In response to the Madison Beach Preservation Association and its desire to preserve a “peaceful and idyllic shoreline,” it is important to take the Grassy Strip and Madison Beach Hotel events in appropriate context as we all work to build a vibrant shoreline community that strives for a balanced and successful future.

For those who long for peaceful and idyllic, the way it used to be, the Madison Historical Society offers some valuable reminders of our past.

Salt hay was harvested along the rivers. Lumber was harvested for home construction, fuel, ship timber, mills, a bog iron furnace, charcoal production, tanneries, and multiple shoe-making shops.

Vessels at fish pounds off Hammonasset could haul-net as many as 200,000 fish a day. Porpoise skins were tanned, the fat was rendered, and the remains were sold for fertilizer at a porpoise fishery. Abraham Chittenden built a wharf on the East River. Jonathan Bassett had a yard in the Neck and Captain Abel Hoyt built ships at West Wharf. East Wharf was the most active shipbuilding area, and Ichabod Scranton and Charles Miner each had shipyards there.

Twenty-seven kinds of vessels were constructed from Madison timber; 75 sloops, brigs, and barques were built at East Wharf alone. These vessels would run molasses, sugar, and rum to the West Indies. Other ships carried cargoes of produce, livestock, and hay to New York. The wharves were profitable places for shipping and shipbuilding.

We have a pretty good balance of activities and development right now. There will always be some tension, but a few concerts or weddings are good for the community spirit and pale in comparison to our past events on the shoreline. Play on!

Gary Rogers

Madison