Our memories & East Deck family photographs


Family Resort On the Ocean Beach

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Some East Deck History

The East Deck Motel, has quite an interesting history of which few are aware. In fact, even the most seasoned veterans who've been patronizing the East Deck for years would be shocked to learn how we came about. It began in the late 1940's. Sam Cox, the original owner and operator, had visited Montauk for many years and realized the necessity for accommodations so that others could discover the beauty of Montauk for themselves. So in 1955, he teamed up with Fred Houseknecht, his son-in-law and local builder, to construct a number of self sufficient, one bedroom apartments. These structures were originally intended to line the northern coast of Montauk facing Connecticut. So the two craftsman went to work and completed the job by the summer of 1956. These apartments thrived for one summer, however their existence was short-lived. In 1957, a severe storm swept the eastern coast of Long Island and literally blew these little houses down. Surprisingly enough however, many of the structures were still in tact, but not where they used to be. So, determined to salvage his business, Sam rented a flat bed semi, loaded all the existing buildings up, and transported them to the present location where you see the East Deck today, in an area called Ditch Plains. But by the time the 1960's rolled around the popularity of Montauk was catching on and it was time to expand. So Sam made one phone call to his son-in-law and they were back at it again. This time to connect each of the structures into the "L" shape that you see today. Since then, the East Deck has been handed down through the family and improved. But every time you stare out of one of the large picture windows toward the Atlantic, just think what it would have been like a half century ago.

Some of our memories in family photographs