Tue, 05 May 2026 04:26:29 +0000

Sands Point Preserve Exposes the Forgotten Past You Were Meant to Know Nestled along the northern shore of Long Island, Sands Point Preserve isn’t just a scenic haven of salt marshes, woodlands, and dramatic coastal cliffs—it’s a living archive of American history. Behind its lush trails and protected dunes lies a forgotten chapter of the past, revealing secrets of wealth, power, maritime innovation, and environmental struggle. This preserved landscape invites visitors to rediscover the soul of a region long overshadowed by modern development. ### A Relic of Industrial Elite Power Sands Point’s hidden story begins in the Gilded Age, when sprawling estates dotted the North Shore. Among the most remarkable remnants is Sands Point Mansion, once the opulent winter retreat of railroad tycoon William Ranlet Powers in the late 19th century. The mansion’s dramatic Italianate architecture, overlooking Long Island Sound, once symbolized the heights of Gilded Age extravagance. But beyond its grandeur lies a deeper narrative: the intersection of wealth, industry, and social hierarchy during America’s industrial boom.