New Dorp Beach on Staten Island in Richmond County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Elm Tree Light
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2018
1. Elm Tree Light wayside
Approaching port, a skipper has to contend with rocks, tides, shoals and vessels suddenly looming out of the fog Land seems to crowd in on either side.
An immense elm tree stood at the foot of New Dorp Lane, according to a 1797 map. Ships entering or leaving New York Harbor would sight on the tree to get their bearings. Because of erosion, the actual Elm Tree site now lies out in the water one hundred feet from here.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1797.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 34.101′ N, 74° 5.695′ W. Marker was on Staten Island, New York, in Richmond County. It was in New Dorp Beach. It could be reached from Miller Field service road north of New Dorp Lane. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: Miller Field, Staten Island NY 10306, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in New York City. It was also in the American
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: 102nd Observation Squadron (a few steps from this marker); New Dorp Beach Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Midland Beach Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Corporal Allan F. Kivlehan Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); New Dorp WWII Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); Michael H. Ollis Memorial (approx. 1.1 miles away); SSG Michael Ollis (approx. 1.1 miles away); "The Rescue" (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staten Island.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Miller Field (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The marker was near the Miller Field Park Headquarters building. Parts of the text were in very poor to unreadable condition. Those substantial concrete supports have been removed, making it very unlikely that this will
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 8, 2018
2. Elm Tree Light wayside site
The Miller Field park headquarters building.
Also see . . . Elm Tree Lighthouse. Lighthouse Friends entry (Submitted on November 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 31, 2020
3. The original Elm Tree Light
On the then-Vanderbilt farm in the early 1900s, before the construction of Miller Field.
Photographed by Larry Gertner
4. Elm Tree Light
The old and new lights.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 16, 2017
5. Present-day Elm Tree Light
On top is what remains of the aircraft beacon that projected straight up.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 12, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
