James S. Casey’s cottage and photography studio, Fishers Island, N.Y., circa 1918. This cottage is today painted a distinctive blue and sits at the base of the hill across from the former Grebe/Stern house.
James S. Casey: Fishers Island’s First Resident Photographer
James S. Casey, Fishers Island’s first resident photographer, lived in and worked out of the cottage pictured here from the late 1870s until his death in 1918. However, most of his surviving photographs date from the 1890s. Note the “Photographers” tin sign on roof at right, and the “For Sale” sign near the front door. After his death, his equipment and glass negatives were bought out by G.L. Thompson who operated his studio out of today’s Gold ‘n Silver Shop, then known as the Photographer’s Building. Mr. Thompson published many of Mr. Casey’s photographs as postcards under the G.L. Thompson name.
(All photos by Mr. Casey)
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- Frank B. Weeks house (today Peishoff) overlooking West Harbor, Fishers Island, N.Y., circa 1890s.
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- S.S. Munnatawket ferry and sailboats at Munnatawket Dock, Fishers Island, N.Y., c. 1890s.
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- The Mononotto Inn, Fishers Island N.Y., September 1893
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- Exterior of North Dumpling Light and its adjacent Bell Tower, 1895.
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- Pond, Bell Tower and buildings, south shore North Dumpling Island, 1895.
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- Lyles Cottage, Fishers Island, N.Y., August 1, 1893. The barn structure that is today’s Red Barn Gallery is prominently featured in lower right with the Episcopal Church in background. The Lyles Cottage barn was originally positioned across from today’s Firehouse location.
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- Island Pond (Oyster Pond) with stone wall in foreground, circa 1893.
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- Unidentified family group portrait in front of house, circa 1890s.
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- Houses along Hedge Street as seen from water, Fishers Island, N.Y., July 1901.
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- Bath Houses and Bathing Pavilion (Circa 1895) Photograph by James S. Casey.
