September 2017 Newsletter

JOHN HODGE of Bayport
By Gene Horton
The following was written by Gene Horton in reference to the talented artist, John Hodge. An exhibit of his work will be on display at Meadow Croft in September and October. The house will be open from 2-4 on weekends for tours. Stop by and view these beautiful pieces of art.



John Hodge was one of the most talented people ever to reside in Bayport, Long Island. He is remembered today primarily as a local folk artist, painter and wood carver. John Hodge was born in New York City in 1868 but spent most of his life in Bayport. In 1889, he joined the New York City police department. He worked at the Eldridge Street Station as a patrolman. However, he decided early-on to give up that job and return to Bayport. Throughout his life, John Hodge’s employment was varied and sporadic; a jack-of-all-trades. At various times, he was an interior and exterior house painter. He also painted outdoor signs. In 1897, he opened a bicycle repair shop in Bayport with Sanford Weeks. He joined the Bayport Fire Department and, in 1898, organized and led a fife & drum corps in the department. John Hodge was musically talented. On August 13, 1900, John Hodge married Elizabeth Bennett of Blue Point. The Bennetts owned and operated a large greenhouse business (on the site of the present Bayport-Blue Point Public Library). However, Elizabeth Bennett’s parents did not approve of their daughter marrying John Hodge. But John and Elizabeth went ahead and were married anyway. Rev. George T. Freeman conducted the 1900 nuptials in Bayport. Sadly, it would not be a happy, bliss-filled marriage, although they did have four children. The marriage had its ups, downs and separations. John and Elizabeth Hodge’s home, now gone, was located on the northeast corner of Fairview Ave. and Academy St. John Hodge, however, would emerge over the years as a super-talented man known especially or his combined painted and carved

works. One particular Bayport establishment, Gene Amann’s Bayport House, became the depository of an extraordinary number of John Hodge’s carved images. Gene Amann had befriended John Hodge and eventually employed him as a handyman. The tap room at the Bayport House became John Hodge’s unofficial showcase…everywhere you looked you could see John Hodge’s work displayed on the walls and hanging from the ceiling: birds and ducks everywhere, geese and birds in flight, fish attracted by a shiny lure, a native American in a canoe spearing salmon, hunting dogs pointing, a deer in flight from a fire, brown trout, a moose, hunters in a canoe…all in 3-D… carved and painted on boards & odd pieces of wood or even on the inside of wooden salad bowls…these were all John Hodge’s subjects and his artist’s focal point. In 1938, through Gene Amann, John Hodge’s work was displayed at the National Sportsmen’s Show in NYC’s Madison Square Garden. The following year, 1939, John Hodge also had samples of his work displayed at the Long Island Exhibit at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows. Sadly, in 1938, Elizabeth Hodge died, aged sixty. She’s buried in the Blue Point Cemetery. In 1942, John Hodge was appointed a uniformed ‘special constable’ by the Islip Town Board. Later, he was a crossing guard at Bayport High School. John Hodge continued to carve and paint even as his health began to fail. By 1955, he entered the Firemen’s Home in Hudson, NY due to ill-health. John Hodge died at Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson on June 19, 1957 at the age of 89. He’s buried in the Firemen’s Cemetery in Hudson, NY.
So, if you’re lucky enough to own “a John Hodge,” treasure it!

The BHA has sponsored an Autumn House Tour showcasing the beautiful homes of residents in both Bayport and Blue Point. This year is no exception! We already have commitments from our neighbors and friends for 6 homes which will make this years tour outstanding! The date of the tour will be October 22nd and tickets will be available mid-September. Learn about local history and view 6 lovely historic homes. Meadow Croft will be serving refreshments and tours of this home will be available.
Please note that out of respect for the homeowners, children under 12, high heels, food or drink, and cameras will not be permitted. Tickets are on sale for $ 30.00 and can be purchased at Bayport Flower Houses, BBP Library and Century 21 Bay’s Edge Realty on Main Street in Sayville. The tour will start at 1:00 and end at 5:00. If you are willing to help please call or email us. Contact information found below.
There are a limited number of tickets so purchase them early so you will not miss out. Looking forward to another wonderful BHA event!