Fire Island Saga

From land pirates to the Algonquins to the Revolutionary War, hardly an inch of the Fire Island coast is without a legend. Historians may be skeptical regarding the tales that make up coastal folklore, but these pages contain more than a collection of barrier beach legends—they offer a fresh approach to Fire Island's past. Weaving documents and maps left behind by ordinary people of the time into a dramatic historical narrative, each chapter contributes to a remarkably vivid and exciting portrait Fire Island's heritage.

From land pirates to the Algonquins to the Revolutionary War, hardly an inch of the Fire Island coast is without a legend. Historians may be skeptical regarding the tales that make up coastal folklore, but these pages contain more than a collection of barrier beach legends—they offer a fresh approach to Fire Island's past. Weaving documents and maps left behind by ordinary people of the time into a dramatic historical narrative, each chapter contributes to a remarkably vivid and exciting portrait Fire Island's heritage. Warren McDowell is a historian and folklorist with a deep interest in the legend, lore, and authenticity of Fire Island—how it got its name, its truth, myths, and legends from the Vikings, Dutch, English, and the accounts of modern-day counterparts. Fire Island Saga passes to a new generation of scholars the opportunity to study the events that took place so many years ago and made Fire Island the destination it is today.

Warren McDowell has an educational and business background from Southwest University and Indiana University with a bachelor's and master's degrees. He is a lifelong resident of Fire Island, making his home in Skunk Hollow, Davis Park and wintering on the mainland in Blue Point, Long Island. He is one of the original founders of the Lighthouse Preservation Society in 1980, with 40 years of service. In 1977, he started the Fire Island Tide newspaper. It grew to a 140-page color news magazine with poetry, history, artwork, short stories, and community news. He also served as associate publisher of the "Sag Harbor Express", "Shelter Island Reporter" and publisher/editor of the "Review" newspapers. His historical contributions and photography can be seen today in numerous books written about Fire Island. A decorated member of the United States Army, he also served in the New York Army National Guard. He received three National Defense Medals for Vietnam, Iraqi Freedom, and Desert Storm; the Medal of Valor and Soldiers Medal for heroism; and the New York Defense of Liberty Medal for his service at the World Trade Center "Ground Zero". His military performance totaled 30 years of honorable service.