devon yacht club new york

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Is This Wooded Enclave the Best-Kept Secret in the Hamptons?

• Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later. More content below

Tucked away from the opulent seafood towers at Le Bilboquet in Sag Harbor, The Surf Lodge’s famously raucous summer soirees in Montauk, and the designer boutiques in downtown East Hampton is a quiet, under-the-radar enclave in the Amagansett North area that is known to those in the know as Devon Colony. Among its laid-back charms are its tiny, no-frills downtown area and its 116-year-old yacht club, its swathes of preserved agricultural land, its authentic fish markets, and historic residences.

Devon Colony, between East Hampton and Amagansett, was founded in 1908 by four wealthy businessmen from Cincinnati: William Cooper Procter (of Procter & Gamble), Richmond Levering (of Lever Brothers), Joseph Rawn, and William Rowe. The men first came across the area during a hunting trip—back then, hunting was common on the East End of Long Island—and they eventually acquired 1,000 acres in the Amagansett Highlands, where they built a cluster of homes they used as their summer residences.

More from Robb Report

This $5 Million L.A. Home Is a Rare Opportunity to Own an Architecture Icon's Personal Residence

Rapper Lil Dicky Splashes Out Millions for Kenny G's Longtime L.A. Compound

You Can Rent Midcentury Architect Philip Johnson's Wolfhouse on Airbnb

The enclave was one of the first gated communities in the Hamptons, but because Procter & Gamble’s soap sales helped pay for the homes within Devon Colony, it initially garnered a contemptuous reputation among some of the more high-brow Hamptonites as “Soap Hill.” The foursome also founded the still-standing Devon Yacht Club, which includes a small private marina.

Mickey, Marilyn, McCartney

“Devon Colony is tucked between Napeague Bay and the Atlantic Ocean; it’s much less crowded than the lanes or dunes of Amagansett,” says Martha Gundersen, a listing agent with Douglas Elliman in the Hamptons. “What people love about it are big plots of land surrounded by the Peconic Land Trust, which is state-owned land. There are 500 acres of New York State land that will remain undeveloped that surround Cranberry Hole Road, which is where many of the homes are. Many successful people seeking an under-the-radar destination own here, including [Galaxy CEO] Michael Novogratz, businessman Mickey Drexler, and entrepreneur Fouad Chartouni, among others.”

Those “others” include Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Randy Lerner, and, on occasion, high-profile renters like Bill and Hillary Clinton; in the 1950s, Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller shacked up for a short time a charming cottage converted from a windmill. Still, despite its history of illustrious residents, Devon Colony has largely remained an unheralded hideaway, with neither a Chanel boutique nor a Sant Ambroeus cafe within miles.

More Elbow Room, More Privacy

“For as long Devon Colony has existed, people have taken the environment into consideration,” Gunderson says. “People come out here to enjoy the bird life and slow-paced living. A certain caliber of people don’t just want a house, they want land, privacy, and to be a part of the community. You’ll see Paul McCartney on his boat driving past, you’ll see Randy Lerner downtown.”

Gunderson goes on to say that once people get a feel for the landscape of the Hamptons and discover Devon Colony, it appeals because “there’s more elbow room and a more laid-back, less-crowded atmosphere,” she explains. Situated within the elevated Amagansett Highlands, Devon Colony has far-reaching views of Gardiners Bay, the ocean, and the surrounding land. Situated within thickets of forest, horse farms, and farmland, the lack of development is thanks to the large amount of preserved land.

Over the years, Devon Colony has also become known to design- and architecture-loving locals for its historic homes and picturesque gardens. Indeed, homes in Devon Colony are regularly included on the East Hampton House and Garden Tour that’s put on annually by the East Hampton Historical Society.

Yesterday’s Traditions, Today

When the men from Cincinnati built their homes for their families, they crafted four grand stucco mansions and one shingle-style home, which were originally known as ‘the cottages.’ The families tapped Cincinnati-based architectural firm Tietig and Lee to create the Italianate villa-style homes with English-style perennial gardens. This stucco-over-concrete style was unusual for the Hamptons at the time. Not just that, but these homes rivaled the size of other famed mansions in Long Island’s blue-blooded Gold Coast, particularly those in Oyster Bay and Cold Spring Harbor.

All five of the original homes are still standing, though they’ve had extensive renovations and alterations. Many of the homes have remained in the same families since they were built. The Levering house was last sold in 2018 for $8.75 million to its current owner.

At the heart of the community is the Devon Yacht Club, which has remained largely unchanged since its founding in 1908, and that’s just the way members like it. Situated along Gardiner’s Bay, the club has long been popular as a family-friendly club that hosts kids’ sailing and tennis lessons. It’s also one of the few private members’ clubs that still holds old-school traditions true; a dress code is enforced throughout, from the beach to the dining room and the tennis courts. “They still shoot off a cannon at sundown,” says Paul Brennan, a listing agent with Douglas Elliman, who lives and works in the area.

Putting Down Roots

At a time when the Hamptons real estate prices are skyrocketing—and bidding wars have reached an all-time high—agents are seeing increased interest from buyers seeking close proximity to their favorite Hamptons hotspots and the beach, yet with more land, lower taxes, and additional privacy.

Among the current offerings is a brand-new, $5 million modern farmhouse-style estate that sits on three quarters of an acre directly across from a 30-acre preserve and an eight-bedroom residence on two acres that’s just five minutes from the beach and priced at $11.7 million . And just south of Montauk Highway, another new build, a 12,400-square-foot spread that borders the golf course of South Fork Country Club and isn’t too far from the popular Amber Waves Farm, Market, and Cafe, is on the market for $14.75 million .

“The thing that attracts me the most—and I think the thing that attracts people like the Randy Lerners and Mickey Drexlers of the world, is that they can step onto the public bay beaches and swim, kayak, and paddleboard without anyone bothering them,” Gunderson says. “It offers clean air and a quiet life.”

A world apart in many ways, Devon Colony is also convenient to the farm stands in Amagansett, downtown East Hampton and popular hot spots like the Stephen Talkhouse music venue. For many modern buyers, the solitude of the forested land and the working farms might not appeal. But once you get accustomed to the open spaces and slower pace of living, it’s pretty hard to leave.

Best of Robb Report

The 10 Priciest Neighborhoods in America (And How They Got to Be That Way)

In Pictures: Most Expensive Properties

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter . For the latest news, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

Click here to read the full article.

Recommended Stories

Nfl free agency good, bad and ugly: how has your favorite team done so far.

Which teams should be most excited after a week of NFL free agency?

Pass or Fail: Houston Texans show off new road uniforms after Reddit leak

Texans CEO and Chairman Cal McNair took to Reddit to show off one of the team's new uniform combinations in response to a leak.

Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards throws down ridiculous dunk of the year over John Collins in win vs. Jazz

John Collins got put on a wild poster on Monday night, and had to leave the game due to a head injury.

A 15-year problem that has plagued corporate America is finally turning around

Productivity is rebounding after 15 years of no gains. That could help drive stocks higher.

Shohei Ohtani posts first photo with wife ahead of Dodgers' trip to South Korea

Ohtani's wife is former Japanese basketball player Mamiko Tanaka.

Baker Mayfield gets called 'a 10 on the pr--- scale' by Bucs GM, then thanks him: 'I'll take that'

Baker took it as a compliment, even though it didn't really sound like one.

2024 Fantasy Baseball: Jackson Holliday leads 5 key draft sleepers from the infield

Dalton Del Don examines potential draft values with the upside to make a difference in fantasy baseball leagues.

Fed's inflation fight will affect housing supply for decades, says Redfin CEO

The housing market is showing signs of a recovery, but Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman warns higher rates will affect the housing sector for decades.

Russell Wilson's hurried deal with Steelers may say a lot about his intentions, and Pittsburgh's

Wilson's announced deal with Pittsburgh went down before free agency even began. Why were both sides so quick to link up?

LB Leighton Vander Esch medically retires at age 28; Jerry Jones 'proud' he played for Cowboys

Recurrent neck issues have ended Leighton Vander Esch's career after just six seasons.

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Browse by Category

• Coach of the Year
• High School Sailing Team of the Year
• Optimist Sailor of the Year
• Sailing Fitness
• Regatta News/Results
• Boat Speed/Tuning/Sailtrim Articles
• General Sailing News
• Coaches Locker Room
• From the Experts
• Profiles in Pro Sailing
• Featured Jobs
• Marketplace Ads
• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Sail1Design

First Name*

Email Address*

Club Profile: Devon Yacht Club

March 19, 2015 by Sail1Design Editor 1 Comment

Reader Interactions

March 12, 2017 at 08:38

I have a second place trophy which is sterling silver, that was won by my grandfather John H. Beebe, his father Howard W. Beebe, and a Sturtevant Erdmann, which was presented by E. Clifford Potter on September 15, 1917. ‘Devon Yacht Club, One Design Class, Special Handicap Race – whatever that means.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

By submitting this form, you accept the Mollom privacy policy .

One Design Classes

Browse the airwaves.

• Sailing News Articles
• High School & College News Articles
• One-Design Class Profiles
• Tactics & Strategy
• Sailing & Education
• ICSA Rankings
• Sailing/Yacht Club Profiles
• Youth Sailor of the Year
• Sail1Design Annual Awards

Helpful Links

• Join the S1D Team
• Accessibility Help
• Privacy Policy
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

• YACHT DESIGN
• YACHT MARKET
• YACHT CLUBS
• YACHT HOTELS
• CHARTER YACHTS
• YACHT SHOWS
• REGATTAS & RACES
• YACHT ACCESSORIES
• YACHT APPAREL
• SAILOR GUIDE

Devon Yacht Club

Devon is dedicated to family, friendship and community and seeks to encourage and promote the sport of yachting, the science of seamanship and navigation as well as the sport of tennis.

Established as the Gardiner’s Bay Boat Club in 1908, the Devon Yacht Club, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of New York on November 8, 1916, on land provided by the Gardiner’s Bay Company. Founding members who had been active in the original boat club included William S. Rowe, Colonel William Cooper Proctor, Joseph Rawson, and Richmond Levering.

For more than a century our members have raced and sailed for pleasure in the southeast portion of Gardiner’s Bay, one of the finest sailing venues on the east coast. These protected waters with steady breezes are also ideal for youth instruction and since 1934 the Club has conducted its summer sailing program for children age 5-16. In addition to sailing, Devon offers outstanding tennis and bridge programs and a beautiful setting for dining overlooking Gardiner’s Bay.

Contact Info

300 Abrahams Landing Rd, Amagansett, NY 11930, United States

Phone: 1 631-267-6340

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.devonyc.com

OceanShaker.com is a treasure chest of information for people who really "dig" yachts. We believe our project will be a real concoction of beautiful yachts, fresh news, ocean winds and, of course, adventures.

Contact us: [email protected]

© Copyright 2023 - Oceanshaker.com

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share through email

The Early Days of the Devon Yacht Club

The Devon Boat Club, shown in this postcard, may refer to either the Devon Yacht Club or the precursor Boat Club on the same site, established by the Devon Colony as part of the Gardiner's Bay Company buildings. Despite the evolution of names and growth in members, the structure still largely resembles the one built in 1908.

The club's early years benefited greatly from the Devon Colony, a group of families from Ohio who came to East Hampton annually starting in 1908. In 1916, members of the Gardiner's Bay Company, as they called themselves, Richmond Levering, William S. Rowe, William Cooper Procter, and Joseph Rawson, founded a new yacht club, expanding the existing small yacht club established by their families as part of the Devon Colony. 

During the yacht club's early years, the Devon Colony's founders played key roles on the board and provided financial support. Under a 10-year agreement, the colony leased the Gardiner's Bay building and five acres of land to the Devon Yacht Club for $1.

With a strong focus on sporting activities, the Devon Colony families provided reliable participants for the club's tennis matches and sailing races. Beginning in 1934, the Devon Yacht Club offered sailing lessons for children. In one written remembrance, George McAuliffe fondly recalled his childhood sailing lessons there, detailing races and boating excursions, his fellow students, celebrities and socialites, and even the meals. The reader almost tastes the cinnamon toast and cocoa McAuliffe and his fellow sailing students would warm up with on particularly cold days. 

McAuliffe gave credit for Devon's inspiring educational program to Rear Commodore Dixon B. Potter, who ran a school in Tucson, Ariz. The glamorous social life clearly left an impression.

Devon may be best known locally as the sponsor of an annual fireworks show, a casualty of this year's coronavirus cancellations, but the century-old boat club continues to sail this summer.

Andrea Meyer is the head of the East Hampton Library's Long Island Collection. Questions or suggestions can be emailed to her at [email protected] . 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.

Subscribe to The Star

Copyright © 1996-2024 The East Hampton Star. All rights reserved. 

• Police & Courts
• Classifieds
• Noticias en Español
• East Magazine
• Garden & Home
• Change Password
• Make a Donation
• Summer Academy
• Weekly Top Stories by Email
• Work at The Star

• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Boats for sale

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

DEVON YACHT CLUB SCENE OF GAYETY; Large Crowd of East Hampton Colony Sees Boat Races on Gardiner's Bay

Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.

• July 12, 1937

The Devon Yacht Club on Gardiner's Bay has been a favorite resort, these torrid days, for out-ofdoor lunching and dining and watching the boat races, which are held two days each week. View Full Article in Timesmachine »

Devon Yacht Club

Bookmark details, about the company.

Amagansett, NY

The Devon Yacht Club is a private, member owned yacht club located on the shores of Gardiner’s Bay in Amagansett, New York.

Established as the Gardiner’s Bay Boat Club in 1908, the Devon Yacht Club, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of New York on November 8, 1916, on land provided by the Gardiner’s Bay Company.

Company Overview

Job quick search.

Nearby Communities

• Montauk, NY
• Southampton, NY
• North Fork, NY
• New London, CT
• Waterford, CT
• Stonington-Mystic, CT
• The Lymes, CT
• Westerly, RI
• Ledyard, CT

State Edition

National edition.

• Top National News
• See All Communities

East Hampton | Local Event

Devon yacht club fireworks.

Event Details

A beloved Amagansett event. Although the event is private, watch from Fresh Pond Beach.

Rain date July 2.

More Upcoming Events

Local event, toddler & teeny steam (ages 18mos-prek).

Tuesday, 10:30 am East Hampton, NY

Surprise Science (ages 5-12)

Tuesday, 3:45 pm East Hampton, NY

Pink Hamantash Bake

Tuesday, 7:00 pm East Hampton, NY

North Greenland WindSled Expeditions (A Free, Virtual Lecture)

Wednesday, 2:00 pm East Hampton, NY

East End Libraries Present: The Roosevelt Women: Exceptional Ladies of New York State (via Zoom)

Wednesday, 7:00 pm East Hampton, NY

Toddler & Teeny Tumbling with Rachel Haab (ages 18mos - 3yrs)

Thursday, 10:30 am East Hampton, NY

LILPA Presents: Weight Loss – Are Medications the Solution? (Via ZOOM)

Thursday, 12:00 pm East Hampton, NY

Member Login Instructions

Member login.

• Forgot username or password?
• Don't have an account? Come join 159,421 other players and register now! Register

Devon Yacht Club

Discussions, activities underway nearby, most active players nearby, other courts nearby, court event calendar.

Court Reviews

Court media, see more on gtn.

Advanced Search »

• Don't have an account? Register Now

Visit our Help Center to find the answers.

Devon Yacht Club, Inc.

106 year old private yacht club on Eastern Long Island, NY in the hamptons.

On the water, Eastern Long Island, NY. Town before Montauk. "The Hamptons"

Jobs in the Spotlight

Amagansett, New York

Sous Chef to Summer In The Hamptons at Private Yacht Club - Free Housing, Free Meals & Bonus!

Staff Meal Cook for Summer 2024 in the Hamptons on Eastern Long Island