A study of the times and life in Southampton New York between 1870 and 1900.This book concerns the emergence and impact of the summer colony in the village of Southampton New York between the years 1870 and 1900 particularly the often fraught relations between the areas wealthy resort population and its yearround residents. Essentially a study in social change and conflict the book revolves around a number of key issues that preoccupied inhabitants and summer residents alike and were the subject of great controversy at the time including beach rights oyster farming in Mecox Bay and the loss of the Shinnecock Hills first by the Native American inhabitants and then by the town itself to outside developers. Due consideration is given to those individuals who played major roles in these disputes.