Henry was deeply affected by the death of his wife, Mary Harkness Flagler, in 1881. Mary had always been sickly, and Henry's work building Standard Oil in New York kept him away from home frequently. Their son Harry was just 11 years old, and with Mary gone, Henry felt the need to be there for him more than ever. To be closer to his family, Henry rented a beach house situated on 28 acres on Orient Point in Mamaroneck, New York, which was a short distance from New York City. He seemingly hoped this country home on the waterfront could be a respite for his family. He purchased it the following year.
The home was called "Satanstoe" and sometimes "Lawn Beach".
It is often mentioned that it may have been named after the novel "Satanstoe" by James Fenimore Cooper set in 18th century New York. The story follows the life of Mordaunt Littlepage, a young man who inherits land on the Hudson River from his father. Mordaunt is torn between his love for his childhood sweetheart, Alida, and his desire to explore the world and make his own way. Along the way, he became involved in various adventures and conflicts, including a dispute over land ownership with a neighboring family and the American Revolution. The novel explores themes of family, loyalty, love, and patriotism.
His second wife Ida Alice spent time here along with Harry and the staff.
They also frequented Newport, Rhode Island when they sailed Henry's yacht, the Alicia there. The Alicia was named after Ida Alice.
After Henry Flagler passed away, his wife Mary Lily inherited his property, including Satanstoe, Whitehall in Palm Beach, and Kirkside in St. Augustine. Upon Mary Lily's passing, just four years later, Mary Lily's niece, Louise Wise Lewis, inherited these properties. Louise then sold Satanstoe to film director DW Griffith, who filmed several important movies there, including "Way Down East" and "Orphans of the Storm," both starring the Gish sisters. To film "Orphans," Griffith recreated 18th-century Paris on Satan's Toe and used hundreds of residents as extras.
Here are some photos of Satanstoe from the early 1900s.
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