As summer comes to a close on Long Island, visitors and locals alike try to squeeze in those last days and nights of warm weather at their favorite outdoor spots. As we were having a cocktail recently on the deck of Claudio's Clam Bar in Greenport and watching a sailboat race go by as we turned to that summer breeze, I started to wonder about the history of Greenport and what the end of summer was like in yesteryear! It turns out that Greenport was a Whaling port as far back as the 1800's, but was Claudio there at that time?

As the story goes, from the restaurant's website, a whaler by the name of Manual Claudio, opened up Claudio's Tavern in Greenport in 1870. This tavern's home is now registered as a National Historic Building and the simple tavern has turned into an entertainment haven with its restaurant and bar and is still owned by the Claudio family.

Besides a former whaler, who was Manual Claudio? He was born in 1839 in Fayal, Portugal. He married Ellen Heaney, a native to Ireland. They remained in Greenport throughout their lives where they raised their two sons Frances Joseph (Frank) and William.  Ellen died in 1903 and is buried in the Saint Agnes Cemetery of Greenport.

A small family with humble beginnings grew a waterfront on the Sound in Greenport into a vibrant place for us to enjoy yet another Long Island asset. Long Island thanks you, Claudio family!