Closing Bell: Meet the Man Who Is Saving Far Rockaway's Bungalows

Far Rockaway’s historic beach bungalows are a bit of an endangered species. The modest two and three bedroom, one story homes were designed by Henry Hohauser who went on to design several prominent art deco buildings in South Beach. About 7,000 of these bungalows were built in their heyday as a working-class refuge from the city. Today only about 100 remain. Richard George moved to the area in 1981 and quickly became involved in the fledgling preservation movement there. He joined the Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association and soon became its president. He told the Times Ledger, ‘”I saw the importance of preserving a part of not only Rockaway’s cultural legacy associated with the past recreational resources of our coastal area, but also a part of Rockaway and America’s history of the early 20th century.”‘ George has been responsible for helping to get the Beach Bungalow Historic District on the State and National Register of Historic Places and changes to zoning rules to preserve ocean views and public beach access. He has filed multiple lawsuits against developers to halt demolition of remaining buildings, arguing cases in court himself. And he is pushing to get city landmark status for the buildings and the neighborhood.

Far Rock Man Stands up for Bungalows [Times Ledger]

Photo: Beachside Bungalow Preservation Association