Jamesport welcomes newcomers to its wineries, farms and waterfront
Homes facing the Peconic Bay off South Jamesport Avenue. Credit: Randee Daddona
THE SCOOP
Known as a gateway to the North Fork and Long Island wine country, Jamesport is notable because it’s still mostly farmland, drawing visitors to its wineries and vineyards, and for pumpkin and apple picking. "It’s also adjacent to Great Peconic Bay, so you have all these wonderful marine resources, great places to kayak and sail and fish," says Richard Wines, chair of the Riverhead Landmarks Preservation Commission. "It’s a quaint, more low-key environment" than the Hamptons, he adds.
One of Jamesport's several marinas. Credit: Randee Daddona
Jamesport has no shopping centers — they’re not allowed per Town of Riverhead code — and most of the businesses are connected to agriculture. Route 25, the main road, has a handful of restaurants and antiques shops. The town has created zoning for Route 25 to ensure that new buildings either serve rural functions or look rural in design.
Shops on Main Road, or Route 25, which is zoned to retain its low-key look. Credit: Randee Daddona
The biggest challenge facing the community, as for many towns on the North Fork, is securing money from Suffolk County and working with local organizations to preserve open space, says Liz O'Shaughnessy, executive director of the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce.
Outdoor seating for wine tasting and dining at Jamesport Vineyards/Little Oak Wood-Fired Kitchen. Credit: Randee Daddona
Jamesport was named for James Tuthill, who settled in the area in 1833 and tried to establish a commercial whaling and shipping wharf on the bay. While the industry didn’t thrive because the bay was too shallow to accommodate ships, many of the original whaling houses remain. Today’s eclectic mix of architecture also includes homes from the 1700s, humble bungalows built by scallopers and oystermen in the early 1900s, Victorian and Greek revival styles and ranch houses from the 1950s. Prices range from around $550,000 to $1.2 million, some with annual taxes under $10,000.
The Jamesport Meeting House, built in 1731, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Credit: Randee Daddona
Wines, who is also president of the Jamesport Meeting House, built in 1731 and considered the oldest public building on the East End, says that some of the smaller, older homes by the beach are being torn down and replaced. "There are lots of families like mine that have been here for a century or more," says Wines, whose family has owned property in Jamesport since the 1600s, "but I also see it as an area that certainly welcomes newcomers."
Homes along Peconic Bay Boulevard. Credit: Randee Daddona
CONDOS AND CO-COPS There is one condo on the market, for $1.225 million.
SALE PRICES Between Sept. 30, 2020, and Oct. 1, 2021, there were 52 home sales with a median sale price of $650,000, according to OneKey MLS. The low price for that period was $290,000 and the high was $3.325 million. During that period a year earlier there were 28 home sales with a median sale price of $538,000. The price range was $369,000 to $995,000.
OTHER STATS
Town Riverhead
Area 4.5 square miles
ZIP code 11947
Population 1,609
Median age 59.1
Median household income $99,167
Median home value $712,500*
Monthly LIRR ticket from Riverhead $500
School districts, graduation rate Riverhead (76%), Mattituck-Cutchogue (93%)
Parks Miamogue Point Park, South Jamesport Beach
Libraries Riverhead, Mattituck-Laurel
Hospital Peconic Bay Medical Center
SOURCES: 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; OneKey MLS; LIRR, data.nysed.gov *Based on 27 sales in the past six months, according to OneKey MLS
NOW ON THE MARKET
Priced at $1.399 million, this 5,000-square-foot farmhouse on Main Road features an open layout and family room with fireplace. Credit: Rob Cuni
$1.399 million
Sitting on nearly 5 acres, this 5,000-square-foot farmhouse built in 1988 has two en-suite primary bedrooms, two other bedrooms and 3½ baths. There’s a center foyer, formal living room and dining room, family room with fireplace, and an office/mud room with separate entrance. There are also six greenhouses on the property. Taxes are $23,771. Cathi Durler, Realty Connect USA, 631-881-5160.
Priced at $749,000 this three-bedroom, three-bath ranch on Pier Avenue is near several beaches. Credit: VHT Studios
$749,000
This country ranch on 0.89 acres is near Sound Beach. Built in 1985, the home has 2,059 square feet of living space, with a large living room, formal dining room, three bedrooms and three baths. It also has a full basement, attached two-car garage and a laundry room on the first floor. Taxes are $13,028. Carll Austin, Colony Realty, 631-722-5800.
Priced at $609,000 this three-bedroom, two-bath log-style home on Peconic Bay Boulevard is near the beach. Credit: VHT Studios
$609,000
With an open floor plan, this log-style house built in 1987, sits on a level, landscaped 0.48-acre lot with a porch and detached garage-shop. The 1,420-square-foot home has three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a dry full basement with egress and an outdoor shower. Taxes are $9,280. Robert Pace and George Fields, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 631-298-8000.
RECENTLY SOLD
$1.35 million
Address Seacove Ln.
Style Two-story
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 3
Built 1998
Lot size 0.48 acre
Taxes $16,274
+/- list price +$50,000
Days on market 135
$950,000
Address Pier Ave.
Style Mediterranean
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 3½
Built 2005
Lot size 0.52 acre
Taxes $14,976
+/- list price -$49,000
Days on market 154
$675,000
Address Stoll Dr.
Style Ranch
Bedrooms 3
Bathrooms 2
Built 2000
Lot size 0.92 acre
Taxes $10,161
+/- list price +$76,000
Days on market 108
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 10
Price range $559,000 to $1.925 million
Tax range $8,928 to $23,771
