History of Sag Harbor, New York in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2026

Sag Harbor is a village located in Suffolk County, New York, situated in both Southampton and East Hampton towns on eastern Long Island. Historically, it thrived as a working port on Gardiners Bay. According to the 2020 census, its population was 2,772.

1915: Opening of George's Theatre

In 1915, George's Theatre opened at 90 Main Street in Sag Harbor. It was the first of four movie theaters to operate at that location.

1919: Purchase of The Sag Harbor Corrector

In 1919, Burton Corwin, owner of the Sag Harbor News, purchased The Sag Harbor Corrector and merged the newspapers into the Sag Harbor News and Corrector.

1938: Steeple of Old Whaler's Church collapses

During the Great Hurricane of 1938, the 185-foot steeple of the Old Whaler's Church in Sag Harbor collapsed. The steeple was the tallest structure on Long Island when it was built in 1843. Although the church has been restored, the steeple has not been rebuilt.

1944: Death of Olivia Ward Bush-Banks

In 1944, poet and educator Olivia Ward Bush-Banks, who was born in Sag Harbor in 1869, died.

1955: John Steinbeck becomes a resident of Sag Harbor

In 1955, writer John Steinbeck took up residence in Sag Harbor, where he would live until his death. During this time, Steinbeck wrote in a small house on his property, including his book, "The Winter of Our Discontent".

1963: WLNG started operating on 1600 AM

In 1963, WLNG radio station started operating on 1600 AM.

1968: Death of John Steinbeck

In 1968, writer John Steinbeck died while residing in Sag Harbor, New York.

1968: Death of Hunter J. Terry

In the late 1960s, Hunter J. Terry, who encouraged the development of Azurest as a peaceful resort for African-Americans, died. By this time, the first homeowners and two more generations had lived there near the beach.

April 1969: WLNG on-the-air on 92.1 FM

WLNG began broadcasting on 92.1 FM in April 1969, after previously operating on 1600 AM from 1963 to 1969.

1978: Theater renamed to Sag Harbor Cinema

In 1978, Glynne's Sag Harbor Theatre changed its name to the Sag Harbor Cinema.

1986: Filming of Sweet Liberty

In 1986, Alan Alda's film "Sweet Liberty" was shot in Sag Harbor.

Loading Video...

1991: Bay Street Theater Founded

In 1991, The Bay Street Theater was founded by Sybil Christopher, Emma Walton Hamilton, and Stephen Hamilton, operating year-round on Long Wharf.

1995: Ray Johnson Suicide

In 1995, pop artist Ray Johnson is believed to have committed suicide at the Sag Harbor-North Haven Bridge.

2000: Census data

According to the census of 2000, there were 2,313 people, 1,120 households, and 583 families residing in the village of Sag Harbor.

September 2002: Spalding Gray attempted suicide at the bridge.

In September 2002, writer and performer Spalding Gray attempted suicide at the Sag Harbor-North Haven Bridge.

October 2003: Spalding Gray attempted suicide at the bridge.

In October 2003, writer and performer Spalding Gray again attempted suicide at the Sag Harbor-North Haven Bridge.

November 2008: Bridge renaming

In November 2008, the Sag Harbor-North Haven Bridge was renamed The LCpl Jordan Haerter Veterans' Memorial Bridge.

2008: Masonic Lodge anniversary

In 2008, the Masonic Lodge (Wamponamon 437) in Sag Harbor celebrated its 150th anniversary.

2011: Stella Maris Regional School Closed

In 2011, Stella Maris Regional School, a Catholic private school based in Sag Harbor, closed.

2014: Change in Sewage Treatment System

By 2014, the village of Sag Harbor was using an ultra-violet system to kill bacteria in sewage, replacing the previous method of using chlorine.

2015: Village Income and Housing Value Statistics

As of 2015, the village's median household income was $100,900, the median per capita income was $63,995, and the value of owner-occupied housing was $918,500 in Sag Harbor.

January 2016: Sag Harbor Oyster operation shuttered

In January 2016, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation ordered the Sag Harbor Harbormaster to shutter the oyster farming operation near the Sag Harbor sewage treatment plant outlet due to the risk of oyster contamination.

May 2016: Sag Harbor School District Purchases Stella Maris Property

In May 2016, voters approved the Sag Harbor Union Free School District's purchase of the Stella Maris Regional School property for $3.3 million from the St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church.

December 16, 2016: Fire destroys Sag Harbor Cinema

On December 16, 2016, a fire broke out and destroyed the Sag Harbor Cinema.

2016: Formation of SANS

In 2016, a collective group called SANS (Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Subdivisions) was formed to study the impacts of investors consolidating lots and planning to build larger houses on the character of the neighborhoods.

July 10, 2019: Listing as Historic District

On July 10, 2019, the Sag Harbor Hills, Azurest, and Ninevah Beach Subdivisions were listed as a Historic District.

2020: Formalization of the Sag Harbor Oyster Club

In 2020, the Sag Harbor Oyster Club was formalized into a 501-3c with the mission of clean water advocacy up and down the East Coast.

2020: Population Census

In 2020, the U.S. Census recorded 2,772 residents in Sag Harbor village.

2020: Sag Harbor population in 2020

In 2020, the population of Sag Harbor, New York, was recorded as 2,772 according to the census.

April 15, 2021: The Church arts center opens

On April 15, 2021, The Church, a non-profit arts center founded by artists Eric Fischl and April Gornik, opened in Sag Harbor. It features an exhibition space and artists residency program.