Slipping through time, let’s journey back to the colonial era. Motts Basin whispers tales of a prominent family, the Motts, whose name echoes not only across this tranquil bay but also through Mott Avenue and Motts Creek. Motts Basin, nestled within Jamaica Bay’s embrace, once witnessed the comings and goings of a grand manor at Motts Point. This mansion, a relic of a bygone era, graced the 1924 aerial surveys with its sprawling gardens and expansive lawns overlooking the shimmering waters. The 1912 Sanborn atlas even reveals the phantom mansion’s floorplan, hinting at the possibility of resurrecting its Victorian charm. Motts Basin has seen the transformation of the surrounding landscape. Suburbanization replaced sprawling estates with modest homes, and the roar of airplanes from nearby Idlewild Airport, later renamed JFK, filled the air. Even the mansion at Motts Point succumbed to time, demolished in 1988, leaving only concrete outlines in the grass as a ghostly reminder of its grandeur. The area around Motts Basin has a rich history, intertwined with the Mott family’s legacy. Their name is etched into the very fabric of this place, a testament to their influence and presence. From the colonial era to the rise of air travel, Motts Basin has borne witness to the ebb and flow of time, its waters reflecting the changing face of the Rockaways.
Gould Family Mausoleum
Ever heard of a “Robber Baron?” Here at Woodlawn Cemetery stands the Gould Family Mausoleum. It is a testament to