IMAGE GALLERY

In this section you can view archival and contemporary photographs provided by professional photographers, sandminers and their families and historical resources. They reveal the variety of activities connected with the Port Washington sandmines over time, and the geological basis for the industry's success.

On Location
The following photographs demonstrate the extent of Port Washington's sandmining operations and the glaciation that made Port Washington sands special.

Sandminers at Work
From group portraits to 'on the job' public relations shots, historic and contemporary pictures capture the hard and dangerous labor that was part of the sandminers' daily lives.

Men & Machines
From payloaders to giant drag lines, here are some of the machines that were used everyday in the sandbanks.

At Home in the Sandbanks
Italian immigrants and workers from all around the world came to Port Washington for job opportunities in the industry. Their families came with them or joined them later, setting up small enclaves along the waterfront.

Family Time
Recreational activities at the sandbanks were a combination of traditions from the 'old' country and adaptations to a new way of life.

On The Water
Boats, barges and scows were essential to transporting the sand from Port Washington to New York City and points North. They also provided housing for the captain and crew.

A Business Enterprise
Sandbank owners and business investors thrived in the burgeoning industry that supplied the needs of growing cities, like New York.

Accidents and Danger
Sandmining was heavy, dangerous work. Many miners lost limbs and lives in cave-ins, machinery accidents, explosions and drownings.

Mapping the Past
Culled from a variety of sources, the following maps offer a different perspective on the extent and uses of Long Island's sandmines---for planning, for tourism, for industry.