Wick’s Tavern

Here’s a detailed look at the history of Wick’s Tavern:

🏛 1. Origins & Founder

• John Wick, born around 1661, was a wool weaver-turned-landowner who settled near today’s Bridgehampton crossroads in the late 17th century

• In 1686, John and Temperance Wick constructed and opened Wick’s Tavern (also called Bull’s Head Tavern) at the intersection of East Hampton Path (now Montauk Highway) and Sag Harbor Turnpike/Ocean Road

2. Function and Significance

• This was the only roadside inn in the vicinity, offering lodging, beer, and rum to travelers on this key colonial route

• The tavern served as a militia rendezvous point and stagecoach stop, with local militia drilling on nearby commons and gathering at Wick’s afterward

• During the American Revolution, both American patriots and British troops are known to have used the tavern, which was recognized as a local meeting place for those opposing British rule

3. Evolution Over Time

• Through the 18th and early 19th centuries, the tavern continued under varied ownership and gradually became central to the hamlet—linked to postal services and community life

• As Bridgehampton developed, grand homes like the Topping Rose House (previously known as the Bull’s Head) were built nearby around 1843

4. Final Years & Demolition

• The property was sold to Shell Oil in 1939, and the tavern structure was demolished by 1940–1941 to make way for a gas station

• A historical marker now commemorates the site at 2510 Main Street, Bridgehampton, denoting its colonial origin and Revolutionary-era significance

5. Legacy & Historical Recognition

• The site is noted in the Historic American Buildings Survey and marked by local preservation groups as a historic landmark

• Today, the crossroads near Sag Harbor and Bridgehampton retains legacy through the triangle common, monuments, and preserved historical architecture surrounding the original tavern site

Summary Table

1686 Wick’s Tavern established by John Wick at crossroads

18th c. Served as inn, stagecoach stop, militia gathering, colonial hub

1770s–80s Used during Revolutionary War by both American and British forces

1843 Nearby Greek Revival mansions built (e.g., Topping Rose House)

1939–41 Tavern sold, demolished for gas station

Today Historic marker and recognition remain at site

Wick’s Tavern played a central role in the early settlement and communal life of the Bridgehampton–Sag Harbor corridor. It’s remembered as a pivotal colonial-era social, military, and travel hub, with a legacy preserved through local commemorations.