Southport at Twilight

A light, northwesterly wind urges the "Mary Elizabeth" into port at Southport Harbor where she returns from New York. Originally built as a sloop, the "Mary Elizabeth" was re-rigged as a schooner in 1884. The two brick structures, the Banks and Jelliff buildings, are the present day Pequot Yacht Club buildings. In 1890, however, the Bank Building (foreground) housed a grocery store, saloon, offices and storage space. The Jelliff Building was home to a hardware business.

Southport was busiest during the fall and winter months; local produce would be harvested and warehoused in the buildings lining the harborside. Several sailing vessels, like the "Mary Elizabeth," would sail from Southport to New York weekly.

But by 1890, the "Mary Elizabeth" was one of only a few boats still active in the trade. The railroad, which had gone through in 1848, signaled the end of the coasting trade.