ABOUT ROCKY POINT

“A marine view as picturesque as any that can be found in the world - a little beach of solid stone, a little bay, a slender rocky peninsula, and a lighthouse in the distance, all properly combined with passing boats to suggest the charm of the great ocean.”

Written by Edward Bigelow, publisher of The Guide to Nature, as he looked out over the waters of Long Island Sound from Rocky Point in 1927.

A brief history...

William W. Schofield, with grand plans for the whole Rocky Point – Meadowbank area, was the founder. The Rocky Point Bathes opened June 1st 1927.

“The beach development is, as claimed by local real estate agents, the best in the world.’ Skilled engineering and enormous expenditures for several years have brought it to marvelous perfection in beauty, comfort, and convenience”. E.F. Bigelow

Scholfield weathered the Great Depression of the 30’s and the Great Hurricane of 1938, but by 1940, with the threat of war looming, he offered to sell Rocky to the Town of Greenwich for $100,000. His offer was rejected in favor of the 147 acre Tod’s Point property. Foreclosure procedures were completed on December 15, 1941. Mortgage holders kept Rocky open the next summer and tried to promote the use of the club.

On April 23, 1943, John Hazen White bought Rocky Point Club for $35,000. 

Happy and John White owned the club until 1953. They felt strongly that it should be a family – oriented club with no dining room or bar. They wanted most of the activities planned for children who wanted to learn to sail. They were adamant that they would never let Rocky become “ Just a parking place for kids.” 

On November 24, 1950, a hurricane flattened Rocky, the club virtually disappeared. The first reaction was shock;  the second was to “go get the wood.” The members rebuilt the club.  A rigorous schedule was set up for the four shifts each weekend from early December until opening day.

In 1953 Rocky was incorporated and in 1954 the White family sold Rocky to the members. The purchase price was $79,088.00. The property at the end of Meadowbank was offered for $15,000 but after considerable deliberation and controversy, the offer was turned down. There were members who feared Rocky might get “grand ideas.”  The number of  memberships at the Rocky Point Club has been restricted  through the years.