I’ve been spending much more time exploring my neighborhood of Astoria, NY, due to the pandemic, and I’ve gained a new appreciation for a little spit of sand called Hallet’s Cove. That’s right, Astoria has its very own beach! And like any city beach, it’s kind of gross, strewn with beer bottles, random animal bones, and the occasional syringe. But take a closer look, and it becomes an amateur archaeologist’s paradise. This area has been settled by Europeans since the 17th century, and was populated by Native Americans for thousands of years before that. Its namesake, Hallet, was one of the European families that settled here. It’s fortunate that Hallet’s Cove hasn’t been swept up by development (yet), as luxury condos are relentlessly springing up around it. By some miracle, the beach remains in a more or less natural state.
During low tide, I’ve enjoyed beachcombing at Hallet’s Cove – when the resident geese don’t scare me off, that is – and I’ve found plenty of fascinating objects, both natural and man-made. Some pieces are modern, but I suspect some of my finds are hundreds of years old, although I can’t say for sure. The objects may not look like much, but as a history lover, I love the clues they hold about the people who lived, worked, and died here.
By coincidence, the day I’m posting this (Jan. 24) is the anniversary of the grisly murder of William Hallet III, his wife and five children, killed with an ax by a slave in 1707 or 1708. The house where it happened no longer exists, but it must have been close to Hallet’s Cove. RIP.
A view of Hallet’s Cove, with the Manhattan skyline in the background. There used to be brick factory in the area, owned by one of the Hallets. There are still bricks everywhere… Two of my recent finds: a beautiful shell and a cameo. I think the cameo’s just plastic, but still pretty! Headless Jesus. Marble fragment… not sure from what or when. Crab claw, brick fragment, etc. A Bromo Seltzer bottle, possibly from the 1940s. Other side of Bromo Seltzer bottle. I’m not sure, but I think this could be a fragment of Native American pottery. The back of the possible Native American pottery fragment. Pottery fragment, side view Marble – could be modern, could be 100 years old. The cracking suggests it’s pretty old. Bone blackened from fire or age. One of the nicest shells I’ve found on the beach. Another unidentified ceramic piece… could it be from the Hallet family? Back side of a piece. Front side – beautiful coloring! Possibly a Native American incense burner??? I’m so excited about this piece! Top of piece Base of piece Side of piece (it has a hole that goes straight through) The object is full of holes – to let smoke/ incense out??? Possibly a Native American piece? What were the grooves for? Back side of piece Handle of cup or mug Front of another piece Back of piece Why are the two pieces attached like that? Old ceramic fragment Side view – look how thick it is. Slag? Fragment with cut marks on it Another Native American fragment? Rabbit from unknown period Another exciting find – is it manmade or natural? It looks like amber. Back of “amber” piece. Piece of cowrie shell Piece of Native American pottery just lying on the ground.