Orient
Orient
Orient is known as the “Gateway to New England,” because of its local ferry service to Connecticut. In fact, Ferry Service has connected Orient Point to southern New England for more than a century.
Orient is separated from the rest of Southold Town by the “Causeway,” which features some of the world’s most stunning views. Long Island Sound is visible to the north and the serene Gardiner’s and Peconic Bays to the south.
Along with nearby East Marion, Orient was once known as Oysterponds, because of the abundance of shellfish. In 1836 Oysterponds split, forming what is now known as East Marion and Orient. The name Orient was chosen to reflect its easternmost position on the North Fork.
The hamlet was originally settled by five families through a land grant from the King of England in the 17th century. Orient would later be used as a base of operations by British commanders such as Benedict Arnold during the American Revolution conducting raids on Yankee-held Connecticut. Among Benedict Arnold's headquarters was a local tavern owned and operated by the Vail family on what "Village Lane". Many of the hamlet's older structures are included in the Orient Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Orient's winter population swells to well over 1000 during the summer months, with many calling Orient their second home. Besides a post office, a gas station, and a country store, Orient has no real business center and depends largely on nearby Greenport for every-day necessities.
Orient Point is home to the area’s largest beach, Orient State Park, featuring one of the most pristine maritime forests on the North Fork. It is a true nature lover’s paradise.
Students attend Oysterponds Elementary School, in Orient, until sixth grade. They then attend Greenport for the remainder of their school career.