The History of the Oak Beach Life-Saving Station

Built in 1872, the Oak Beach Life Saving Station, located in the Town of Babylon, was originally part of a network of more than twenty such stations that dotted Long Island’s south shore. Established by the U.S. government to provide aid to shipwrecked vessels, these stations were the predecessor to the country’s modern-day Coast Guard. When the Oak Beach station was severely damaged by Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 and then again by Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, it was initially slated to be demolished. Explore the history of this historical building and how Babylon town was able to rescue and repurpose it for future generations.