Gaslight & Gingerbread A photographic recollection of old Sea Cliff by Charles E. Ransom

business buildings, churches,fire department, hotels,introduction, private residences, recreation,scenic, schools, sports,shore,transportation
About Charles E. Ransom
Photograph of Charles E. Ransom as a young man
Charles Edgar Ransom
Photograph of Esther L. Ransom as young woman
Esther L. Ransom
Link to Sea Cliff Village Museum The Charles E. Ransom Room
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
from the 1971 edition of Gaslight and Gingerbread

In many ways Charles E. Ransom is an exceptional figure among the people of his native Sea Cliff, New York; especially known for his sense of the historic connection, and his ability to rout out old and sometimes fading memories of the past. Today, in his eigthy-first year, his career spans a sunstantial part of Sea Cliff history, as he continues to serve actively as the Village Historian, the oldest living member of the Sea Cliff Fire Department, and the oldest living member of The Sea Cliff methodist Church (over seventy years), which he attends regularly with his beloved Esther.

His public career was no less excptional. For over twenty-eight years Mr. Ransom served with great distinction as an elected official in the town and counry governments, as Clerk of the Town of Oyster Bay, Clerk of the County of Nassau, and Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay.

It is from this historic overview that Mr. Ransom has assembled the unique collection of photographs and naratives in his book "Gaslight and Gingerbread" - a photographic Recollection of Old Sea Cliff - rekindling the memories and experiences of another day.
About Gaslight and Gingerbread
Dedication from 1971 edition
Many years ago, Roy Hendrickson, Sr., and I discovered that we had a mutual interest in collecting pictures of old Sea Cliff. Since that time, our interests have been pooled. The pictures displayed in this book are from that joint collection. Roy was born and raised in Sea Cliff and no one loved it more than he. His office was the last "cracker barrel" in the Village where the few remaining old-timers could recall with nostalgia the events of the past. This book is dedicated to his memory. May his soul rest in peace.
Chas E. Ransom
 Acknowledgment from the 1971 edition
Through the generosity of Mrs. Elsie Jonas Hendrickson, the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Memorial Fund of the United Methodist Church in memory of her husband, Roy A. Hendrickson. The Jonas family came to Sea Cliff in 1900, and have always been ready to support, both financially and physically, any cause for the betterment of Sea Cliff. The author recalls with pleasure having been a member of Mr. Jonas' Sunday School class.

Thank You from 1971 Edition
I wish to thank the many persons who, over a long period of years, have either given me, or have permitted me to have copies made of, their old pictures. Particularly, I wish to thank Mrs. Phillip Huntington, Mrs, Henry Graham, Mr. Allen Williams, Miss Electa Sniffen, and Bertram Schoelles. I am also grateful to Charlie Hurley (better known to me as "Lindy" for his valuable help in editing and designing this book, and to his wife Prudence for suggesting the name. Special thanks to Frank Braynard, whose enthusiasm and persistence caused this book to be attempted. His experience and advice have been a tremendous help to a rank amateur.
About this web site:
There are many more photographs of Sea Cliff in the printed version of my grandfather's book "GasLight and GingerBread". You can get the 2001 edition of "Gaslight and Gingerbread" by contacting The Sea Cliff Public Library, or Sea Cliff Village Hall. All proceeds from the sale of this book are used for the benefit of Sea Cliff. And special thanks to my beloved grandfather, "Pop", for his love of Sea Cliff and the valuable picture it shows us of a time that seems very different from today.
On behalf of my grandfather,
Thanks for your interest.
J. R. Ransom - publisher
July 4, 2001
This site is dedicated to the memory of:

The Honorable Charles E. Ransom
Esther L. Ransom
Margaret Esther Ransom Lippke
Jimmer
Uncle Jack & Aunt Pete
Uncle Bunny
Aunt Ella
Aunt Ede
Uncle Doc
Aunt Bea
Jack & Jackie
Aunt May

 This Site is for:

the decendents of
Charles E. and Esther L. Ransom
everywhere...,

And for:

the past, present and future people of Sea Cliff, NY, who have lived and loved, worshipped (and partied), strolled and paraded, shopped and sold, or otherwise enjoyed a very special little village called
Sea Cliff, New York.
And for:
Sammy Jones, Jimmy Whitehill, and Roy Miller
Almost all of this website (seacliffhistory.com) is from material collected and written by Charles E. Ransom originally published in the hardbound book "Gaslight and Gingerbread - A Photographic Recollection of Old Sea Cliff", Copyright © 1971 by Charles E. Ransom • All Rights Reserved • Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 72-151627. Any additional materials contained in this web site are ©2001 James Ransom • All Rights Reserved. Other Copyrights may apply.