The Taylor Estate and Barn

George Campbell Taylor (1835-1907)

The Taylor estate was built c. 1886 in East Islip. George Campbell Taylor was the son of the wealthy merchant and banker, Moses Taylor. George inherited $20 million after his father’s death. The George C. Taylor estate of 1500 acres was the site of the original William Nicoll Manorhouse.

George C. Taylor, who assembled this large tract, had been an unusual and eccentric man of considerable means. He built a large and ornate country home. He then erected about 30 other buildings, such as carriage barn, stables, dairy barns, greenhouses, and quarters for his employees. The wooded areas of the estate he stocked with deer and game-birds. For proper effect he had peacocks and a herd of elk wandering about the lawns of the mansion. Inside he displayed seven cupid-like statues of himself, supposedly representing the seven ages of man. At times, the winding staircase in the three-story mansion became hard to navigate so George C. Taylor had an elevator installed. 

After Taylor’s death, the property was unoccupied except for caretakers. Taylor’s nephew, Moses Taylor Pyne used the property for game hunting. The property was kept under the control of the Taylor-Pyne family corporation, the Deer Range Corporation until 1924 when it came to the attention of Robert Moses. 

After Taylor’s death, the property was unoccupied except for caretakers. Taylor’s nephew, Moses Taylor Pyne used the property for game hunting. The property was kept under the control of the Taylor-Pyne family corporation, the Deer Range Corporation until 1924 when it came to the attention of Robert Moses. 

Photo: Taylor Estate Courtesy of author Ray Spinzia