Home Description
Built in 1914, The owners have maintained much of the original character of this bungalow with its arts and crafts style effects such as stained-glass windows in the stairway, pine floors, extensive oak woodwork ceiling beams, and brick fireplace. One of the best features, besides the bay waters, are the front and back porches, which allows one to escape to a cool breeze on a hot summer day.
Life of the House
Generations of the Calvitti family have been enjoying the bay and summer breezes at this seashore bungalow ever since 1947 when Joe Calvitti, Sr. purchased the house from Gladys Bradley. Lumber stamps on the hand-honed beams indicate that the house was built in 1914. Gladys, paid the Calvittis a visit in the mid-1980s and confirmed that the home was built as the boat house by her grandfather, the owner and builder of what is now known as the Pebbles Guest House on 95th and First Avenue.
Photos of the House
Hilda and Joe Calvitti planted flower pots in the summer. When they retired, they spent the entire summer in Stone Harbor enjoying the shore life and tending to the flowers. The small Crepe Myrtle seen in this picture (on the right) flourished and is now 5 times that size. 
Joe Calvitti Sr. fishing with 8727 in the background – early 1950s 
Joe Calvitti Sr.’s mother Anna in the back of house 1955 In the background you can see the wrap-around back porch, which captures the sea breeze to keep us cool in warm afternoons. Anna was the family’s Stone Harbor pioneer. She rented summer cottages for family vacations in Stone Harbor in the late 1930s and 1940s. 
Joe, Sr. and daughter Ann enjoying the morning on the front porch 1963 Generations of little kids have grown up enjoying our bayside home and Stone Harbor 
1972 – Joe Sr. pictured here with his son, Joey Joe Sr. enjoyed sharing his knowledge of the bay and fishing with his children. As kids we fished, crabbed, and trapped bait from our dock. 
YCSH Regatta_1950s The Calvittis and their neighbors have had a front row seat to Yacht Club of Stone Harbor sailboat races and regattas throughout the years. In the 1950s and 60s, Comets, Moths, and- GP-14s sailed a race course on the Great Channel in front of the Yacht Club during summer weekends. 
1962 Storm The “Storm of ‘62” caused a lot of damage to the 7-mile island. The docks on the channel were mangled. The main house was built high off the ground and luckily has weathered a few severe storms. 
Sep 1986 Storm – Rockin The Lyman Living on the bay is exciting in all kinds of weather. Growing up on the bay we learned to “respect the sea because she is mightier than thee.” Strong, unpredicted storms can come out of nowhere so we are always careful to lash down boats, kayaks, and furniture. 
Tranquil morning Enjoying the early morning peaceful beauty of the bay from the back porch never gets old. 
Entryway and staircase The oak newel post is the focal point of the entry hall. For many years the newel post and banister were painted white. The paint was stripped in the early 2000s to reveal the beautiful oak. There are two plugged holes at the top of the newel post. According to Joe Calvitti, Sr. there was a globe light fixture installed there when he bought the house, but it got in the way so he removed it. 
Fireplace