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Ocean Beach began as a development by John Wilbur in 1908. Within a short time he managed to sell a large number of lots under the motto: "Where Health and Happiness go Hand in Hand." By 1921 the two formerly separated hamlets of Ocean Beach and Beach Estates merged to form Ocean Beach. To gain greater control over local issues the community then incorporated as "The Village of Ocean Beach." Early on Fire Island was settled by Native Americans who appreciated the abundance of wild-life, harvesting the bountiful shellfish, whales, and other fish. Shells were collected and used as currency (wampum). First records indicate a Dutch trader named Adrian Block exploring the Island. Soon the Dutch lost control to the British and famous William Tangier Smith bought the whole Island from the Native Americans in 1688. Whaling then became for a period of time the main activity on the Island. About a century later whaling came to a halt due to over-hunting. From then on more dubious activities such as wrecking and may be even slave trading took over. A fellow named Jeremiah Smith built himself a cottage in the Sailors Haven vicinity and shone lights onto the ocean in hopes that a lost vessel would run aground so he could claim the lute. After this more reckless period Fire Island was most often the site for fish processing plants and gazing cattle. For example in the last quarter of the 18th century Seaview was the site of a such a plant owned by Gilbert Smith. There has been much speculation about the origin of the name Fire Island. It was speculated at times that the abundant Poison Ivy with it's reddish leaves caused the name, or fires maintained on the beach by wreckers and pirates. The most commonly accepted version is that of an error in transcribing names. Old records point to the name "Five Islands" or in Dutch "Fieve" which was transcribed incorrectly into "Fire Island"
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