My husband is the West side journey man, as he has been a frequent visitor to the Suffern, NY area for an annual astronomy event. I began tagging along a few years back and we expanded out the West side of the Hudson from that waypoint.
I first thought I wouldn't like the West Point area, but then we stayed and explored it and it was steeped in strategic placement, steeped in military tradition, and also oddly compelling in its almost rigid beauty. The Bear Mountain area to the South of it is so breathtakingly beautiful as well.
So we keep coming back. First to the North of West Point on up to Albany on the West side of the Hudson. We have rollicked and rolled, rocked and roamed. Searched for and found many Sojourner waypoints and a plethora of very cool things along the way. Sometimes we wander like a domesticated canine, zig-zagging back and forth across the mighty Hudson as we play among the burgs and villages.
A long time ago we began journeying along the East side of the Hudson, because it was a fun way to return from the city, NYC that is. We were living in the foothills of the Berkshires and really disliked all the city slicker NY folk that invaded our MA Berkshires, so we decided to swap and we began going to the Southeast corner of NY near the border of the 3 states, NY, CT, + MA. We've been from Saratoga Springs straight down into the city, with numerous stops along the way. We've done music festivals, dining experiences and historical anything we can get our hands on. Some places are one shots, but others are repeaters, and Peekskill is a repeater.
So here we were again. Meteorite hunt #2. We did a fall hunt a few years back, a Pete Seeger phenomenal 4 hour benefit concert in 2013, and now we were back. Each time we come, I come with a tiny little agenda as an add-on in case we don't find a meteorite.
Guess what? Here's what we gleaned:
Do you think there is a meteorite among the booty? No there wasn't, but we weren't sad. We did other things. Like a quick sojourn down to the waterfront along...WATER St. (love that original name).
This long building that runs alongside the NY Central and Hudson River RR (or so it was called in 1893) at 200 North Water St. was once either a lumberyard or part of the Stove Works industries. It stretches into Old Pemart Ave. and ends right before the Annsville Creek (which used to be called the Peekskill Creek).
So now this building, or this section is called Jan Peek. The name is in homage to Jan Peeck, who established a trading post down here in the 1600's, but when you look up Jan Peek, it comes up as ChopHunger.org. a social service agency that assists folks without homes.
The fence signifies the end of the 200 N. Water St. property. Once a Mill, now a homeless shelter and Renaissance Project Inc
Outpatient Treatment Center for Substance Abuse and Christ Warriors Ministry. This property was once for sale at 3.6 Million in 2011! It has 36,816 square foot industrial building + 4 acres, including a marina.
Another hard one to find information on. It was once reused as an art space, part of the art renaissance that is occurring all along this East side of the Hudson, as artists are priced out of the NYC area, but appears vacant now. It's bottom windows are boarded up and it sits forlornly at the intersection of Main and North Water St., once a bustling place of commerce and industry.
Peekskill used to be a part of Cortlandt and only became a city in 1940. Urban renewal did its job on some sections of the city as you can see here. But as the city center (with government offices and the library) it isn't too shabby and was nice to see folks hanging out. The once industrial center place now is a small city of approximately 25k for population. Built largely on rock and sloping hills (some straight down to the Hudson), most big industrial plants like Fleischmann's, which provided decent unionized jobs left by the 1960's and 1970's. Here is a picture of the huge factory complex of Fleischmann's (which coincidentally merged in 1929 with Strand, Co- a J.P. Morgan co.):
Once upon a time it was located right next to the water at Charles Point, it is now Charles Point Pier Park. When this co. left in 1977, it was a severe economic setback to the area.
Urban renewal came along as industry was dying off and the picture above is the result. It is the town center at corners of Nelson Ave and Main St. The "new" Field library is on the right. Was nice to see folks hanging out socializing on the gorgeous mid-April day.
901 South St. is the location of this, the old Field Library building. It is considered modified Greek revival and was originally built as a church in 1845. The library was there from 1921-1978. Now it is a private residence and studio space for an artist.
...and finally we found what we thought was the Peekskill Historical Society, but alas, as you can see, it is merely a museum.
And not a very welcoming or friendly one at that. The snooty, snotty man who rushed to the door to bar our entry lest we fork over the $5 fee was not pleasant and/or eager to share information with us, so we left. Will visit that library mentioned above at next visit or go to a real historical society of which there is a regional one, Westchester Historical Society in Elmsford, NY about 1/2 hour South of here.
Hostile white folks gets me to thinking about the "other" infamous events that put Peekskill on the map. The benefit concert Pete Seeger did shortly before his death at 94 was a return to the place he had come in PEACE to in 1949.
The Peekskill Riots of 1949 were anti-communist riots with anti-black and anti-Semitic undertones. The complexities of the times and the turmoil of the humans all got played out in this local area, and it was UGLY. I wonder where and what role that unkind elderly man who barred our entrance to the above museum had in 1949?
Here is a short video from the Sept. 4, 1949 event. See if you can count the number of times the word "Nigger" is said. I'm not sure if it is as recognizable, but the word "Kike" was thrown around quite a bit that day too. Some ex-service men who once fought against Hitler, were bragging that they "were Hitlers Boys here to finish the job," on that awful racist road that day. In the North, in 1949. Almost unbelievable if it weren't for these videos and living witnesses.
Humans can be so ugly sometimes. Also notice in at about 1min. 20 secs= a sign for Stanley Tucci & Son, and ponder if this is a relative of Emmy award winning actor Stanley Tucci born in Peekskill in 1960. Wonder which side of the fence his family was? Thank you Pete Seeger for being there and bearing witness to what really went down.
From another blogger comes some additional information on what the community was like back then:http://www.onthisdeity.com/4th-september-1949-%E2%80%93%C2%A0the-peekskill-riots/
"Peekskill was already a divided community, its wealthy summer visitors and bohemian types causing antagonism amongst its working class residents."
Below are some of the working class stock of homes:
This little cluster on the corner of Union and 2nd St. caught my eye b/c of the odd positioning of the houses. The two in the forefront are so close as to almost be glued together, yet they are not. I wonder why they were built this way?
We saw quite a few like this white and tan one with an encapsulated 2nd floor extension (extra room?).
Not quite the double homes of our New England mill housing, but similar.
And then of course there is this enigma home, or once upon a time stables at 401 Welcher Ave. as you enter the Blue Mtn. Park. Built 1890, probably by W.A. Bleelock, who is listed on a 1908 Map as owning 8 acres w/ the property.
Somebody pulled a permit to make this building into a single family home. They have until 9/15 to complete the work. We'll just have to come back and see!
And maybe then we can ask them about this remnant!
For a nice, recent write up in the NY Times real estate section, check this out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/realestate/peekskill-ny-a-little-country-a-little-urban.html?_r=0#
We concluded our unsuccessful hunt, but fun poke-around thru the backside of the Blue Mtn. Reservation, which actually runs into what all once was this, Cortlandt NY. We have some more poking to do, so we will be back.
As I left town with more curiosity than answers, I snapped this. A heavily protected mailbox. I wondered again of the ownership and if that human's family had been a protector or a harmer back in the day. Finally, I settled on a concession- "maybe they weren't even around and a part of that scene." I then put my spirit back there and just knew I would've been "holding the line," just as I would today if someone asked me to step up for peace.
I'll leave you Pete's legacy song for that time and place:
"Hold the Line" Pete Seeger (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014)
Actually, this is the first view you can see if you stop at the lookout just over the Bear Mtn. Bridge. It isn't pretty, but it sure is recognizable. Once known as Verplanck, it looked like this:
A quick little blurb about what it once was:
Although the link mentions that Henry Hudson once anchored on Verplanck in 1606, another site has the first European to set foot on the territory as Jan Peeck. Oh silly history and our attempts to tame, codify, and record it. Anywho, here's the scoop:
"The first European person recorded to set foot on this territory was Jan Peeck. The Peekskill region, and specifically what is now Annsville, was first identified by European immigrants as "Peeck's Kill". On various sloop journeys to this region at about 1650, Peeck exchanged various manufactured items with native tribal people located along Peekskill Bay, or what is now Annsville Creek, and possibly some distance up Peekskill Hollow Brook. The resident people identified themselves as "Sackhoes," according to the phonetic transcription from their language.
While once unofficially known as Jan Peeck's Creek, it was the formal transfer of itemized useful products by the Europeans to the Sachoes and their tribal representatives in 1685 that created Peek's Kill as a distinct geographic location, recognized as a land deed. Among the items given to the Sachoes were: eight brass kettles, one thousand fish hooks, fifty-two knives, two swords, eight muskets, 40 bars of lead and five bullet molds, 15 pounds of gun powder, three pistols, two hundred needles, 15 axes, 15 hoes, 100 tobacco pipes, rum, beer and tobacco."
Who knew that over 300 years later, the immigrants would go and create a nuclear plant on that hallowed land. And dig this for some not- so-hot history,
"According to The New York Times, the Indian Point plant “has encountered a string of accidents and mishaps since its beginnings, and has appeared on the federal list of the nation’s worst nuclear power plants”
New York Times. March 27, 2012.
So we all know now that I adore poking into
the underbelly of towns, hunting for those
infamous tracks that were laid down in the
early 1800's and then the lines that developed from them.
Somebody remembers!
So we all know now that I adore poking into
the underbelly of towns, hunting for those
infamous tracks that were laid down in the
early 1800's and then the lines that developed from them.
Well Peekskill did have those tracks and they still run along the waters edge, but interestingly, the town doesn't have a Mill Street. Water Street was the closest I could find. It really is pretty much a fraction of what it once was in its heyday when it had iron works, stove works, numerous foundry's, lumber and coal yards. Even further down, at the Indian Point nuclear power site there used to be many brickyards.
The highway has sort of messed with the area as well. There are pieces of streets missing, and what you see down below is a section of Water, North Water St. as you look down towards the intersection of Water, Main, and Central Ave.
 |
| Last building facing (white with 3 windows)=400 Main St. Peekskill, NY Built in 1890, for sale $400k for 3,000 sq ft. Forefront= 107 N. Water St. Single-family valued at $172,000. At the end of North Water, and facing Main is an extant business, called Sue's Sunset House- a bar and restaurant I think. But here is a piece of a map of the area in 1868: |
 |
| Right across from the Steamboat Dock is where Sue's is. I am wondering if it is also where there used to be a Hotel, The Exchange Hotel. Hard to believe there was not one, but even 2 hotels down here. http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/NYWESTCH/2003-02/1045701538 |
 |
113 North Water St. Condo's 3 Units. This building had also in the recent past been Page Printing. This section of Water St. was definitely the cleaner side. Here's what the reused manufacturing site used to look like:  |
 |
| Hard to say what this little piece of brick sweetness was, but I am betting it is a remnant of the Ely & Ramsey Stove works or the Union Stove works based on it's approximated address that is listed on a 1893 County Atlas.
Here is an ad for Union:
 |
So now this building, or this section is called Jan Peek. The name is in homage to Jan Peeck, who established a trading post down here in the 1600's, but when you look up Jan Peek, it comes up as ChopHunger.org. a social service agency that assists folks without homes.
 |
Once a large lumberyard (Chapman Bros.) was down here and various manufacturing mills (Stoves, Foundries, Iron Works). Ely & Ramsey Stove Works appears to be along this right side as well as lumber yard in late 1800’s map. However, there is also a business card that may be associated with this far end of the building: This card is circa 1920's |
 |
| Annsville Preserve Park – A newly created waterfront park, Annsville is ideal for a stroll along numerous trails with interpretive signage, crabbing off the pier, or relaxing in the gazebo with excellent views of the Hudson River |
Outpatient Treatment Center for Substance Abuse and Christ Warriors Ministry. This property was once for sale at 3.6 Million in 2011! It has 36,816 square foot industrial building + 4 acres, including a marina.
Can you believe this sign is posted at the Christ Warriors Ministry section of the building!?! Christ Prayer Warriors is an outreach-based ministry designed to teach the importance of prayer and to reach those who are in need. The main headquarters of this caring organization is located in the business complex of 200 North Water St., right on the banks of the Hudson River. Ministry services include bible-based teachings, prayer gatherings and the fulfillment of prayer request. It also provides early education as well as secondary and adult education.
Another hard one to find information on. It was once reused as an art space, part of the art renaissance that is occurring all along this East side of the Hudson, as artists are priced out of the NYC area, but appears vacant now. It's bottom windows are boarded up and it sits forlornly at the intersection of Main and North Water St., once a bustling place of commerce and industry.
Peekskill used to be a part of Cortlandt and only became a city in 1940. Urban renewal did its job on some sections of the city as you can see here. But as the city center (with government offices and the library) it isn't too shabby and was nice to see folks hanging out. The once industrial center place now is a small city of approximately 25k for population. Built largely on rock and sloping hills (some straight down to the Hudson), most big industrial plants like Fleischmann's, which provided decent unionized jobs left by the 1960's and 1970's. Here is a picture of the huge factory complex of Fleischmann's (which coincidentally merged in 1929 with Strand, Co- a J.P. Morgan co.):
Urban renewal came along as industry was dying off and the picture above is the result. It is the town center at corners of Nelson Ave and Main St. The "new" Field library is on the right. Was nice to see folks hanging out socializing on the gorgeous mid-April day.
901 South St. is the location of this, the old Field Library building. It is considered modified Greek revival and was originally built as a church in 1845. The library was there from 1921-1978. Now it is a private residence and studio space for an artist.
Hostile white folks gets me to thinking about the "other" infamous events that put Peekskill on the map. The benefit concert Pete Seeger did shortly before his death at 94 was a return to the place he had come in PEACE to in 1949.
The Peekskill Riots of 1949 were anti-communist riots with anti-black and anti-Semitic undertones. The complexities of the times and the turmoil of the humans all got played out in this local area, and it was UGLY. I wonder where and what role that unkind elderly man who barred our entrance to the above museum had in 1949?
Here is a short video from the Sept. 4, 1949 event. See if you can count the number of times the word "Nigger" is said. I'm not sure if it is as recognizable, but the word "Kike" was thrown around quite a bit that day too. Some ex-service men who once fought against Hitler, were bragging that they "were Hitlers Boys here to finish the job," on that awful racist road that day. In the North, in 1949. Almost unbelievable if it weren't for these videos and living witnesses.
Humans can be so ugly sometimes. Also notice in at about 1min. 20 secs= a sign for Stanley Tucci & Son, and ponder if this is a relative of Emmy award winning actor Stanley Tucci born in Peekskill in 1960. Wonder which side of the fence his family was? Thank you Pete Seeger for being there and bearing witness to what really went down.
From another blogger comes some additional information on what the community was like back then:http://www.onthisdeity.com/4th-september-1949-%E2%80%93%C2%A0the-peekskill-riots/
"Peekskill was already a divided community, its wealthy summer visitors and bohemian types causing antagonism amongst its working class residents."
Below are some of the working class stock of homes:
Somebody pulled a permit to make this building into a single family home. They have until 9/15 to complete the work. We'll just have to come back and see!
And maybe then we can ask them about this remnant!
For a nice, recent write up in the NY Times real estate section, check this out:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/05/realestate/peekskill-ny-a-little-country-a-little-urban.html?_r=0#
I'll leave you Pete's legacy song for that time and place:
