F as ._i^r^^ 6 ^ TO -^=^- I 4 1/ *L^ ilk WJlil Alto VICINITY. Price Ton Cents. Published by Fletcher pufiois, ]^ew yop^. l88^ ^7— -«»Y' GENERAL GUIDE -TO- NE\A^BURGH AND VICINITY, -WITH- SRETCH OF WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTEI|S. (COPYRIGHT 1883) pOMPIL-ED AND j^UBLISHED BY J^LETCHER puj^lS, NEW YORK. p ONTENTS. PAGE. General View of City . . 3 Principal Streets 5 Washington's Headquarters 5 Public Buildings 8 Church Edifices 9 Private Kesidences 10 Hotels 11 Railroad Depots 12 Points of Interest in the Vicinity .. 13 New Windsor 13 Cornwall Landing 15 West Point 17 Balmvillc 19 Convent of Mercy 19 Cedar Hill Cemetery •. 20 Danskammer Point 20 Hampton Point 21 Marlborough 21 Orange Lake 21 Mucha.ttoes Lake 22 Across the Kiver 22 Commercial Industries 23 ■-Tj'Sr JOHN M. DAVIS, Typographer, 40 Fulton Street, THE City of Newburgh, iHE traveler standing on the deck of the steam, er as it emerges from the Highlands into the p g. ? % broad waters of Newburgh Ba^^ sees spread II ^ out around him a scene of rare beauty which ^^ is in strong contrast bo the wild grandeur of the Highlands. The Bay of Naples lives in romance and in the memory of those travelers who love to deify whatever is foreign, but one may visit a thous- and storied haunts abroad and never see such an unveiling of nature's grand and lovely features as she offers every day from the deck of the steamer passing through Newburgh Bay. On nearing the landing a fine view is obtained of the entire city, situated on a steep hillside with the houses rising above each other on a series of natural 4 GUIDE TO NEWP.URGH. terraces, and presenting a very striking effect as viewed from this point. On a commanding emi- nence in the southern part of the city — easily desig- nated from the river hy the large flag-staff on the grounds— stands the old stone house which was the headquarters of General Washington while his army was encamped in the vicinity, and which is referred to hereafter. The bay, one of the finest configurations of the Hudson, is sufficient alone to give wide reputation to the place; but to the Revolutionary associations connected with the city is due the fact that New- burgh is a place dear to every American, and a shrine where thousands of j^atriotic hearts annually pay their homage. The first settlement is said to have been made here as early as 1708 — although the first authentic record puts the date as 1719 — the settlers being nine emigrants from the Palatinate of Newburgh in Ger- many, and from this small collection of pioneers' cabins the city has grown to be one of the finest in the State, with a population of nearly 20,000. The city enjoys the influences of the Highland atmos- phere, lying as it does in the sheltered Cornwall basin, and as a place of residence stands high in favor, its streets, arched by stately trees, being adorned with many handsome and private resi- dences. GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. 5 PRINCIPAL STREETS. Running north and south and parallel to the river, Fnmt and Water Streets are the principal business thoroughfares; then in regular order, going west, we cross Smith, Montj^ontery, Grand, Liberty, Cham- bers, Lander, Johnstcm and DuBois Streets. Leading to the river and crossing the above streets at right angles, are Washingto7i, Broadway, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, South, Clinton and Broad Streets, in regular order from south to north. A stranger can readily familiarize himself with the streets by noting that the steamboat landing is at Second Street, WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS. At the south end of Grand Street is the entrance to the grounds surrounding the old " Hasbrouck House," now so generall}^ known as Washington's Headquarters. The building, a low one-story stone structure 56x46 feet, was erected in 1750, and when Washington met his army at Newburgh was oc- cupied by the family of Jonathan Hasbrouck, a colonel in the district militia. The house was al- ready historic, as tradition says that a small stone cabin, which formed the nucleus of the present edifice, was erected here by one of the original set- tlers of the place in 1708. Additions were made to the building in 1760 and 1770, leaving it substantially in its present form. 6 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. While the home of Colonel Hasbrouck, the house seems to have been dedicated to public uses, for here on the first Tuesday in April, 1763, was held the first town meeting for the Precinct of Newburgh, and at the breaking out of the war the Committee of Safety made it their headquarters. When Washing- ton was initiated into the Masonic fraternity he was staying at the " Hasbrouck House," and it was here he matured the plans which led to the final triumph of the American army. Washington remained here until August i8th. 1783, on the morning of which da}^ he took his departure from Newburgh. During his stay at this place he passed through the most trying period of the Revolution. A threatening spirit of rebellion was taking possession of his com- mand through the inattention on the part of Con- gress to the pa5nnent of the army, when in March, 1783 the famous "Newburgh Letters" made their appearance, advising the army to revolt. Washing- ton called a meeting of his officers and in reply to these letters read to them one of the most remark- able addresses on record, and which crushed the revolt with a single blow. This address was written at the " Hasbrouck House " and was read to the officers at the "Temple" in New W^indsor, where the principal part of the troops were encamped during their stay in the vicinity, On April 19, 1783, notice of the cessation of hostil- ities was read to the army, and on the morning of GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. 7 November 3, 1783, the army was formally disbanded on the lawn in front of the house. At the close of the war the old house was again in possession of the Hasbroucks until 1849, when by the foreclosure of a mortgage it came into the pos- session of the State of New York. A Board of Trustees was appointed and the building, which had been somewhat modernized, was as nearl}^ as pos- sible restored to its original condition, and on the Fourth of July, 1850, the place was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies "to be forever kept to awaken sacred and patriotic memories." On entering the house we pass into a large room with seven doors and one window. Without ceiling the immense whitewashed beams overhead suggest a strength of construction unknown to modern builders. This room was used as the family sitting and dining room, and stepping on the hearth we can look up at the sky through the wide and gaping mouth of the chimne3\ Hanging in the fireplace are several relics of the Revolution, found in the vicinit)^ and in one corner of the room stands the old arm chair, the only remaining piece of furniture used here by Washington. Adjoining this room on the south was the family room; on the west a store room and hall, having an outer door opening to the west; on the north two bedrooms, one occupied by Washington, the other a part of the time by Hamilton. The kitchen was in 8 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. the southwest corner, and the parlor in the north- west, the store room and hall separating them. Many valuable relics have been collected and are preserved in the building with great care. In one of the north rooms is a very ancient piano made by Geo. Astor & Co., London, 1760, and brought over by the Clinton family in 1770. In the south room is a large collection of fire-arms used in the Revolu- tionary war, the war of 1812, and the Mexican war. There are many other relics in the different rooms, which the visitor will find enumerated in the cata- logue to be had of the Custodian of the building. A fine view of the bay and surrounding country is obtained from the old porch. In the foreground lies the broad waters of the bay, dotted here and there with the "white-wings" of commerce, while to the eastward beyond the low lying Fishkili plains rises the twin peaks of North and South Beacons, from whose summits the watchfires signalled the patriots encamped within sight. To the north the river stretches away until lost behind the Ulster County hills, while to the southward we have a fine view of the entrance to the pass in the Highlands, with Pollipels Island standing guard in the centre of the gateway and the towering heights of Storm King and Breakneck rising on either hand. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Newburgh has more handsome public buildings GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. 9 than any city of its size in the State, prominent among them the Sav/ngs Bank, corner of Second, and Smith Streets, which in point of architecture is the finest in the city; the new Y. M. C. A. BuildiJig, corner Third and Smith Streets; the Erie Building, on Third above Water; the Post-office and Law Building, directly opposite, has the upper floors divided into offices, the entire top-floor being occu- pied by the Telephone Exchange ; the County Court House, standing in the centre of the park at Third and Grand Streets; the Public Eibrary, on Grand below Second ; the City Armory, on Broadway above Liberty Street, occupied by the Fifth and Tenth Separate Companies, (formerly the Seventeenth Battalion) N. G. S. N, Y. ; and headquarters of Co- lunibian Hose and Lawson Hose Companies, corner of Second and Montgomery Streets, CHURCH EDIFICES. The most prominent churches in the city are: — St. John's M, E., on Broadway below Grand Street; Unioji Presbyterian, corner Montgomery and First; Associate Reformed, corner Grand and First; ^S7. Patrick's R. C, on Grand below First; St. Georges P. E., corner Grand and Second; Trinity M. E., corner Liberty and Third; Calvary Presbyterian, on Liberty above Third; American Reformed, corner Grand and Third; First Baptist, on South near lO (;U1DE To newbur(;h. Grand; First I^rcsbytcrian, corner Grand and South; .S7. PauVs P. E., on Grand above South ; in addition to which there are several other smaller churches of different denominations. PRIVATE RESIDENCES. Among the many private residences deserving special mention is tlTat of Mr. Homer Ramsdell, one of Newburgh's most public spirited citizens, who has been largel)^ identified with, the growth and pros- perity of the city. The house stands in the midst of a park laid out in the style of those surrounding man}^ of the ancestral homes of England, and is guarded at the entrance, on Liberty Street near Broad, by a magnificent gateway and keeper's lodge, which is a distinctive feature of many of the country seats along the Hudson. Adjoining Mr. Ramsdell's place on the south is the residence of S. R. Van Duzer the New York druggist, and on the east side of Liberty Street, with entrance on Broad, is the handsomely laid out grounds and residence of W. W. Carson. This place was formerh^ owned by the late A. J. Downing, author of several works on landscape gardening, and is still known to many as The Downing Place. On the southwest corner of Grand and Broad Streets is the entrance to the former residence of James Bigler, well known as the inventor of the GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. 11 automatic whistling buoy so extensively used by the United States Government. Along the line of Grand Street to the northern city limits, and on Grand Avenue, a fine drive ex- tending from this point to Balmville, are many residences, notably those of Hon. Peter Ward; Hon. D. B. St. John; Judge C. F. Brown; Wm. Wright; David Scott; and Capt. C. S. Jenkins. HOTELS. Newburgh has three first-class hotels, in addition to which there are several large private boarding houses in the city and vicinity. The United States, on Front Street opposite the steamboat landing, is the most popular hotel in the city. During the past year the house has been enlarged and thoroughly refurnished, and is now one of the best appointed hotels on the Hudson River. Visitors from New York and other points by way of the regular Day Boats, can here get a first-class dinner and have ample time to visit all the principal points of inter- est before the departure of the down boat. The Baldwiti House, on the hill at the head of Third Street, is the largest hotel in the city, and is the popular family resort. The house is surrounded with roomy and well shaded grounds, and com- mands a fine view of the city and the Hudson River from West Point to New Hamburgh. A free 'bus connects with all trains and steamers. 12 GUIDE TO NEWKUK(iH. The Merchants' Hotel, on Front Street near the steamboat landing, has been enlarged and newly furnished and has one of the best restaurants in the city attached. RAILROAD DEPOTS. The Union Depot, at the south end of Front Street, near the foot of Broadway, is the point of departure of trains on the New York, Lake Erie &^ IVestern ; New York, West Shore &^ Buffalo ; 7\.\\^ New York &^ New England Railroads. Connection with the N. Y. «& N. E. is made by way of the transfer boat, IVni. T. Hart, the largest ferry boat in the world, having a carrying capacity of twenty-seven loaded cars. The depot of the New York Central &^ Hudson River Railroad is located at the ferry landing foot of Second Street. Points of Interest IN THE VICINITY. Not only is the city itself historic but the whole region about here is full of interest, and a stranger having a day or more at his disposal can spend the time very pleasantly in visiting the many interesting localities easily accessible by carriage drive or public conveyance, the most prominent of which we propose to mention in the following pages. DOWN THE RIVER. oldest town in Orange County, the first settlement having been made here in 1685. There are many points of historic interest in the old town, promi- nent among them the old John Ellison house, which was for a time the headquarters of Generals Knox and Greene; the house occupied by Lafayette: and 14 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. near this, on the bank of Moodna Creek, is the old forge where Jonas Wiihanis wrought one of the great chains which was stretched across the river in the Highlands to prevent the passage of the British ships. In this connection we may remark that there were three obstructions to navigation placed in the Highlands during the Revolution, viz.; at Fort Montgomer}' a chain supported by timbers; at West Point another chain; and at Pollipels Island a Chevaiix-de-frise composed of immense spears se- cured in cribs filled with stone. A large section of the Fort Montgomery chain is on the Parade Ground at West Point, and one link is also among the relics to be seen at Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh, together with one of the spears of the Pollipels Island obstruction. At New Windsor was also located the famous building known as the ''Temple" which was erected in 1783 as a place of public worship. This building has always been described and pictured as an im- mense log structure, but it has lately been proven by historical facts that the building erected here by order of General Washington was a frame structure about 60x80 feet, and that the description so com- monly accepted applies to the "Masonic Temple" erected at West Point about the same time. About half a mile below New Windsor, on the river front, are the remains of a redoubt built by order of General Clinton, and armed with a battery GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. I 5 of fourteen guns, which covered the obstruction at PoHipels Island, and also swept the river down to the Highlands. CORNWALL LANDING. Four miles below Newburgh, at the base of Storm King lies the scattered town of Cornwall the largest and most popular summer resort in the Hudson Highlands. The place is famous as the home of N. P. Willis, to whom it owes its popularity, as it was through his writings the place became known to the world. " Idlewild," the home of the poet, is still one of the attractions of the place. Not less than five thousand people anually summer in the Cornwall district, many of whom came here a few years ago as invalids; and physicians are now sending patients to Cornwall for affections that it was formerly thought could not be benefitted by any climate other than the Bermudas or Bahamas, Through the enterprise of Dr. E. H. Champlin, one of the owners of the Cornwall Mountam House, one of the finest drives in the country has been opened through the mountains to West Point, af- fording at many points magnificent views of this mountainous region. Half way up the western slope of Storm King stands the Mountain House, thoroughly protected from the damp marine atmos- phere, and aptly named by the owners "The Climate l6 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. Cure of the Highlands." The entire slope of the mountain being covered with a growth of cedar and other balsamic trees, the air is health-giving and invigorating at all seasons. The view of the surrounding country from the summit of Storm King, nearly i,6oo feet above the river, is one of the grandest on the continent. While there are loftier and grander views, there are none more beautiful; the beauty being of that varied kind changing at every point, so rarel)^ found and has its parallel only in the castle-crowned hills and mountains of the Rhine. Just to the southeast lies West Point, the softened strains of its military band being borne up to us on our loft}^ outlook, and the deep thunder of its artillery reverberating among the mountains. On the opposite side of the river lies Cold Spring, a flourishing town hemmed in on every side b}^ towering mountains, and four miles to the north is Newburgh, its spires glistening in the sunlight, while at our feet, in the shadow of the mountain, lies the village of Cornwall, the "Gem of the Highlands." The majestic Hudson, bearing on its tide the commerce of a nation, sw^eeps around the base of the mountain, passes the gateway to the sea, and is soon lost to view in the tortuous High- lands. Northward it stretches away in full \new some twenty miles until hidden behind the hills, where the finest of landscapes is unfolded, dis- closing cities, villages, and towns mingled with the GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. IJ gently undulating hills reaching away to the Shaw- angunk Mountains on the west, and the Berkshire Hills on the east, while far to the north towering over all, and distant fully sixty miles, are the blue Catskills blending with the sky on the very rim of day. Three miles below Cornwall, and lying within the great natural amphitheatre of the Highlands, is WEST POINT with its romantic history and present national im- portance, ■ To the lover of the picturesque the place has many attractions, and nowhere in the country can such glimpses of mountain and river scenery be ob- tained as from many points within the Academ)^ grounds — notably the view of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands from the north piazza of the West Point Hotel. This is a favorite spot both familiar and dear to every cadet, and we can imagine how many have lingered here in the evenings with their comrades' pretty sisters; how many hands have been clasped ; and how many parting tears shed by the graduates and their sweethearts, who met here in some instances for the last time. Many a boy in cadet's uniform said his good-bye here in the moon- light, before the war, and thought of it when a lieu- tenant down South on the night before his last 1 8 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. battle; and many a girl reading- the news of his death, has recalled his face and the touch of his hand the evening they sat together outside the brilliantly lighted windows of the dear old hotel. The IVcs^ Point Hotel, the only one on the Gov- ernment Reservation, is finely located on the north side of the Parade Ground, and was formerly known as " Roe's Hotel " b}^ which name it is still known to many, as distinguishing it from Cranstons West Pomt Hotel, a mile further south. The Officers Quarters, are on the west of the Parade Ground; the Cadet Barracks, Chapel, and Library, are on the south, together with the old Riding Hall, now used for recitation rooms, gymna- sium, art-galler3% and museum. The most promi- nent building here is the New Observatory erected for the Government by the West Shore Railroad Company, the tunnel of that company passing directly under the old building and making it useless for that purpose. On the summit oi Mount Independence, an irregular hill some distance back from the river, are the ruins of Fort Putnatn — such as are left of the once stout work — and climbing to these we get a new glimpse of the Highlands. To see the Point in all its beauty one should visit it during the month of June, when the magnificent scenery and foliage are bright with their summer freshness. The place is also more attractive at this GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. I9 time as the annual examinations and graduating exercises are in progress, and hundreds flock here from all parts of the countr3^ to witness the v^arious militar}^ drills by da}', and mortar firing by night. During the Revolution West Point was the most important fortification in the Highlands, and one of the saddest lessons of that period is connected with it in the history of the treason of Benedict Arnold. Returning to Newburgh, and following the line of Grand Street north, we come to BALMVILLE. This section derives its name from the large Balm of Gilead Ti'ee at the junction of the Marlborough road, about two miles from the city. The tree is said to have been planted here in 1750, and since the year i860 has been gradually decaying until it now presents a strong contrast to the surrounding foliage, its gnarled and knotted trunk and many bare arms spreading in every direction giving, it a very weird appearance. CONVENT OF MERCY. Passing up the Marlborough road a short distance north of the " big tree," on the summit of the hill and easily distinguished by the large cross on t'lie roof, we come to the building formerly known as the Thaycj- Homestead, now occupied by the Sisters 20 GUIDE TO NEWRURGH. of Mercy, who conduct an institution here for the education of Catholic orphans. The building is a large stone edifice surmounted by a mansard roof, and commands a magnificent view of the surround- ing country. CEDAR HILL CEMETERY. Five miles north of the city on the same road is this beautiful cemetery. Laid out a few years ago on ground finely adapted for the purpose, the place is now one of the finest " cities of the dead " in New York State. One feature of the cemetery is the entire absence of the conventional headstones — all the plots being marked by monuments, many of which are not only expensive but very handsome in design and execution. DANSKAMMER POINT. A short distance above the cemetery is this famous point, now a portion of the Armstrong estate. The name, signifying the "Devil's Dance Chamber," was given to the place by Hendrick Hudson after witnessing the Indian pow-wow here at night. The point willl be remembered as the scene of the wreck of the steamer Thomas Cor7ien, on the night of March 27, 1882. It has always been considered by river pilots as a dangerous point during dark and foggy nights, and since the above disaster Congress has made an appropriation for erecting a lighthouse here. GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. 21 HAMPTON POINT. On the line between Orange and Ulster Counties, seven miles from Newburgh, was twenty years ago one of the principal landing places on the river. The only boat landing here now is the little Hudson Taylor, plying between New Hamburg and Marl- borough. The point is covered with a magnificent growth of cedars, said to be the finest species found in the United States. A mile farther north is the village of MARLBOROUGH lying at the head of a picturesque ravine about a mile back of the river. The country around here is noted as one of the largest fruit-growing districts in the Hudson River valley. The night-boats landing here often occupy an hour in receiving fruit; the line of wagons on the road to the landing sometimes being nearl}^ half a mile long. Visitors to Marlborough and Cedar Hill can vary their drive by returning over the " River Road " which leaves the main road at the cemetery en- trance and joins it again at the " Balmville Tree." This road affords fine views of the river at many points. ORANGE LAKE. This is a popular summer resort about six miles west of the citv. having: on its shores several 22 GUIDE TO NEW BURGH. boarding houses and a race-course, and can be reached b)^ the stages run b)^ the proprietors of these houses to meet the regular morning and after- noon boats. MUCHATTOES LAKE, a large bod}^ of fresh water at West Newburgh, about a mile southwest of the business centre, is reached by way of Broadway. This lake is the source of Newburgh's ice suppl5% one party owning large ice-houses on its shore and supplying the entire city and vicinity. ACROSS THE RIVER. Fishkill Landinf^ opposite the city is an important manufacturing centre and the river outlet for several manufacturing towns on the line of the Newburgh, Dutchess & Connecticut Railroad. It is also a point of considerable historic interest; for while Newburgh was the headquarters of Washing- ton during over one-half of the seven years of the Revolutionary struggle, Eishkill was a centre of equal importance in another respect. The public stores were removed from New York to this place in 1776, and the depot for supplies was maintained here until near the close of the war. Among the historical buildings still to be seen here are the headquarters of Baron Steuben, the Wharton House, and the old Dutch church which has been made famous through Cooper's story of "The Spy." GUIDE TO NP-.WBURGH, 23 Dejinings Point a mile below the landing, was the residence of Captain William Denning during the war, and the place now known as Presque-Isle is still in possession of his heirs, Loiv Point, formerly known as Carthage Landing, four miles north of Fishkill, was once a prominent landing for the night-boats, its old dock and tumble- down store-houses being the only remaining land- mark of its former importance. New Hamburgh, directly opposite Hampton Point, will be remembered as the scene of the great rail- road disaster which occured here a few years ago. The draw-bridge where the accident happened spans Wappingers Cret-k, which reaches back to IVappin- gers Falls — a large manufacturing town. COMMERCI/lL !NDOSTF[IES Foremost among the commercial industries locat- ed here is the Ship Yard and Marine Raihuay of Ward, Stanton & Co., at the " south end." During the past few years this firm has entered the arena of iron boat building, having built the Lackawanna, Hoboken and Pan7ipeck for the Hoboken Ferr}'- Co., the Nezvbiirgh, Kitigstoti, and Albany for the West Shore Ferry in New York; City of Newburgh, now 24 GUIDE TO NEWBURGH. running on the Newburgh and Fishkill Ferry, the new Government tender John Rodgcrs ; and have under way and contracted for several additional boats for the above-named ferries. They have also gained wide reputation as builders of several of the largest and finest steam tugs and steam-yachts afloat, among them the Robert Lockhart, Dassori, E. Lukenbach, and L. C. Ward, and the steam-yachts Vedette, Henriette, Rhada, and Namouna.^ The latter vessel, owned by James Gordon Bennett, is the largest and most luxuriously furnished private 3^acht in the world, and has probably attracted more attention than any ever built. The Newburgh Steam Mills, on the river bank a short distance above the steamboat landing, is the largest building in the city and presents a very im- posing appearance from the river. This company gives employment to hundreds of women in the manufacture of cotton cloth for the various bleach- eries and print works in the United States. Among the other manufacturing interests in the city are : The Commercial Paint Works, foot of South Street ; Beveridge's Brewery, foot of Fifth Street, where the celebrated "Newburgh Ales" are manufactured ; Wright's Engine Works, foot of Washington Street ; WhitehilVs Foundry, on Ren- wick Street, west of the Ship Yard, and the Saw and Plafiing Mill oi Thos. Shaw & Sons, house and steamboat joiners, on the same street. 1850—1883. y/'ASHINGTON'S ffEAD^UARTERS.