Explore Doodletown: Rockland County’s Ghost Town

Come to the talk on Saturday, April 27 and/or the walk on Sunday, April 28

Pomona, NY – This weekend explore the mysteries of Doodletown, once a small hamlet in northern Rockland, now a ghost town. Doodletown was a small, isolated community for about 200 years, until the mid-1960s, and would have been part of the Town of Stony Point today. The area was settled in the 1760s by loggers and miners, and at one time included a church, a school, several small businesses and two cemeteries in addition to 70 houses and 300 residents (at its peak in 1945).

This weekend come explore Doodletown:

o      On Saturday, join the Rockland County Trail Guide Docents at a talk by Elizabeth “Perk” Stalter, a former resident of Doodletown, and the author of “Doodletown Hiking Through History in a Vanished Hamlet on the Hudson.”  She will talk about Doodletown and other vanished hamlets at the meeting for the Historical Society of the Palisades Interstate Park. The talk will take place in Letchworth Village, in the Rho Building (Stony Point Community Center).

o      Directions to Rho Building:  From the Palisades Parkway North take Exit 14. Turn right onto Letchworth Village Road. At the first light, make a left onto Patriot Hills Road. Look for the sign on the left that says Rho Building.  Upon entering the building you will be directed to the room where the talk will be held.

• Doodletown Walk:  Sunday, April 28 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

o      On Sunday, join Docent Louise Parnell and the “Friends of Doodletown” (former residents) on this 3-4 mile moderate to difficult walk with some inclines. During the walk, learn about Doodletown from Elizabeth “Perk” Stalter who lived there and published a book about the area.

o      Directions: Take Route 9W North to sign for Iona Island. Continue past the sign on 9W and there is a parking area to the north of the sign.

o      Meet at the parking area on Route 9W North near Iona Island entrance.

o      Wear good walking shoes or hiking boots, bring walking sticks, binoculars, sunscreen, water, and a snack. There are no restrooms available, no dogs are allowed, and this walk is not stroller friendly.  The walk will be held rain or shine. Pre-registering is recommended – call 845-708-7308.

This is one of a series of free guided park walks scheduled throughout the year. For a schedule visit www.rocklandsteps.org/calendar. For more information about the trails visit www.rocklandsteps.org/walks.  As with any physical activity program, it is recommended you speak to your physician before starting.  All guided walks are coordinated and supported in partnership with the Rockland County Division of Environmental Resources, the Rockland County Youth Bureau’s AmeriCorps program and the Rockland County Department of Health’s Steps to a Healthier Rockland program.

  Doodletown, letchworth village, Rockland County Trail Guide Docents