Hometown Happenings: Walk Back in Time at Rockland Lake

By Supervisor George Hoehmann

This Saturday, I am hosting the annual Supervisor’s Walk at Rockland Lake. Last year, the Town of Clarkstown celebrated their 225^th anniversary. As part of the celebratory events, I coordinated a historical walking tour of Rockland Lake, in which over 60 residents attended. Being that it was so popular last year, we are offering this great event once again.

With the help of Robert Maher, a local historian, author and the president/founder of the Friends of Rockland Lake and Hook Mountain, residents can learn all about the ice industry that once thrived in Rockland Lake from the 1830s to 1930. The family of Robert Maher have been residents of Rockland Lake for over 175 years. His enthusiasm and passion for sharing the history and stories of Rockland Lake are educational and entertaining.

The tour includes historical facts and folklore as we explore one of our former hamlets. The first part of the tour we will walk along the beautiful trail along the inner loop of Rockland Lake and visit the original ice house foundations.

Participants will then walk through the woods to a hilly roadway into the center of the old town of Rockland Lake, where we will visit the house of Josephine Hudson, the only woman to have worked in the ice industry, as well as original homes, churches, schools and hotels of the downtown.

We will then travel down the very steep hill to the banks of the Hudson River, where barges and paddlewheel steam ships once left to travel to New York City, where there will be a lovely view of the Hudson River and new Tappan Zee Bridge.

It’s going to be a beautiful weekend. Come spend some time with us on Saturday morning as we explore the history of this gorgeous state park located right here in Congers.

The walk is on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (parking lot #1). If you are interested in attending other outdoor events in the Hudson Valley this month, visit hudsonrivervalleyramble.com.    

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