May 22, 2012

Nyack High School’s Darkest Day

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by John Patrick Schutz On the morning of March 24, 1972, a Nyack school bus encountered a detour on the way to the old High School where Rockland BOCES Adult Ed is now located.  The bus from Valley Cottage had to backtrack all the way to Congers to clear the construction.  Loaded with 49 Nyack … [Read more...]

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Tappan Zee Bridge 1955: Best, Longest, Safest

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"Your Thruway Bridge is now formally open with another 25 miles of the longest, safest, best-engineered super highway in the world. Another historic chapter to the rich heritage of New York State and its cross-state thruway." It's hard to believe, but this vintage promotional footage from the NYS … [Read more...]

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Snow What? It Wasn’t Always This Warm

South Broadway looking north after the Blizzard of 1888  "A record of 20.9 inches of snow fell during the three day period of March 11-14. Doersch Brothers Grocers and the Reformed Church are on the left." Source: Nyack Library

by John Patrick Schutz If the warm trend continues, the only snow event of the 2011-12 season will be the pre-Halloween trick that was no treat for thousands who were without power for days. But this snowless Winter isn't over yet. Remember 1997? It only snowed once that year -- on April 1. JP … [Read more...]

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Nyack Sketch Log: The Nyack Library Part II

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by Bill Batson The Nyack Library is an example of one of the most epic philanthropic gestures of the early 20th Century.  Andrew Carnegie supported the construction of 1,689 public libraries in 1,419 communities across America. The steel magnate, who was at the time the richest man in the world, … [Read more...]

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“We Are Orangetown” at The Nyack Library

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by Brian Jennings The Orangetown Historical Museum & Archives is pleased to present a new book on the history of Orangetown, where today a diverse, hardworking, and inventive population inhabits 10 distinct incorporated villages and unincorporated hamlets. On Wednesday March 21st at 7:30pm in … [Read more...]

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Nyack’s Interchange Shortchanged By TZB Plans

One of two proposed reconfigurations for I-287 Exit 10 in S. Nyack. This plan was abandoned with the bridge-only approach announced by the governor in Oct, 2011.

by Arthur H. Gunther III Ever wonder why there's a 360 degree exit ramp to reach South Nyack on I-287 West after crossing the Tappan Zee Bridge?   It's all part of a never executed 1950's plan to connect the NJ Turnpike to the Tappan Zee Bridge. SOUTH NYACK, N.Y. -- Ever since President … [Read more...]

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Nyack Sketch Log: Nyack Water Department

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by Bill Batson When we turn on the faucet or flush the toilet, the water always flows. We may not know the exact source, or where the mains and pipes are buried, but we can reliably depend on the quality and availability of water in our village.  Nyack is fortunate to have a publicly controlled … [Read more...]

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Nyack Sketch Log: St. Philip’s A.M.E Zion Church

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by Bill Batson Two years before Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as president, St. Philip's A.M.E. Zion Church was founded in 1859 by abolitionist John W Towt. Today, the term abolitionist is considered a badge of honor.  In the 1850’s, as slave catchers roamed the north empowered by the … [Read more...]

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Nyack Sketch Log: Pilgrim Baptist Church

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by Bill Batson Pilgrim Baptist Church has found a safe harbor at the corner of High Avenue and North Franklin Street for the last 51 years. The building has multiple slanted roofs and high arched windows that look like the peaks of cresting waves.  The pulpit is on the north side of the nave … [Read more...]

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Nyack Sketch Log: Edward Hopper Mania

Hopper's Psycho House in Haverstraw. ©2012 Bill Batson

by Bill Batson The building in Haverstraw that was the subject of Edward Hopper’s 1925 painting “House by the Railroad” still stands proud.  The haunting depiction of the three story house by Hopper came to the attention of the cast and crew of Alfred Hitchcock’s movie classic, Psycho.  … [Read more...]

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