Local History Image of The Month | Archive
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February 2012
The John Green House
#0776 Nyack Library Local History Collection
circa 1900
We chose the Green House for this month's image of the month as the future of the home is in question and local historians and citizens are hoping to save it. See Bill Batson's sketch and story at Nyack News and Views. -
January 2012
The Aniline Factory in Nyack After the Explosion
January 1919
#1291 from the Nyack Library Local History collection
The explosion at the Nyack Aniline Dye Company in January 1919 practically demolished the entire factory complex. The remaining structure is surrounded by piles of bricks thrown out by the force of the blast. This image was made from a John Scott slide. -
December 2011
The Tappan Zee Bridge on Opening Day?
Photographer: Geist, J. Fred
December 1955
#2432 from the Local History Collection
There are no vehicles on the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge is completed but no cars are crossing it. Perhaps this photograph was taken on opening day. -
November 2011
Nyack's South Broadway, Early Morning 1885
#1710 Nyack Library Local History Collection
Original image is from the Collection of Winston C. Perry, Jr.
The long shadows indicate it's early morning. It could be November as the trees are bare. The Nyack Presbyterian Church is on the corner of DePew Avenue; across from it, the White Funeral Home. In the distance is the Doersch Building, now a bank parking lot. -
October 2011
Columbus Day 1912
postcard by Norman Burke
#1474 from the Nyack Library Local History Collection
The Nyack Evening Star reported on the parade saying “If you want to get a little glimpse of what Italy might look like in holiday attire, wander up Main Street today…..Christopher Columbus discovered America for the Spaniards , but in the last fifteen years his Italian descendants have been rediscovering the country for themselves . . . The rather musical strain of the Italian tongue can be heard on nearly every block.” Over 3,500 electric bulbs were used. -
September 2011
The Wigwam
1880
Four men - are they the Doersch Brothers? - stand in front of a business on South Broadway. This picture appears in the 1928 "Old Nyack" with this caption: "Stood on the site of the present Broadway Theatre. Horace Greeley spoke here, September 1st, 1868; 'The whole County attended, roofs and windows filled, 1500 present, 300 turned away.' Most town events centered here in this old hall 'when Grant was President.' " -
July 2011
North side of Main Street, just east of Franklin, Nyack, NY
Photographer Norman A. Burke
1910
#3664
The 1910 Sanford Insurance map identifies the stores and businesses seen here. On the left, the second building on the block is a business that is unidentified. The next, with a peaked roof facade, is the Nyack Village Hall and Police Department. The one-story structure with a glass front is the plumbing, heating and tinning shop of Elbert D. McElroy. A wheelwright is next - notice the wheels stacked on the ground. Beyond that is a blacksmith, James H. Blauvelt, in a brick building. Past Bridge Street is the 1873 Onderdonk block, with shops and residences little changed since it was built. -
June 2011
Diploma of J. Elmer Christie
#0967 The Nyack Library Local History Collection
J. Elmer Christie graduated from the Nyack Union Free School on June 20, 1884. Many of the 19th Century images related to education and schools in the Nyacks are from the collection of J. Elmer Christie. -
May 2011
The Laying of the Cornerstone for The Nyack Library
May 21, 1903
#0056 from The Nyack Library local history collection
This May we rededicate the renovated Carnegie building. -
April 2011
Victory Parade in Nyack
April 1945
#1495 from The Nyack Library local history collection
66 years ago this month they celebrated Victory over Germany and the Axis forces in Europe. -
March 2011
1910 Nyack Basketball Champs
George Hoffer, photographer
#5242 The Nyack Library Local History Collection
online at http://www.hrvh.org/u?/nyacklib,4075
This image was part of a scrapbook recently acquired by the library. -
February 2011
Helen Powell Receives Books
January 11, 1954
# 1519 from The Nyack Library local history collection
Miss Helen Powell, librarian at Nyack, receiving two books on African-American history, given to the library by the Monday Evening Study Group at a history program held by the club on Friday evening in St. Philip's A. M. E. Zion Church, Nyack. The presentation is being made by Mrs. Hilda Bryant, club librarian. -
January 2011
North Broadway - winter scene, Upper Nyack, NY
Photographer: Brush, Frank
circa 1890
#4008
From the Winston C. Perry Jr. Collection
Only the runners of a sleigh or two have cut through the snow on North Broadway. The trees that overhang the roadway are in bud. Was this a late Spring snowfall? -
December 2010
Snow Falling on Main Street
#1226
Falling snow adds charm to this photo, featuring buildings on the south side of Main Street, just west of Broadway, circa 1900. That nearest intersection of the two streets was torn down in 1908 to make way for the Rockland County Trust Company building, now used for offices. -
November 2010
Armistice Day 1919
by Norman Burke
Nyack Library Local History Image #0879.jpg
On November 11, 1919 these Nyack residents celebrated the end of World War I. -
October 2010
G. E. Miller's Milk Wagon in Flood on Nyack's Main Street
October 1903
#0027
Online at Hudson River Valley Heritage
The Echo Farm Dairy wagon, pulled by two horses, stands in flood waters. In the unusual storm of October 1903, both Felter's Ice Pond and the Nyack Brook contributed to the Main Street flood. -
September 2010
Oak Hill Cemetery
Local history image #3630 Photo postcard by Norman Burke
We recently acquired this photo postcard and with the current controversy over the cutting of trees by the cemetery we felt it would be interesting to show this image of the cemetery from circa 1900. -
August 2010
Highland Hose
#5184 from the local history collection
We recently acquired this image from an old scrapbook, so it is likely one of a kind. We selected it this month when we heard Highland Hose was celebrating its 100th anniversary: http://www.nyacknewsandviews.com/2010/08/highland-hose-5-turns-100/ -
July 2010
Rockland Lake, NY, Lighthouse
1910
#3628 from the local history collection
The Rockland Lake lighthouse stood in the Hudson River and just offshore of the cog railroad and docks where ice was loaded onto barges. Ferries like the Chrystenah would have also stopped at Rockland Lake Landing - and have used the lighthouse as a guide. The lighthouse always had a slight tilt. This postcard was sent to Cypress Hills, Brooklyn and has this note: "We are having a dandy time. Very busy this morning picking water lilies. Mary." -
June 2010
Mrs. Ella Bohr, 1950
#2224 in the local history collection
For many years, Mrs. Ella Bohr raised and lowered the flag at Memorial Park each day. Here she is hoisting the 48 star flag. -
May 2010
#3621
This early picture postcard view of the Nyack Library was recently acquired. Oh, how things have changed, yet soon enough we will reopen the original building. -
April 2010
Waiting for ferry to Tarrytown, Nyack, NY / 1930?
#3620 from the Local History Collection
At the foot of Main Street in Nyack, cars emerge from the ferry at the dock, while two rows of automobiles wait to roll onto the Tarrytown-bound boat. A billboard on the left advertises "Champion Dependable Spark Plugs.' On the right are signs proclaiming "Refreshments - Ice Cream Parlor - Gas." -
March 2010
Clarkstown Country Club: Two Women in Headstands
#0167
circa 1930
Two women are holding back to back headstands. Hudson River and a sailing vessel are in the background.
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February 2010
Rockland Theater: North Broadway
Photograph by Norman A. Burke
1930
The large Rockland Theater is centered in the picture, with the Club Diner on its right and other buildings on its left. Three cars are parked on the street. (#0257 from the local history collection: http://www.hrvh.org/u?/nyacklib,184) -
January 2010
World War II Rescue Boats Built in Nyack
February 1945
#0051 from the Local History Collection -
December 2009
Stagecoach at Ferry Landing, circa 1900
#0022 from the local history collection
A stagecoach carrying a woman and six men is stopped by the ferry landing. Four boys stand nearby. In the background is a huge piece of steam equipment. This photograph was made from a J. Elmer Christie glass plate negative and loaned to the library by Winston C. Perry, Jr. -
November 2009
Unidentified Historical Pageant in Nyack taken by Norman Burke
#7592 from the Local History Collection
On a Nyack stage is a gathering of historical figures, Native Americans and cowboys, miners and businessmen, an African-American and Lady Liberty. The huge flag in the background has 44 stars. Perhaps it is the Lyceum Theater. Thanks to Linda Goddard Schwartz for this recent donation and another old Norman Burke photograph. If anyone has more information about this image, email history@nyacklibrary.org, call 845-358-3370 ext. 23, or stop by the local history room. -
October 2009
Graycourt, the home of William Gray, circa 1885
This grand home was at the foot of Division Street on Broadway in South Nyack. There were no known photographs of the building until we recently acquired this photograph online. It surfaced in an estate sale in Texas, but now it has made its way back home to Nyack. We deduced the location by consulting the Breed's City Directory of 1894 where we found the address of William Gray. Upon consultation with South Nyack village historian Myra Starr we found in Cornelia Bedell's Now and Then Long Ago in Rockland County that President Grover Cleveland had been in the house in September 1889 and at that time expressed the opinion that it was the oddest and most attractive residence he had ever seen. In the 1930s it was remodeled and turned into apartments. The building burned in January 1959 and three women died in the fire. -
September 2009
Sept 2, 1918 Labor Day Parade
by Norman A. Burke
Forty men are carrying a huge flag down South Broadway. This postcard has the date written on the front, an unusual feature, and suggests that this was a Labor Day parade. Image #3173 -
May 2009
This is the Nyack Library on January 2nd 1921. We found this photograph in the files of Library Director James Mahoney. The library will be restoring the front doors starting late in May 2009 to look like they did in this photograph. -
April 2009
Broadway, Nyack
circa 1920
#3573
This recently acquired postcard shows a portion of Broadway in Nyack which has changed substantially. The buildings on the left of the postcard are now where Tallman Towers stand. Further down Broadway you can see the old Tappan Zee Playhouse. In the distance the Reformed Church is visible. On the right side is the Doersch building at the corner of Broadway and Remsen where the bank parking lot is located. -
March 2009
"The Fate of Hudson" float during the 1909 Hudson Fulton celebration parade in Nyack
October 6, 1909
#0910
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February 2009
Fishing: Emptying the Net
#0581
Ray Hand, photographer
February 24, 1946Three fishermen are emptying a net of striped bass while a boy watches. Left to right - Steven Orbine, Joseph Cella, Whit Johnson.
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January 2009
Aniline Dye Company Fire on Hudson Avenue
#0633
from the Mary Virginia Parkhurst Collection
January 31, 1919On January 31, 1919 the Aniline Dye Plant on Cedar Hill Avenue in Nyack exploded and burned. The force of the explosion blew out all of the windows in the Liberty Street School. On the right side of this photograph you can see the corner of the old South Nyack train station.
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December 2008
#0181
Dorothy Hand Crawford, photographer
December 15, 1955Crowds gathered on a cold December 15, 1955 for the official opening of the Tappan Zee Bridge. There are flags, a color guard, and a band. Cameramen stand atop cars. Many cars and a bus are in line in the eastbound lane, ready to drive across the bridge. The bridge is said to be named Tappan Zee after the Tappan tribe of Native Americans who once lived in the area - and for the Dutch "zee," an open expanse of water. Later in 1994, the bridge would be renamed Governor Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee Bridge in honor of the former governor.
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September 2008
Upper Nyack School Students
Image #1952
1913The Upper Nyack Centennial history tells us that there were only two teachers on staff at this school up until 1924 and this picture seems to confirm it. The school was built in 1885 at a total cost of $6,219.53.
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August 2008
Tappan Zee Playhouse
#4130
1958The Broadway Theatre was built as a movie house but was reincarnated as the Tappan Zee Playhouse, which was on the summer stock circuit.
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June 2008
Junior Orangetown Fire Engine Company #1
#0042
circa 1885A group of boys in firemen's uniforms pose with a miniature pumper. Pictured are: Wilton Heesz, Louis Odell, Russell Beebe, Henry Obehrens, R. Garrabrant, Harry Doersch, Dick Turneau, Harry Christie (flag), Edward J. Gilhuley, Harry Koch, Fred Christie, Harry Williams, M. Wescl, W. W. Schupner, J. Campbell, Gus Strack, John B. Odell.
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May 2008
The Old Stone Church
#0005
1889This is the Old Stone Church in Upper Nyack in the late 19th Century. It was dedicated on March 2nd, 1814. William Palmer, Nicholas Williamson, and John Green, met at the latter's house in Upper Nyack and adopted this resolution: "Resolved, that this be regarded a meeting to organize and build a Methodist Epsicopal Church; RESOLVED:-That we begin to build the Church to-morrow morning, Carried." (Old Nyack, p. 18) See what the Old Stone Church looks like today: The Village of Upper Nyack is proud to present a preview and exhibit of its new public space at the Old Stone Church during the Goosetown Bazaar Sat, May 31, from 11 to 3.
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April 2008
Unveiling of the Lincoln Boulder
#0872a
June 13, 1908The children of Nyack raised money to pay for the plaque which has Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address inscribed on it. Nyack’s veterans of the Civil War gathered for this picture with the new memorial. Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert, later wrote a letter thanking the children of Nyack who had contributed to the memorial. This letter is still in possession of the library.
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March 2008
South Broadway looking north after the Blizzard of 1888
#0037
Sepia, March 1888A 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. The headline from the March 17, 1888 Rockland County Journal read: "Buried Under the Snow: the Most Severe Storm Ever Seen in this Region," and began saying: "We know that people's memories are sometimes misleading, and that more importance is generally given to unusual events than they deserve; but if there is any record in the history of this region that shows a snow-storm so gigantic and so violent as the one which fell here this week, we have failed to hear of it. Even the 'oldest inhabitants' looked with wonder on Tuesday morning upon the huge drifts which loomed up in every direction."
