Though often called
Bannerman's Island today, Pollepel Island (
pollepel being Dutch for "waffle ladle"), is a small piece of land comprised of just 6 1/2 acres on the Hudson River, located approximately 50 miles north of New York City. The island's most prominent feature, of course, is the abandoned Bannerman's Castle, which was constructed by businessman Francis Bannerman VI in the early 1900s as a military surplus warehouse. Today, the building remains as one of a few structures in the United States which can be accurately termed a "castle".
Early History
- The island was discovered by Dutch settlers during the first navigation of the Hudson River at the "Northern Gate" of the Hudson Highlands.
- European settlers created the legend of Polly Pell to explain the island's name after its Dutch origins were forgotten.
- During the Revolutionary War, 106 chevaux de frise were placed between the island and Plum Point in order to keep the British from passing upriver (this attempt failed, however).
- General George Washington signed a plan to use the island as a military prison, though there is no proof that such a prison ever existed.
Bannerman's Island
- Francis Bannerman VI operated "Bannerman's", a business located in Manhattan that dealt in the acquiring and selling of surplus military goods.
- In order to help house and provide a safe location for his expanding business, Bannerman purchased the island in 1900.
- Construction of a large castle, intended as a warehouse to store business goods, began in December 1901.
- Francis Bannerman designed the building himself, modelling it after Scottish castles.
- The castle itself, clearly visible from the banks of the Hudson River, served as a sort of advertisement with the words "Bannerman's Island Arsenal" emblazoned along its side.
- Other structures were also built on and around the island, such as a family summer residence (similar in design to the arsenal) and a harbor with turrets.
- Construction on the island ceased with Bannerman's death in 1918.
- In 1920, 200 lbs. of shells and powder exploded in the arsenal building, destroying a portion of the building.
- In the 1950s, the island was left vacant until it was taken over by New York State in 1968.
- In 1969, a huge fire destroyed all the buildings including the castle, except for the masonry and concrete walls.
Today
- The island today is the property of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
- The castle (now an empty shell) and other building are badly damaged and have succumbed to acts of vandalism and decay.
- Efforts have been made by the Bannerman Castle Trust to preserve these structures. In 2006, they received a $350,000 grant to fund structure stabilization, masonry work, floor joists, sub-flooring and a new roof system for the Bannerman Family residence.
- Unaccessable to regular visitor since the 1960s, the Bannerman Castle Trust, in cooperation with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, now offers a 2 1/2 hour guided tour of the island via Hudson River Adventure’s 49 passenger vessel The Pollepel.
- The Pollepel leaves from the Torches Restaurant Dock in Newburgh, NY each saturday and sunday at 12:00 p.m. It also leaves from the Ferry Dock in Beacon, NY each Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m. For reservations, call (845) 220-2120. Note: Tours are seasonal and will resume in Spring 2007.
