Piermont Attractions
If you’ve been wandering around our website you should have learned a bit about our town’s history. Maybe it’s time to come and discover that Piermont is still a vibrant and fun community. Here are some to the attactions you’ll find:
Address: 758 Piermont Avenue
Outstanding example of lower Hudson Valley domestic architecture, illustrating the regional preference for native stone construction in the 18th and early 19th century and the transition between Dutch and English building practices.
In May 1783, General George Washington and Sir Guy Carlton, the Commander of the British forces in New York, met at the Onderdonk House before they went to the Dewitt House in Tappan, NY to negotiate the withdrawal of the British forces from New York City.
Address: Flywheel Park, Ash Street
You’d hardly know it today, but for three-quarters of a century, Piermont was truly a “factory town”. The Piermont Paper Company started production in February 1902. They merged with the Robert Gair Company of Brooklyn, which had developed new ways of folding paperboard into cartons. Gair merged with Continental Can Company in 1956. Federal Paperboard and Clevepak operated in some of the original brick an concrete buildings. In the early 1980’s, factory operations ceased, and the property became the Piermont Landing development. The flywheel was scheduled to be demolished along with the paper factory that housed it, but it was built too well, and the wrecker’s ball just bounced off. Rusty and rustic, it is a work of art in a class of its own.
Last Stop USA & the Watch Fires
Address: Piermont Pier
During World War II, the pier was the embarkation point for over a half-million GIs who would fight in the European theater, and at the end of the war, the debarkation point of those returning.
Address: Bridge Street
Located just past the Post Office and built in 1880 by the King Iron Bridge Company, the bridge is a single leaf, manually operated metal drawbridge that was raised to allow marine traffic to pass on the Sparkill Creek.
Rockland Road Bridge Historic District
Address: Rockland Road between Ferdon Avenue and South Piermont Avenue
Known as “The Birthplace of Piermont”, this is the oldest and most historic area of Piermont and many of the surrounding buildings have maintained their 19th century character. Listed on The National Register of Historic Places, the oldest house in Piermont is here and once hosted George Washington.
Address: Ferdon Avenue and Rockland Road
Known locally as the Silk Mill, the hall was built in 1876 and listed in 1990 on the National Register of Historic Places. It is historically and architecturally significant as a rare example of a combination of civic and commercial use. Hasbrouck Motor Works, a manufacturer of yacht motors was established in 1900. It was also used for village meetings. By the mid-1920’s silk fabric was being spun. Over the years, it produced silk ribbon and narrow fabric strips for hat bands, laces, corset bindings, parachute rip cords, and the narrow stripe down formal trousers. During World War II, medals awarded to soldiers hung from striped ribbons made in Piermont.
The Mine Hole District and The Mine Hole
Address: South Piermont Avenue
African Americans lived in this district long before the Revolution. When you reach 175 South Piermont Avenue, look across the street and you will see the entrance to the mine.
Address: Ash Street and Hudson Terrace
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the station was once run by Belle Kelly who worked for the railroad for over 50 years. She served as station master, ticket agent and telegraph clerk, servicing 43 trains a day. It is the only know remaining station of its kind. It was restored by the Piermont Historical Society and is now the home of the Museum of the History of Piermont.
Piermont’s first tourist attraction. A set of pudding stone pillars marks the spot that was once advertised this resort as a place with “…high-class service, beautiful surroundings, caters especially to tourists; open all year…” The resort even offered night swimming with a lighted area for safety.
JFK Memorial Park and the GI Joe Statue
Address: Piermont Avenue and Paradise Avenue
This park is where the annual Memorial Day observations and other civic events are held. Note the cannon. Found in the river many years ago by local kids, it is believed to be of Revolutionary War vintage.
