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As the 19th century closed,
Francis Bannerman's military surplus business, located
at 501 Broadway in Manhattan, was in need of a new
location. His neighbors wanted him and his explosives
gone.
Francis's son, David,
while on a canoeing trip up the Hudson, by chance
noticed Pollepel Island. Francis purchased the island
1900 and began construction on a pseudo Scottish castle
to be his warehouse for the ammunition and surplus
business.
Equipment of every description
was shipped there for storage until sold. Pollepel
Island remained in the family's hands until 1967,
when it was sold to the State of New York and became
part of the Hudson Highlands State Park. During the
nearly 7 decades the Bannerman family owned the island,
the warehouse flourished & Francis built a summer
home for himself and his wife Helen. The house was
situated on the southern bluff of the island enjoying
one of the most extraordinary views of the Hudson
Highlands.
The munitions business
continued in operation into the 40's, but eventually
the island was abandoned. For the next three decades
the structures on the island suffered from continual
vandalism and ultimately were nearly destroyed by
arson. What remains today are the outer walls in crumbling
condition.
Finally in the Spring
of 2004, guided "hard-hat" tours have been
initiated from Newburgh & Beacon, taking you out
to the island with a guided historical tour of the
buildings and family.
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