Doodletown, New York facts for kids
Doodletown was once a small, quiet village in Rockland County, New York. It was located in the Town of Stony Point, New York. In the 1960s, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission bought the land. Now, Doodletown is part of Bear Mountain State Park. It's a popular spot for people who love to hike, watch birds, study plants, and learn about history.
Doodletown is found north of Jones Point. It's west of Iona Island. Today, Doodletown is known as a ghost town. The first family to settle here in the 1700s were Huguenots. Their last name was changed to "June." They were also the very last family to leave Doodletown in the 1960s.
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History of Doodletown
The first people to live in the Doodletown valley were the Munsee Indians. In 1683, a man named Stephanus Van Cortlandt bought the land. He bought it from the Haverstraw Indians. Later, in 1762, Ithiel June bought 72 acres. He bought it from the Tomkins family, who already lived there. The name "Doodletown" likely comes from the Dutch word Dooddel. This means "dead valley." The "town" part was added later by English settlers.
Doodletown During the Revolutionary War
Doodletown was an important place during the American Revolutionary War. It was a crossroads for soldiers. Many British soldiers marched through the tiny village. They were on their way to a big battle at Fort Montgomery. The Doodletown Road was also used by troops. These troops were with Anthony Wayne. He led a successful attack on Stony Point.
Life in Early Doodletown
Early residents of Doodletown worked as loggers and miners. You can still see the remains of these old mines today. There were also small farms and local businesses. Some people worked at the Iona Island Picnic Grove. This was a resort built on Iona Island after the Civil War. Around 1900, the United States Navy bought Iona Island. They turned it into a place to store ammunition. In 1903, there was a big explosion there. A worker from Doodletown was sadly killed.
Around 1854, the Mountville Presbyterian Church was built. It served the families living in Doodletown. This building was also used as a school for the children.
Thomas Edison's Project
In the 1890s, the famous inventor Thomas Edison bought an old iron mine in Doodletown. He wanted to test a new way to refine ore. His project didn't work out. However, other iron mines had been successful in the area much earlier.
Doodletown's Peak Population
By the 1920s, Doodletown had its largest population. The village had a school, a church, and several small businesses. It also had two cemeteries and about 70 homes. Some families had lived there for many generations. During this time, many residents worked on nearby Iona Island. They worked for military or tourism businesses. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission also employed people.
Other homes were used as vacation spots. Some were lived in by retired people from New York City. Doodletown's population reached about 350 residents.
The End of Doodletown
Bear Mountain State Park began to grow in the early 1900s. It started buying land from Doodletown residents around 1920. Harriman State Park also expanded nearby. By the 1950s, most Doodletown residents had moved away. Many went to nearby Stony Point or Orange County.
Some people did not want to sell their land. The park used a process called eminent domain to buy their property. This happened by 1965. Most of the remaining buildings were torn down or moved by the late 1960s. The old roads were closed. The surrounding woods grew over the properties. In the early 1970s, a dam was built on the Timp Brook. This created a large pond. The last building left was the stone school house. It was used as a shelter for hikers. But due to damage, the park tore it down in 1980.
Today, Doodletown and nearby Iona Island are special places for birds. They were named New York State Important Bird Areas in 1997. They are also a New York State Bird Conservation Area.
Hiking in Doodletown
Today, when you visit Doodletown, you can still see many old foundations. You'll also find stone walls and staircases. The area can be reached by different trails and old roads. The village cemeteries have graves from centuries ago and more recent times. Former residents and their families can still choose to be buried there.
The park service has put up steel signs. These signs show which families owned each property. They often include old photos of the buildings. You'll find orientation signs throughout the area.
How to Access the Trails
The easiest way for hikers to get there is from a small parking area. It's on Route 9W near Iona Island. From there, you follow the Cornell Mine Trail. This trail leads to the 1777 East Trail. This path goes right into the heart of Doodletown.
You can also reach Doodletown from the south end of the Bear Mountain Inn parking lot. You go through an underpass beneath Seven Lakes Drive. Other ways to get there include from the Palisades Parkway side. You can take the Fawn Trail to the Bridle Path. Or, you can start from Jones Point and go over Dunderberg Mountain. Take the Ramapo-Dunderberg trail to the Cornell Mine trail. You can also enter from the Long Mountain Parkway side. This is a more direct way to the 1777 West Trail or the Bridle Path.
Hikers should be careful of snakes in the area. You might see rattlesnakes, copperheads, black snakes, and garters.
