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Located partially in the Town of
Highlands, this beautiful park is situated along the shores of the Heritage
Hudson River, just five miles south of Highland Falls and West Point.
In 1908 There was a plan in place by the New York State Prison Commission to
erect a prison on the site of the present Bear Mountain Inn. Construction and
clearing had already begun when Mrs. Mary W. Harriman met with park officials
concerning donation of some land for a public park. In 1909 she dedicated approximately
10,000 acres in Rockland and Orange Counties
along with $1,000,000. but...with the agreement that
the commission forget the prison idea. It was agreed and development of the
Park began in 1910.
In 1915 the Bear Mountain Inn
was opened. There were many changes to the interior decoration over the
years, but lately steps are being taken to restore it to its original rustic
look.
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1917
In 1916 the State acquired Revolutionary
Forts Clinton and Montgomery. (See Fort
Montgomery)
The Trailside Museum was opened in 1927 and stresses, to
young and old alike, the importance of protecting the ecology. There are
several displays here that tell the story of some very important historical
events in this Great
Hudson Valley
area.
The Appalachian Trail runs thru the park along with many other
great hiker's trails. Information is available at
the Administration
Building.
The Perkins Memorial Tower, named after past Park Commission
President, George Perkins, sits atop the 1306 ft. summit of Bear
Mountain. The view from this tower takes in four states and the Great Hudson River
Valley clear to New York City. On April 29th, a new Merry-Go-Round
was presented to the public by Anne Perkins Cabot and George W. Perkins in
memory of their parents. This is a most beautiful and entertaining addition
to the park which offers some type of recreation for everyone and provides a
great days outing to visitors of the Town of Highlands area.
The Bear Mountain Bridge in all its majesty stretches across the
mighty Hudson.
The Bridge celebrated its 75th Year in 1999. The Bridge was privately built
with funding from the E. H. Harriman family. When it was built it was the
longest suspension bridge in the world.  Opened
to traffic on November 27, 1924, the West Point ,40 - piece
band led a parade of 400 automobiles across, filled with State and County
officials. Mrs. Harriman, carrying red roses, unveiled a bronze tablet which
can still be seen today. It was suggested by then Governor Benjamin B. O'Dell
that the bridge be named the Harriman
Memorial Bridge,
but, as of this date, it has not happened. The bridge was sold to New York State in 1940.
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VILLAGE
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