Ashokan Reservoir Spirits, Hudson Valley, VISIT vortex

http://www.visitvortex.com The Real Story: New York City turned to the Catskills for water in the early 20th century after discovering a group of speculators calling itself the Ramapo Water Company had bought up riparian rights to many water sources further south in Rockland, Orange and Ulster counties. The Catskills were more desirable as state-owned Forest Preserve land in the region could not, under the state constitution, be sold to any other party. A recent amendment to that section of the state constitution also allowed up to 3% of the total Forest Preserve land to be flooded for reservoirs. Residents of the area to be flooded did not take kindly to the idea, and fought eminent domain proceedings bitterly. They were aided by local lawyers familiar with the checkered history of Catskill land claims. It would be 1940 until the last were settled Local opponents of the reservoir also cast doubt on its soundness, saying it could never hold enough water (it would be the largest reservoir in the world at the time), but when it was filled from 1912 to 1914, they were silenced. It covered several communities located in a valley where farming, logging, and quarrying prevailed. Approximately one thousand residents along with roads, homes, shops, farms, churches, and mills were either moved or abandoned, but most of them were torn down. Several of these communities were re-established in nearby locations. 12.45 miles (20 km) of a local railroad line (the Ulster and Delaware Railroad) was moved and cemeteries were relocated. The dam was constructed mainly by African-American labourers and Italian immigrants, who also did the job of destroying most of the trees and buildings in the area. Fights would often break out in the labor camps where the crew would eat and sleep, so a police force, which would later become the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) Police, was instated to keep peace in the camps. The dam was constructed with Rosendale cement, which at the time was the world's strongest cement. When the dam was completed, giant steam whistles blew for one hour, signaling to people in the valley to evacuate immediately. Some relocated communities survive along the reservoir's banks, such as West Shokan, Olivebridge, Ashokan and Shokan. Most, however, such as Brown's Station, are remembered in historical markers along routes 28 and 28A.

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[TimJ408]

Hey city-it, shut up and pay for your water. You don't have a clue what you are talking about. That goes for the rest of you to.

[bonzo31868]

@cypris2003  I AM FROM THE CITY AND VISIT THERE OFTEN AND I AGREE WITH YOU !!!!!! WHAT AN ASS

[bonzo31868]

interesting topic - i could do without the goofyness!!!!!!!!!!!!  by no means am i a stick in the mud but this guy does not depicts an informative description of the towns below - i already know of these towns and have seen photos of the ruins when the water recedes - lets keep sacred exactly that SACRED!!!!

[IrishBarFight]

The town he's referring to was called Brown's Station.  My great grandfather was born there, and of course..relocated with the family when everyone was moved when the reservoir was created. When the water gets low enough you can see some of the houses foundations (mainly in the upper-basin).

[cypris2003]

thats what happens when a city guy that dont know anything about the catskill talks like he knows some thing there were more then one town there idiot

[marthaxxlovee]

hey!

it's tinhead!!

remember me?!

it's martha! mary's niece!

nice video..haha=P