History of the Palisades Interstate Park.
Late 1890
Quarries lined the Palisades Cliffs, marring their natural beauty and creating a racket that shook both sides of the Hudson River. George Walbridge Perkins, who lived at Wave Hill in the Bronx, was the first to take action to preserve the cliffs.
1895-1896
A Palisades Study Commission was established.
The Englewood chapter of the NJ Federation of Women’s Clubs, including Elizabeth Vermilye, Adaline Sterling and Mrs. Chester Loomis, led an “inquiry concerning questions of public significance” and set their sights on preserving the Palisades.
1899
NY Governor Theodore Roosevelt and NJ Governor Foster Voorhees (pictured) appointed another study commission to review the Palisades, particularly the quarrying of the cliffs. Action was recommended.
1899
The Palisades Interstate Park Commission was established, and George Walbridge Perkins (pictured) was asked by Governor Roosevelt to serve as the first Chair of the Commission.
Chairman George Perkins met with J. Pierpont Morgan and secured a commitment of $125,000 and an introduction to John D. Rockefeller, Sr.
On December 25, 1900,
dynamiting of the New Jersey Palisades ceased.
1909
A dedication was held at Alpine Headquarters celebrating the establishment of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission.
George Perkins announced his own donation and those of Cleveland H. Dodge, J.P. Morgan, Lydia G. Lawrence, and Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Twombly.
Edward Henry (E.H.) Harriman deeded 10,000 acres to the Commission, together with $1,000,000 (handed here by W. Averell Harriman to George W. Perkins), provided others would join him in preserving the Palisades.
1913
First Group Camp opened at Harriman State Park.
1915
Bear Mountain Inn opened its doors and quickly became a premier respite for families looking to escape NYC. Bear Mountain and the Park continue to serve as an accessible and affordable get-away for city dwellers.
1930s
The Rockefeller family donated significant land to the Palisades Interstate Park, including the Byway and Rockefeller Lookout.
1958
Dedication of the Palisades Interstate Parkway provided a scenic 42-mile ride from the George Washington Bridge to the Bear Mountain Bridge.
1980
Storm King Mountain, thanks to land donations by the Calvin W. Stillman family and support from numerous environmental advocates and conservation organizations, protects 1,888 acres in a formal agreement.
1986
After a 17-year effort, Minnewaska State Park was born, encompassing 13,000 acres.
Originally established by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Fort Lee Historic Park was refurbished in 2004 for the its Centennial Celebration.
1998
Sterling Forest’s 16,380 acres become part of the Palisades Interstate Park, guaranteeing permanent protection.
Important Firsts.
First government-sponsored historic site, Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site located in Newburgh, NY (1850)
First interstate institution formed solely for the conservation of scenic features (1900)
First system of organized group camping (1906)
FIRST GROUP CAMPS IN HARRIMAN STATE PARK (1913)
First nature and science education museum (1920
First section of the Appalachian Trail was blazed in Harriman State Park (1923)
First nature trail (1925)
First scenic " highway" - the Henry Hudson Drive - that meanders along the New Jersey shore below the Palisades cliffs (construction begun in 1912)
Most visited park system in the East, with more than five million visitors annually by 1925
RatifIed by an Act of U. S. Congress in 1937
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