New Croton Dam Construction, circa 1902

The Croton History website recently acquired a remarkable photographic collection documenting the New Croton Dam during its construction phase. Based on the visible completion stages of the structure, historians estimate these images were captured around 1902.

The photographs feature a visitor identified as "Mr. John Fish," who appears in several shots taken at the construction site. The origin and significance of Fish's visit remain mysterious. As the article notes, "Who was Mr. Fish and why was his visit photographed?" Despite research efforts, his connection to the project—whether as a subcontractor or other capacity—remains unidentified.

The images showcase substantial construction infrastructure, including machine shops positioned below the dam (now parkland), a temporary suspension bridge spanning the Croton River, and a house serving as the construction office. One particularly significant photograph provides "a rarely seen view of the area behind the dam during construction," revealing the landscape before submersion.

The collection includes rare documentation of the Old Croton Dam, located several miles upriver, captured before its abandonment. Large stone blocks transported via railroad cars and flatbed wagons demonstrate the massive logistical operation required for the project.

The photographs contain handwritten labels applied directly to negatives in the darkroom, a labor-intensive documentation method suggesting the visit's importance to project stakeholders.