In Memoriam HEIR COSTLY SACRIFICE on the altar of Freedom ' was not in vain . The world has found new hope in their love of God and service to Country . WORLD WAR I Frederick Cook Charles H. Fox Phillip V. C. Warren Joseph Quatrocchi WORLD WAR II Warren Ackerman Frank Aschman Peter N. Beet Charles W. Briggs Sheldon P. Coons Harold Eklof Santi J. Fiaminghi Irving Gerstein John V. Hughes Charles R. Jacoby Phillip Loconto William Michaels , Jr. William B. Newton Harold C. O'Riley William A. Munson William J. Wolf Psalm XXIII The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want . He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ; he leadeth me beside the still waters . He restoreth my soul ; he leadeth me in the paths of rightousness for his name's sake . Yea , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death . I will fear no evil ; for thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me . Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ; thou an- nointest my head with oil ; my cup runneth over . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life ; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever . VILLAGE OF CROTON - ON - HUDSON NEW YORK Mayor Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Treasurer ALBERT ROZELL F. EARL LEACH FORDYCE E. EDWARDS FRED B. DORNER MILLARD K. BEYER FRANK FINNERTY Clerk Village Attorney Chief of Police Police Justice Water Works Supt . Recreation Director Supt . of Public Works Building Inspector Assessor Assessor Assessor JOSEPH A. ZERELLO CARL R. D'ALVIA GEORGE DOBBS , JR . JOHN J. SLATTERY BURLIN MUNSON RALPH DAMIANO JOSEPH GILBERT ALAN MacDOUGALL LEONARD W.

VILLAGE OF CROTON - ON - HUDSON NEW YORK Mayor Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Treasurer ALBERT ROZELL F. EARL LEACH FORDYCE E. EDWARDS FRED B. DORNER MILLARD K. BEYER FRANK FINNERTY Clerk Village Attorney Chief of Police Police Justice Water Works Supt . Recreation Director Supt . of Public Works Building Inspector Assessor Assessor Assessor JOSEPH A. ZERELLO CARL R. D'ALVIA GEORGE DOBBS , JR . JOHN J. SLATTERY BURLIN MUNSON RALPH DAMIANO JOSEPH GILBERT ALAN MacDOUGALL LEONARD W. SHARPE SALVATORE VASSALLO WILLIAM A. PORTCHMOUTH A Brief Historical Sketch of Croton - on - Hudson By O. Wendell Hogue and Veronica Gilbert Agne The Beginning For hundreds of years , no one knows how long , the Kitchewan In- dians lived in what is now Croton- on - Hudson . Arrowheads and various implements which have been found on Croton Point in recent years bear evidence of the inhabitance of the Indians in this area . They roam- ed the forests , picked fruit , hunted wild animals for food and clothing and caught fish in the river . History records little of their activities in this region . The First White Man Contrary to popular opinion , the first white man to sail up the Hud- son River was Giovanni Da Verra- zano , the explorer . He discovered New York Bay and sailed his boat some distance up the river in 1524. * For some years after this French navigators sailed up the river to trade with the Indians , and while history does not record where they stopped , one naturally concludes that they could hardly have avoided stopping at Croton Point . They did not settle here , however , as did the Dutch and English later . The Advent of Henry Hudson The popular history of our com- munity begins on September 3 , 1609 .

He discovered New York Bay and sailed his boat some distance up the river in 1524. * For some years after this French navigators sailed up the river to trade with the Indians , and while history does not record where they stopped , one naturally concludes that they could hardly have avoided stopping at Croton Point . They did not settle here , however , as did the Dutch and English later . The Advent of Henry Hudson The popular history of our com- munity begins on September 3 , 1609 . On that day Henry Hudson , an Eng- lishman , in a ship named the " Half- Moon , " flying the Dutch Flag of the Dutch East Indies Company of Holland , entered the New York Har- bor and sailed up the river . He be- lieved he had found à new route to China and Asia . His exploit later gave the river its name , the Hud- son . The Indians had previously called the river " Shatamuc " which means " The river that flows both ways . " The colored glass portrayal of the " Half - Moon " on the entrance to the Pierre Van Cortlandt Ele- Encyclopedia Brittanica , Vol . 23 , 1945 : p . 90B . ** Alvin McCaslin Higgins , The Story of Croton , Quarterly Bulletin , Westches- ter County Historical Society , Vol . 16 , No. 3 , July 1940 , pp . 55-57 . mentary School commemorates this event . The point of land which we call Croton Point was known to the In- dians as Senasqua . After the Dutch came it was called Teller's Point for over a hundred years . The Van Cortlandts In the year 1681 , Stephanus Van Cortlandt built the Van Cortlandt Manor House on the Albany Post Road at the Croton River .

" The colored glass portrayal of the " Half - Moon " on the entrance to the Pierre Van Cortlandt Ele- Encyclopedia Brittanica , Vol . 23 , 1945 : p . 90B . ** Alvin McCaslin Higgins , The Story of Croton , Quarterly Bulletin , Westches- ter County Historical Society , Vol . 16 , No. 3 , July 1940 , pp . 55-57 . mentary School commemorates this event . The point of land which we call Croton Point was known to the In- dians as Senasqua . After the Dutch came it was called Teller's Point for over a hundred years . The Van Cortlandts In the year 1681 , Stephanus Van Cortlandt built the Van Cortlandt Manor House on the Albany Post Road at the Croton River . It was originally built as a fort for protec- tion against the Indians . Here he lived with his wife and eleven chil- dren ; here he died in 1700 at the age of 57 . In 1697 , 88 years after the little " Half - Moon , " had sailed Stephanus Van Cortlandt acquired practically all of the land of Northern West- chester , between Connecticut and the Hudson River , and as far north as Putnam County . For some years he , along with other Dutch settlers , had resided in this area . Upon the death of Stephanus , his eldest surviving son , Philip , became the head of the Manor House . Philip had four sons , Stephen , Abram , John , and Pierre . He died in 1747 PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT having devised the Manor House to his son Pierre . Pierre , the grandson of Stephanus , the most outstanding of all the Van Cortlandts , was born January 10 , 1721.

For some years he , along with other Dutch settlers , had resided in this area . Upon the death of Stephanus , his eldest surviving son , Philip , became the head of the Manor House . Philip had four sons , Stephen , Abram , John , and Pierre . He died in 1747 PIERRE VAN CORTLANDT having devised the Manor House to his son Pierre . Pierre , the grandson of Stephanus , the most outstanding of all the Van Cortlandts , was born January 10 , 1721. In 1748 , he married Joanna Livingston . His public career began in 1768 when he was elected to the state assembly . He presided over the convention which drafted the state's first constitution . He was active in the Revolutionary War , and served in the Provincial Con- gress . In 1777 he became lieutenant- governor , a position to which he was periodically reelected for eight- een years . While Lord of the Manor he entertained many dignitaries , including George Washington , Ben- jamin Franklin , Lafayette , Steuben and De Rochambeau . Pierre Van Cortlandt died at the Manor House on May 1 , 1814 . The next head of the Manor was Philip , son of Pierre . Philip dis- tinguished himself as a General in the Revolutionary War and mem- ber of Congress for sixteen years . General Philip Van Cortlandt died on November 2 , 1831 , and his son Pierre , grandson of the first Pierre came into possession of the Manor . Pierre resided here until his death in 1884. Pierre's widow Catherine Beck Van Cortlandt next occupied the Manor with her children Cath- erine Van Cortlandt Matthew , James Stevenson Van Cortlandt and Anne Stevenson Van Cortland . All are now deceased .

Philip dis- tinguished himself as a General in the Revolutionary War and mem- ber of Congress for sixteen years . General Philip Van Cortlandt died on November 2 , 1831 , and his son Pierre , grandson of the first Pierre came into possession of the Manor . Pierre resided here until his death in 1884. Pierre's widow Catherine Beck Van Cortlandt next occupied the Manor with her children Cath- erine Van Cortlandt Matthew , James Stevenson Van Cortlandt and Anne Stevenson Van Cortland . All are now deceased . After the death of Anne Stevenson Van Cortlandt , the Manor House was purchased by Otis Chatfield- Taylor . Mr. Taylor died as the re- sult of an accident and his widow Mrs. Otis Chatfield - Taylor and son reside in the Mansion . André and Arnold No history of our community is complete without at least a brief account of the activities of Andre ' and Arnold . The story , as told by Alvin Higgins ** follows : The confusion or uncertainty of facts with regard to the story of This Page Donated By NATHANIEL N. H. BLUMENKRANZ , M.D. VAN CORTLANDT MANOR Andre ' and Arnold have caused many versions of it to be written . One as- pect which none of them contradict , however , reflects with credit upon the Croton - on - Hudson patriots . The British warship " Vulture " an- chored above Teller's ( now Croton ) Point , in plain view of this little hamlet . While the warship awaited Andre's arrival from New York ( he had come to Dobbs Ferry by horse and was being rowed up the Hudson to the ship ) , a barge load of sailors from the Vulture rowed over to the Croton shore to reconnoitre , to as- certain whether it was in the hands of the Whigs or the Tories .

The British warship " Vulture " an- chored above Teller's ( now Croton ) Point , in plain view of this little hamlet . While the warship awaited Andre's arrival from New York ( he had come to Dobbs Ferry by horse and was being rowed up the Hudson to the ship ) , a barge load of sailors from the Vulture rowed over to the Croton shore to reconnoitre , to as- certain whether it was in the hands of the Whigs or the Tories . On chat eventful September day in 1780 , two Croton men Moses Sher- wood and John Peterson ( the lat- ter a colored man who had served in General Van Cortlandt's West- chester militia were making cider on the land now known as Orchard Hill situated about where the Ed- ward Howard Griggs residence stands . Although the Croton countryside was not occupied by troops , it was , like the rest of Westchester , troubled by the pests that kept farmers awake nights and demanded cau- tion all day long - those marauding bands of men , the " Cowboys " and the " Skinners . " Prepared for them , Moses Sherwood and John Peterson had their muskets leaning against the nearest apple tree . As they worked , they espied the British war- ship's boat being rowed toward the Croton shore . All day long the Cro- * Croton Journal , August 31 , 1906 ton neighbors had discussed the strange ship at anchor above Tel- ler's Point , knowing that it was a ship of His Majesty's Navy . Moses and John dropped their cider making , grabbed their muskets and powder horns , and ran down into the tangled growth among the trees which lined Croton's shore .

As they worked , they espied the British war- ship's boat being rowed toward the Croton shore . All day long the Cro- * Croton Journal , August 31 , 1906 ton neighbors had discussed the strange ship at anchor above Tel- ler's Point , knowing that it was a ship of His Majesty's Navy . Moses and John dropped their cider making , grabbed their muskets and powder horns , and ran down into the tangled growth among the trees which lined Croton's shore . Without waiting for the barge to get nearer , both men blazed away . The seamen , apparently deciding immediately that Croton was not Tory ground , put hard about , bent to their oars and retreated to the Vulture . Yet this was not victory enough for the black and white army ol Croton . They assembled all the neighbors available to throw har- ness and trappings on several horses and rode as fast as they could up the Post Road , out the King's Ferry Road to Verplanck's Point where the little fort under Colonel Livingstone listened to their story , agreed to loan them a four - pounder ; and be- fore dark , the farm horses were dragging down the Post Road to Croton and out on to Teller's Point the light artillery which had an effect upon the destiny of America . It was almost daylight before the horses deposited the cannon where it could be dragged into position under cover of the underbrush and thickly wooded peninsula . As soon as the " Vulture " could be sighted off shore in the semi - darkiness before dawn , a flash and a roar startled the British marines from their slumber . The first shot of the can- non splintered a spar on the war- ship .

It was almost daylight before the horses deposited the cannon where it could be dragged into position under cover of the underbrush and thickly wooded peninsula . As soon as the " Vulture " could be sighted off shore in the semi - darkiness before dawn , a flash and a roar startled the British marines from their slumber . The first shot of the can- non splintered a spar on the war- ship . Major Andre ' had been rowed ashore before midnight and had arrived already at Joshua Smith's ' treason house " above Haverstraw . History says that he was much agi- tated when he heard the echo of heavy firing down around Teller's Point , but he was too far away to see that the " Vulture " had weighed an- chor and disappeared down the River around the Point . The Croton army hitched the heavy farm horses to the light artillery and went home to brag about how they had licked che English Navy . But they were wholly unaware that they had thwarted Arnold and Andre . It was days , even , before they learned of the treason plot . Friends ' Meeting House * An historic landmark of the Vil- lage is the site of The Friends ' Meeting House on Grand Street . The property was originally owned by the Verplanck family , and by them was sold to Richard Bradford who , in turn , sold it to John Conklin . On November 11 , 1797 the Society of Friends purchased the property from John Conklin for a meeting house and burial ground . The pur- chase price was " twenty - two pounds , ten shillings " , lawful money of the State of New York . ( approximately $ 112.50 ) The meeting house was erected and was used for generations .

The property was originally owned by the Verplanck family , and by them was sold to Richard Bradford who , in turn , sold it to John Conklin . On November 11 , 1797 the Society of Friends purchased the property from John Conklin for a meeting house and burial ground . The pur- chase price was " twenty - two pounds , ten shillings " , lawful money of the State of New York . ( approximately $ 112.50 ) The meeting house was erected and was used for generations . About 1835 there was a dissension in the Society , brought about by the teach- ings and influence of John Hicks , which resulted in a separation of the members . The title of the prop- erty remained with the Orthodox Friends . The Hicksites voluntarily withdrew , and for some time they occupied the house at the southern end of the property for meeting pur- poses . Later Mrs. John Haines oc- cupied the house for forty years , and was a faithful custodian of the property . On the plain slabs of the burying ground were the names of William Purdy , Jasper Sherwood , Edmund Jordan , William A. Underhill , Rich- ard Talcott , Abraham Bise , John Cocks , Daniel E. Haviland , Charles C. Varney , Rebecca H. Tate , Rachel Williams and Catherine Ackerly . Many of the descendants of these people reside in Croton - on - Hudson and vicinity today . Some time after 1903 the Meeting House was razed and the bodies interred in the Quaker Burying Ground were re- moved to other cemeteries . This Page Donated By ALFRED BLAZER , M.D. QUAKER MEETING HOUSE Early Industry The earliest settlers in the ham- let were the Dutch .

Tate , Rachel Williams and Catherine Ackerly . Many of the descendants of these people reside in Croton - on - Hudson and vicinity today . Some time after 1903 the Meeting House was razed and the bodies interred in the Quaker Burying Ground were re- moved to other cemeteries . This Page Donated By ALFRED BLAZER , M.D. QUAKER MEETING HOUSE Early Industry The earliest settlers in the ham- let were the Dutch . They were fol- lowed by the English . Easy water transportation , the proximity to thriving New York and cheap labor were factors conducive to trade and industry in the early days of Cro- ton history . The chief industries in the early history of our village were flour milling and brick making . Croton Point for years was known for its grapes , apples , and culti- vated hot house roses . Croton Point Park Many years prior to World War I , Croton Point had ceased to be of any particular economic value . The clay had been exhausted for brickmaking , the vineyards and or- chards were no more and the hot houses were gone . When considera- tion was being given to making the peninsula a factory site the County of Westchester in 1924 purchased the Point and converted it into a recreation park . The Iron Horse The first great change in the quiet rural life of Croton ( called Collabergh Landing when the Point was Teller's Point ) came with the advent of the steam engine in 1849 . Men employed by the New York Central Railroad Company made their homes in Croton . Transporta- tion facilties made it possible for people to work in New York and reside in a small rural community . Soon the railroad made Croton a commuting residential village .

The Iron Horse The first great change in the quiet rural life of Croton ( called Collabergh Landing when the Point was Teller's Point ) came with the advent of the steam engine in 1849 . Men employed by the New York Central Railroad Company made their homes in Croton . Transporta- tion facilties made it possible for people to work in New York and reside in a small rural community . Soon the railroad made Croton a commuting residential village . The Croton Dam The second great change affecting the village came a half century after the coming of the railroad . Between 1892 and 1905 , New York City built the famous Dam to con- serve all the waters in the chain of Croton Lakes . The structural and financial difficulties in the building of the Dam were many . After sev- eral years of trouble New York City engaged John Byron Goldsborough as engineer . Mr. Goldsborough com- pleted the Dam in 1905. The Croton Dam is the second largest hand hewn masonry job in the world ; it is exceeded only by the Great Pyra- mids of Egypt . During the building of the Dam it was necessary to import many artisans from Italy . Some of them returned to Italy with their earn- ings , but many made their homes in Croton - on - Hudson . Their chil- dren and grandchildren are num- erous in the village today . Annexation of Harmon The real estate development com- pany of Wood , Harmon and Com- pany purchased the farm which constituted the area known as Har- mon and laid it out in streets and lots in 1907. Lots were sold between 1907 and 1909 , and in 1909 a few houses were built . Wood , Harmon and Company maintained the streets , furnished water and elec- tricity and provided garbage col- lection .

Their chil- dren and grandchildren are num- erous in the village today . Annexation of Harmon The real estate development com- pany of Wood , Harmon and Com- pany purchased the farm which constituted the area known as Har- mon and laid it out in streets and lots in 1907. Lots were sold between 1907 and 1909 , and in 1909 a few houses were built . Wood , Harmon and Company maintained the streets , furnished water and elec- tricity and provided garbage col- lection . In December 1926 , when Harmon had about 140 homes , a small num- ber of residents signed a petition to incorporate Harmon as a village . This proposition met with so much opposition that it failed . In April 1928 , a mass meeting was held in the Croton High School and the Harmon Planning Commit- tee was formed , with the purpose of deciding whether Harmon should CROTON DAM This Page Donated By NATHANIEL P. BROOKS , M.D. remain a hamlet , incorporate or annex to Croton - on - Hudson . The committee could not agree and was dissolved . On July 21 , 1928 , the Harmon Annexation Party of 102 members , with Ernest S. Holcombe as chair- man , was organized at a meeting at Mikado Inn . In November and December , 1929 , petitions were signed by over 70 per cent of voters to annex Harmon and Mt. Airy , another section to the northeast and adjoining Croton- on - Hudson , as well as a small rural section to the north which was known as Oscawana . The proposi- tion was favorably carried by a public referendum held on June 25 , 1930 , and the annexation became effective July 1 , 1930. Thus was created the present enlarged village of Croton - on - Hudson .

In November and December , 1929 , petitions were signed by over 70 per cent of voters to annex Harmon and Mt. Airy , another section to the northeast and adjoining Croton- on - Hudson , as well as a small rural section to the north which was known as Oscawana . The proposi- tion was favorably carried by a public referendum held on June 25 , 1930 , and the annexation became effective July 1 , 1930. Thus was created the present enlarged village of Croton - on - Hudson . Incorporation of Croton - on - Hudson Fifty years ago , on February 12 , 1898 , Croton - on - Hudson was incor- porated as a village under the laws of the State of New York . Previous to this time the community was an unincorporated hamlet . In the spring of 1948 the Croton Lions Club proposed a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the incor- poration of the village . It is most Village Management Croton - on - Hudson , a village of approximately 4500 population , is managed by a Mayor and four Trus- tees elected by the people . All per- sonnel , except the Police Justice , are appointed by the Village Board . The personnel of the Village of- fice consists of a Treasurer , a Clerk and a Junior Clerk . The Water Department is com- posed of the Water Superintendent and three assistants . A Chief , Lieutenant and six Pa- trolmen make up the Police De- partment . Elected by the people at the reg- ular village election , the Police Jus- tice serves a four - year term . The Pubic Works Department consists of the Superintendent , a general foreman , three motor - equip- ment operators and eight laborers .

The personnel of the Village of- fice consists of a Treasurer , a Clerk and a Junior Clerk . The Water Department is com- posed of the Water Superintendent and three assistants . A Chief , Lieutenant and six Pa- trolmen make up the Police De- partment . Elected by the people at the reg- ular village election , the Police Jus- tice serves a four - year term . The Pubic Works Department consists of the Superintendent , a general foreman , three motor - equip- ment operators and eight laborers . At the beginning of each fiscal year the Board appoints a Village Counsel . The Board of Assessors is com- fitting that we unite in reviewing our past and give credit to those who have made the present possible . It is regrettable that we cannot record all the names of those citi- zens who have helped in the devel- opment of our village . It is obvious that this would be mpossible in this brief history . World War I In 1917-18 the citizens of Croton- on - Hudson did their part in the prosecution of World War I. Able bodied young men of military age entered the armed forces . The people at home assisted in all ways possible . Four young men paid the supreme sacrifice . They were Fred- erick Cook , Charles H. Fox , Joseph Quatrocchi and Philip V. C. War- ren . Their names are inscribed with the dead of World War II on the memorial erected by the Village and dedicated on Memorial Day 1948. The inscription reads " Let us live for those who have fallen that in our lives they may be resur- rected . " World War II On Sunday afternoon , December 7 , 1941 , the radios blasted forth the announcement that Japan had at- tacked us at Pearl Harbor .

Their names are inscribed with the dead of World War II on the memorial erected by the Village and dedicated on Memorial Day 1948. The inscription reads " Let us live for those who have fallen that in our lives they may be resur- rected . " World War II On Sunday afternoon , December 7 , 1941 , the radios blasted forth the announcement that Japan had at- tacked us at Pearl Harbor . War was declared and once again we were Village Management posed of three members , each as- sessor serving three years , alter- nating so that one assesor is ap- pointed each year . A Building Inspector is selected each year at the annual reorganiza- tion meeting of the Village Board . The Planning Board consists of four members . The Board of Appeals is made up of five members . Recreation in the Village is in charge of a full - time Director of Recreation . He works with the Youth Activities Committee which makes recommendations to the Vil- lage Board . The Board also ap- points part - time Supervisors Recreation . in a global struggle . A total of 643 men and women from our village entered the armed forces and al- lied organizations . The people at home united to give material and spiritual help to those in the armed forces . Jules Fisher represented the village on the Draft Board for the duration of the war . They carried on until Japan surrendered in August 1945. Soon thereafter our men and women in the armed forces came home - but not all of them . Some had " given their all " and were buried in many parts of the world and at sea . Those who died in the service from our Village were Warren Ackerman , Frank G.

Jules Fisher represented the village on the Draft Board for the duration of the war . They carried on until Japan surrendered in August 1945. Soon thereafter our men and women in the armed forces came home - but not all of them . Some had " given their all " and were buried in many parts of the world and at sea . Those who died in the service from our Village were Warren Ackerman , Frank G. Asch- mann , Peter Beet , Charles Willis Briggs , Sheldon P. Coons , Harold Eklof , Santi Fiaminghi , Irving Ger- stein , John Hughes , Charles Jacoby , Philip Loconto , William C. Michaels , William A. Munson , William B. New- ton , Harold C. O'Riley and William J. Wolf . Educational , Religious and Fraternal Life in The Village The record of the educational , re- ligious and fraternal life of Croton- on - Hudson is included in the life history of the various schools , churches , fraternities and service organizations which are so import- ant in Croton - on - Hudson today . Charles H. Acly Franklin B. Decker George W. Baker James F. Hunt John O'Neil Charles E. Grattan 1899 1900 1901 . Edward White 1902-1904 1904 1905 1906-1903 1908-1912 1912-1917 1917 ... Clarence E. Powell Charles E. Anderson 1918 1919 1920 1921-1923 1924-1927 of 1927-1929 1929-1935 1935-1936 1937-1939 A Custodian and Assistant Cus- todian assume the responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Municipal Building . 1898 Presidents and Mayors Of Our Village PRESIDENTS ... Charles E. Grattan George W. Baker Charles E. Anderson Ezra C. Ferris Charles E. Anderson Fred L. Fox Hector W. Thomas MAYORS Arthur Morton George Miller 1935 ( part time ) Hector W. Thomas 1939-1948 Simeon Gilbert * Clarence E.

Anderson 1918 1919 1920 1921-1923 1924-1927 of 1927-1929 1929-1935 1935-1936 1937-1939 A Custodian and Assistant Cus- todian assume the responsibilities for the care and maintenance of the Municipal Building . 1898 Presidents and Mayors Of Our Village PRESIDENTS ... Charles E. Grattan George W. Baker Charles E. Anderson Ezra C. Ferris Charles E. Anderson Fred L. Fox Hector W. Thomas MAYORS Arthur Morton George Miller 1935 ( part time ) Hector W. Thomas 1939-1948 Simeon Gilbert * Clarence E. Powell ..... Albert Rozell * Simeon Gilbert served 33 years of these 50 years as Village Trustee and was still in office at the time of his death . This Page Donated By LEO V. FEICHTNER , M.D. Youth Activities Committee In order to assist the Village Board in planning and providing clean and wholesome recreation for the children of our community , the Youth Activities Committee was formed in May 1945 , consisting of 28 members , with John Slattery as Chairman . In 1946 the Committee acquired the services of a full time Recrea- tion Director , who assisted in or- ganizing a well - balanced recreation program with emphasis on the chil- dren and teen - agers of the village . Recreation Great strides have subsequently been taken in the program and the attendance and registration have increased three - fold . The Chairman at present is Ralph Bickford . Croton Swimming Association Starting with 216 members , in July 1938 , the Croton Swimming Association has increased its mem- bership to 415. The Association supervises and operates such pools and adjacent grounds as may be assigned to it by the Village Board or Youth Activities Committee , or both . The first year the Black Rock pools were used , much of the work was done by volunteers .

The Chairman at present is Ralph Bickford . Croton Swimming Association Starting with 216 members , in July 1938 , the Croton Swimming Association has increased its mem- bership to 415. The Association supervises and operates such pools and adjacent grounds as may be assigned to it by the Village Board or Youth Activities Committee , or both . The first year the Black Rock pools were used , much of the work was done by volunteers . In 1943 , when Black Rock was sold , the Vil- lage bought Silver Lake . From then on , the Swimming Association , with the help of its members and the Vil- lage , has continued to develop Sil- ver Lake . At present there are a Director and three life guards at the Lake , salaries paid by the Vil- lage . Robert Lasher was the Associa- tion's first President - Thomas Wol- cott is President today . Bethel Chapel The land , on which Bethel Chapel stands , consisting of four acres , was ceded to Croton Landing by Pierre Van Cortlandt in 1777. It was origi- nally used as a burial ground . This chapel , built in 1780 , is one of the historical land - marks of our village . Among many famous per- sons who attended services at the chapel are George Washington and Bishop Francis Asbury , first Bishop of American Methodism . The building was restored to its original likeness by the Trustees of Bethel Cemetery and re - dedicated June 22 , 1936 . St. Augustine's Episcopal Church As early as 1851 there was an Episcopal Mission in Croton . In 1853 the Rev. Augustus V. Clarkson became Minister in charge of a congregation which held services in the Public School - now Noah Clinton residence . the In January 1855 a plot of ground was donated by Philip Van Wyck of Sing Sing for the purpose of building a church - at which time St.

The building was restored to its original likeness by the Trustees of Bethel Cemetery and re - dedicated June 22 , 1936 . St. Augustine's Episcopal Church As early as 1851 there was an Episcopal Mission in Croton . In 1853 the Rev. Augustus V. Clarkson became Minister in charge of a congregation which held services in the Public School - now Noah Clinton residence . the In January 1855 a plot of ground was donated by Philip Van Wyck of Sing Sing for the purpose of building a church - at which time St. Augustine's was incorporated under the title of " Rector , Wardens and Vestrymen of the Church of St. Augustine " . The Rev. A. V. Clarkson , who became the first Rec- tor , served the church for 51 years and is still remembered by many of the older residents with deep af- fection . The cornerstone was laid in 1857 , with a copy of the Holy Bible and the Book of Common Prayer de- posited in the cavity . In 1882 two Churches adjoining buildings - used as a Sun- day School and class room respec- tively - were added to the original structure . At this time the church was renovated and on May 26 , 1882 , it was consecrated by Bishop Sey- mour of Springfield , Ill . The Rev. Gerardus Beekman is the Rector today . Holy Name of Mary Church The first Croton parish of the Holy Name of Mary was establish- ed in 1874 with Ossining Clergy in attendance . Mass was celebrated once a month in the White resi- dence on Mt. Airy Road and later in the Trainor building on Riverside Avenue . on Finally a church was built Church Street with the Rev. Patrick McGovern the first resident Pastor .

Gerardus Beekman is the Rector today . Holy Name of Mary Church The first Croton parish of the Holy Name of Mary was establish- ed in 1874 with Ossining Clergy in attendance . Mass was celebrated once a month in the White resi- dence on Mt. Airy Road and later in the Trainor building on Riverside Avenue . on Finally a church was built Church Street with the Rev. Patrick McGovern the first resident Pastor . Father McGovern was Pastor from 1877 to 1892 . In 1894 a parish was established at Croton Dam , and in 1898 a new church ( now the Parochial School ) was erected on Grand Street . This church was in use until the present- day church and rectory were built and dedicated in 1929. In this same year a mission church , the Good Shepherd , was erected in the Har- mon section . The two churches have a total of 1200 parishioners with the Rev. Ed- ward A. McGrath as their Pastor . Asbury Methodist Church The Asbury Methodist Church , organized in 1881 as the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church , had the Rev. D. W. C. Van Gaasback as its first minister and William Emery , Augustus Dyckman , Gilbert Holmes , John Morton and Nathaniel Tuttle its first Trustees . Today its minister is Rev. Char- les J. F. Keil ; Trustees are Eugene Barton , Edward Briggs , Victor Grant , Lester Maylath , Alva New- comer , Charles Tubbs , F. William Schnell , Sarkiss Sarkissian and Al- bert Swanson . Its membership at the present time is 300 . First Church of Christ Scientist First Church of Christ , Scientist , Harmon , was organized and a church building erected on Young Avenue , Harmon , in 1926 , at which time the community cooperated in the building of the edifice .

Keil ; Trustees are Eugene Barton , Edward Briggs , Victor Grant , Lester Maylath , Alva New- comer , Charles Tubbs , F. William Schnell , Sarkiss Sarkissian and Al- bert Swanson . Its membership at the present time is 300 . First Church of Christ Scientist First Church of Christ , Scientist , Harmon , was organized and a church building erected on Young Avenue , Harmon , in 1926 , at which time the community cooperated in the building of the edifice . In 1928 the building was sold . A corner lot at Penfield Avenue and Benedict Boulevard was bought and a new structure was erected . · This new Edifice was dedicated on Sunday , June 27 , 1948 , after the mortgage was paid and the property was free from all indebtedness . Christian Science Services are held Sunday mornings . The Lesson- Sermons consist of citations from the Bible and from " Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures . " These books are the only preach- ers . Sunday School convenes Sun- day mornings . The Wednesday evening meetings include readings from the Bible and Science and Health , testimonies of healing , and experiences and re- marks on Christian Science . There is a reading room in the Church Building , open to the pub- lic Wednesday afternoons , where authorized Christian Science Liter- This Page Donated By A. VICTOR LANDES , M.D.

" These books are the only preach- ers . Sunday School convenes Sun- day mornings . The Wednesday evening meetings include readings from the Bible and Science and Health , testimonies of healing , and experiences and re- marks on Christian Science . There is a reading room in the Church Building , open to the pub- lic Wednesday afternoons , where authorized Christian Science Liter- This Page Donated By A. VICTOR LANDES , M.D.