The claims cited above are not ones you’d think to associate with Mountain Lakes Park—a 1,000-plus-acre preserve that is in both North Salem and Lewisboro—given its quiet seclusion. However, those were the tag lines, along with “…the Great Lakes, the Adirondacks and a rolling countryside in miniature,” that were used in a New York real estate pamphlet in the 1950s looking for buyers of the former “Port of Missing Men.” Despite the marketing flair and exaggeration, the advertisement did capture some of the spirit and history of the park.
From the land’s purchase in the 1700s from the Tankiteke Sachemdom of the Wappinger Tribe, and through its ownership by Joseph Sarles and George Bailey, nephew to H. Bailey who founded the first American Circus, this area of northeast Westchester County was used for hunting and farming. It was in the early 1900s under the ownership of Henry Anderson, a wealthy attorney, that roads, sewers, dams, and wells were constructed in an attempt to create a development that would rival Tuxedo Park. In another crafty marketing move, “The Port of Missing Men,” a barn converted into a restaurant with glassed-in porches and views of the rolling hills was created. The restaurant, named after a popular book of the time that was set in the hills of rural Virginia, attracted over 20,000 visitors until its closure in the 1930s. Of course, the plan to make this Tuxedo Park East never got off the ground, in part due to World War I. Following the Second World War, the land was apparently given serious consideration as a headquarters for the United Nations, hence the “Almost World Capital” claim.
One of my neighbors (and we live in the “poor” area) covered the real rich folks in our area:
It always cracks me up that Cynthia is always quoted in these things… because she’s always around. She’s my next-door neighbor, and she is involved in various town council type affairs.
C.J.F. Decker was Clerk of the Supreme Court from 1898 to 1926, leaving that position to serve as the newlyelected Westchester County Clerk. Decker was very active in supporting the war effort on the home front. He was
also passionate about supporting the growth and the use of the automobile, recommending municipal parking and
compulsory liability insurance laws. A great family man
and community activist, well-known throughout the
Republican Party, the county and state, he worked
tirelessly into his seventies.
He married Clara Gregory in 1900 and they moved
into their new home on what was then called Hillside
Avenue (now Juengstville Road) next to George Juengst,
Jr. Finding that home too small for their growing family
(Madeleine, born in 1901 and Charlotte in 1908), the
Deckers bought another home just a few hundred feet
away known as “The Big House” in 1912.
This cedar-shingled residence in neo-Dutch colonial
style dates to the early 1900s. The wrap-around porch
at the front and sides took advantage of the hillside
position overlooking the Croton River. The enormous entry, the high ceilings, the beautiful
oak paneling throughout the house and the fireplaces speak to a late Victorian demand for
comfortable family living on a grand scale. In the mid-20th century, dormers were added
in the front and rear and clapboard siding was installed. In 1980, piano and harpsichord
teacher Muriel Brooks purchased the house and named it “Harmony Hill.”
Ms. Brooks died a few years back, and I bought a bunch of her opera CDs, books, and cocktail glasses. It was an interesting interior. It is a strange-looking house, and unfortunately, nobody seems to have bought it yet.
Huh. The sketch of the back looks just like the picture of the front other than the existence of 3rd story windows (and the design of all the windows).
That’s kind of weird in and of itself, especially given the non-symmetry. But, back and front, I agree that it’s an ugly house.
Okay, this is reminding me of idiot neighbors who used to attract coyotes to our neighborhood.
Let’s look at the list of advice:
Do not feed coyotes;
Do not leave food outside. Pet food and garbage attract coyotes and other wildlife and increase risks to people and pets;
Do not feed pets outside;
Prevent access to garbage;
Fence or enclose compost piles;
Eliminate availability of birdseed, as concentrations of birds and rodents that come to feeders can attract coyotes;
Do not allow coyotes to approach people or pets. If you see a coyote, be aggressive in your behavior: stand tall and hold your arms up or out to look as large as possible. If a coyote lingers for too long, make loud noises, wave arms, and throw sticks and stones;
Teach children to appreciate coyotes from a distance;
Do not allow pets to run free. Supervise outdoor pets to keep them safe from coyotes and other wildlife, especially at sunset and at night - Small dogs and cats are especially vulnerable;
Fence yards to deter coyotes. The fence should be more than four feet tall, and tight to the ground, preferably extending six inches below ground level;
Remove brush and tall grass from around homes to reduce protective cover for coyotes. Coyotes are typically secretive and like areas where they can hide;
Ask neighbors to follow these steps to prevent coyote conflicts.
So, I don’t think the idiot neighbors had pets, or kept poultry. They didn’t have a fenced yard, but I think we’re about the only people around here w/ a fenced yard. I don’t go checking, though.
The main thing was they deliberately put food outside… to feed… the deer?
Seriously, the deer do NOT need feeding. DO NOT FEED THE DEER.
Anyway, the coyotes were well-fed while those idiots lived in our neighborhood. Those people are no longer here and we haven’t seen coyotes…
…but now there are foxes.
Which ate two of our ducks. Dammit. That was a couple weeks ago. That was partly our fault, from our electric fencing being unrepaired. It’s repaired now. We’re down to 5 ducks. We warned the neighbors with chickens… but I think the neighbors who usually keep chickens do not keep chickens over the winter (aka, they eat the chickens)
Llamas outside of Toronto, virus monkeys in Pennsylvania, now a wallaby-lookin’ kangaroo with access to the 84 (just like the crazed Pennsylvania monkey)… it’s like some mastermind is swelling the ranks of an animal army…
Well, it’s not clear -where- in Westchester this occurred, and whether this was on the Harlem or Hudson line, but I’ll take it.
A 21-year-old woman has been indicted for allegedly assaulting a Metro-North conductor with a pumpkin after being asked for a ticket, the Westchester County District Attorney announced.
Bronx resident Alexis Adams was riding the train shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 11, 2021, when she was confronted by a conductor asking her to produce a ticket, or else leave at the next stop.
It is alleged that Adams proceeded to hit the conductor in the face with a pumpkin and then punched her in the face and head multiple times.
…
On Wednesday, June 1, Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah announced that Adams has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
I do not recall hearing of this incident, but it’s been a busy couple of years.
