The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07
The PALISADES COUNTRY
A WILDERNESS RESERVATION
BEYOND THE CITY.
The Region, Now Largely Inaccessible
VIII BE Opened for Development by
Hish speed Trolley and by a Public
Road Along the BASE Or the Cliffs.

High speed Trolley and by q Public
Road Along the BASE Or the cliffs.
Along the crest of the Palisades from a
point nearly opposite l25th street north TO
Permont beyond the State line extends a
region Of almost primitive wilderness.
With the exception Of three or four cross
roads places in the neighborhood Of Fort
Lee where small villages have grown up
the plateau is mainly woodland. A few
country homes and big estates are en-
countered along the edge of the cliffs where
small clearings have been made. but for
the greater part OF the distance the traveller
sees nothing but thick WOO on either land.
The timber is OF mixed growth. forming
pleasing contrasts. Oak, chestnut and
beech predominant. with occasional clumps
Of dark pine and hemlock. In places the
woods thin out. forming grassy fields which
border the more abrupt portions.
A winding road follows the crest Of the
Palisades close to the edge from Fort Lee
north to Sparkill. Frequent lanes and by
ways branch OF to the towns which lie to
the westward and to the country estates
overlooking the river. Trails lead up from
the riverfront to the highway at the top
from Fort Lee ferry. Englewood landing.
Alpine and Sneden landing Except at
these four points the only means Of reaching
the top of the Palisades from the riverfront
Is by scrambling up the precipitous face Of
The cliffs.
The southern part OF the region has trolley
service Electric roads connecting with the
ferries at Hoboken. Weehawken and Fort
Lee run northward as far as Coytesville-
formerly known as Linwood-about a mile
and a half above the New Jersey termina
q the l3Oth street ferry. With the ex-
ception OF the village Of Alpine which
has connecti on with Yonkers by q small
ferry. the remainder Of the Palisades dis
trict proper keeps in touch with the out
tide world only by means of the Northern
Railroad Of New jersey To this remote
ness is due the undeveloped state Of the
interior. so at variance with the modern
and finished appearance Of Englewood and
the towns to the westward.
The contrast is very striking. To the
south and east, separated only by a narrow
strip Of water, rise the tall brick buildings
Of Manhattan, the big MANUFACTURES Of
Yonkers and the clustering suburbs which
line the east bank Of the Hudson. To the
west lies the Hacksnsack valley, with its
busting towns and converging railways.
Between them lies a high rocky plateau,
almost uninhabited and presenting prac-
tically the same appearance it did a GEN.
tury ago.
The southern border OF the highland
region, which enjoys good transit. has
changed greatly in the last few years.
Development companies w bought up
extensive tracts Of the former woodland,
streets have been cut through, sidewalks
laid and in many instances water supply
and sewerage systems installed A vast
amount Of building has been going on and
several colonies of importance have sprung
up. Brentwood, Morsemere, Palisades
Park. Hudson River Heights and q number
of other developments have appeared on
the map within the last few years
Besides the present service on the troileys
Connecting with Englewood and Hacken-
sack 10 the westward, the West Shore Rail-
road ferry at Weehawken and the 1Soth
street line 70 the eastward, these settle
ments have promise Of rapid transit. on q
new high speed electric road, which has
been granted permission to construct q
route from the McAdoo tunnels in Jersey
City northward to Tompkins Cove. IT
construction Of thisl line will solve the trans
portstion problem for the entire region
and will ope up for o9lonzatlon some
u the finest sites for suburban homes with
In reach Of New York.
The attractiveness OF the region has in
duced a few wealthy people 10 puild nne
homes overlooking the river n the wi
along the east bank. An automobile or a
Light rig brings the railroad within reach OF
the edge Of the cliffs and the length OF time
required to reach New York IL not very
great. In some places where access may
be obtained to the waterfront a swift
bunch or motor boat is maintained Tor
daily trips across the river to connect with
the trains Of the Hudson River division.
For people OF moderate means, however,
most Of the Palisades region Is now too in
accessible to permit OF permanent resi-
dence.
The preservation OF the natural beauty
Of the Palisades, which was seriously threat
ened by the Wholesale blasting by trap rock
companies, is assured through the work OF
the Palisades Interstate Park Commission,
organized in 1900. Ten commissioners,
i've from New Jersey and five from New
York, were appointed by the Legislatures
Of the respective States. The commission
was empowered to obtain, through direct
purchase or through condemnation pro-
ceedings, the land lying between the river
'front.' and the top Of the cliff inciud9ng the
lace ~ the Palisades, from q point near Fort
Lee north to Piermont. Later on It's iuris-
aic'Ion was extended further north In Rock
Lni county TO include Hook Mountain,
tR@ main object being to prevent further
blastlng on that peak.
ID 10 the nresant time about n~ine-tAntha