The history of a town is always an interesting subject, take a look at some of these old pictures and enjoy. And...if anyone has anything to add feel free to drop us an email at this link: info@townofrosendale.com

This picture was taken circa mid 1940's.

The title of this picture said:

Lefevre Falls near Rosendale and went along with an article in the Autumn 2002 newsletter from the Society titled "The Very Last Days of the D&H Canal"

THANKS TO ANN GILCHRIST, OUR TOWN HISTORIAN, THE ABOVE CANAL LOCK HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, (JUST AS I THOUGHT BEING I RIDE DOWN THAT ROAD DAILY), FORMER LOCK #6 ON CREEK LOCKS RD. JUST BEFORE THE BEND IN THE ROAD AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, AS YOU ARE HEADING TO THE THRUWAY OVERPASS. IF YOU CARE TO SEE THE REMNANTS MAKE SURE YOU STOP...DON'T LOOK WHILE DRIVING!!!, YOU WILL SEE PART OF THE ORIGINAL TOW PATH STILL DOWN THERE AND THE ROAD THAT WE RIDE ON, IS ABOVE THE TOW PATH IN THE OLD PHOTO AND OUT OF THE PICTURE IN THAT PARTICULAR PHOTO ARCHIVE.

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Way back in the 50's, I was told, there were floods that plagued the Town of Rosendale, from Main Street, all the way to down Creek Locks Road and Route 32. Once the Army Corp. of Engineers blasted the falls at the turn on Creek Locks, this alleviated the problem. Residents told me that their houses on Main St. had mud flowing through the whole first floor and had to escape to the second floor to avoid the waters and mud. Another resident told me that the kids took row boats down Main St. for fun...

Here are some pictures from that period of time:

Here is Main Street with some unidentified residents wading through the waters with their boots on. Amazing isn't it?

Note that this building is the building on the left of our Town Hall. See the three bay garage in the background? You can also see the tip of the fire escape on the back of Town Hall. Swimming anyone?

Here is the destruction that water can do. This is so sad for these identified properties and their owners.

Here is Route 32 facing South towards the Blue Bridge. This is only part of the distance that the waters flooded from the creek. Wish we had some extra water now, with this drought we are having, but not in THIS way for sure!

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On a happier note, here is a parade down Main Street in Rosendale. Not sure what the celebration was about, but it may have been the celebration of DRY STREETS. Note the buildings and see what they looked like and check out which ones are still here and what they are now.

This is the Great Flood of 1878 #1 Lock on the D&H Canal in Eddyville, New York

Here is a great shot of Main Street, Rosendale showing the old Baxter's Store

Here is a old photo of the D&H Canal between Kingston and Rosendale Circa 1890

See if you can figure out what buildings are still here and what they are now...this pic was taken around the early 1900's

Did you know that Rosendale had a Casino? Back in those days Casino had a different meaning than what we know it to be. It simply meant a gathering place where they held socials, showed movies and the like. It is where the Movie theatre now operates. Notice the Bell Tower on the right. It would be great to be able to identify the folks on the street!

The Cornell Homestead was located in the area behind Fann's. The house used to be know as the Jacob Rutsen House. The first president of Queen's, later Rutgers College was born in this house.  (information courtesy of Deidrick Werner)

Here is a picture of the cement being delivered from Rosendale to Kingston via the D & H Canal. We all know that bridge, don't we? Circa 1885

I know this is not a picture of Rosendale, but I just couldn't resist to put in this 1905 Ladies group visiting Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz

MORE FOR LOCAL HISTORY BUFFS...Thanks to Anita Williams of the Famous Williams Lake Hotel, the link below will get you to a wonderful site that contains Walter Williams' "Stories of Rosendale".  Thanks for sharing this with us Anita. Also look for the latest on the new Cafe at the Williams Lake Hotel soon to be posted in our Eateries, Shops and Services page.

Just click here and enjoy....http://www.willylake.com/html/stories.htm

AND ANOTHER GREAT SITE FOR ALL YOU LOCAL HISTORY FANS...is  the Century House Site...we all know Dietrich's expertise in history, so find out that Rosendale is more than just about CEMENT!

Just click here and enjoy...http://www.centuryhouse.org