Indian Point: From Park to Power

Souvenir pennant from Hudson River Day Line’s Indian Point Park. From the Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum.

​In 1923, the Hudson River Day Line created a recreational park at Indian Point, south of Peekskill on the east shore of the Hudson, for Day Line passengers. The original purchase of 320 acres, a former farm, extended more than a mile along the riverbank. Indian Point Park was a day trip destination for Day Line passengers set up to rival the popular park at Bear Mountain. 

Hudson River Day Line steamer De Witt Clinton approaching Indian Point Park in foreground, circa 1923. From the Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum.

​A 1923 Hudson River Day Line magazine article described the park as a “shady and always cool resting spot for those who wish to escape the city’s heat.”  The park featured a cafeteria, picnic tables, swings, two baseball diamonds “for boys and young men” and lots of shade trees. The amusement area had rides and games for all ages, a dance hall, a beer hall and miniature golf.

Hudson River Day Line steamer De Witt Clinton approaching Indian Point. Swimmers at Indian Point Beach in foreground, circa 1923. From the Donald C. Ringwald Collection, Hudson River Maritime Museum.

​Water activities included the riverfront beach, a swimming pool, rowing on a “tranquil mountain lake” and speedboat rides.
 
Indian Point Park provided a woodland respite for city dwellers. The Hudson River Day Line steamers left New York City docks in mid-morning, arrived at Indian Point Park at lunch time, giving passengers three hours to spend at the park before returning to the New York City docks in the late afternoon. The park property backed up to the Croton and Mt. Kisco reservoirs that provided water to New York City. Walks through the forested lands and along wildflower paths were outlined in Day Line brochures. In addition, a farm on the property provided produce for the meals served on the Hudson River Day Line steamers.
 
From 1923 to 1948 Indian Point Park was operated by the Hudson River Day Line. In 1948 the park was closed to be reopened under new ownership in 1950, at which point cars and buses brought visitors to the park.  By the mid-1950s the amusement park closed and the property was purchased by Consolidated Edison Gas and Electric Company for the nuclear power plant that opened in 1962.

Merritt-Chapman & Scott lifting 255 ton nuclear furnace for Con Edison, Indian Point plant, circa 1957. From the Hudson River Maritime Museum.