Highland Has Big Part In Opening Ceremonies At Bridge

Article originally published August 14, 1969 in Perspective section of "Southern Ulster Pioneer" newspaper. The language, spelling and grammar of  the article reflects the time period when it was written.

Eleanor Roosevelt, joined by the state superintendent of public works (left) and the bridge designers (right) cuts the ribbon at the August 25, 1930 opening of he Mid-Hudson Bridge. Image Courtesy New York State Bridge Authority. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=145280

Local People Help Make Event a Success as Splendid Spirit is Shown; Bridge Will Mean Much to Entire Section

The big day has come and gone, but the spirit shown in Highland for the bridge opening will long be remembered for Monday was the greatest in the history of the village.
With the weather dawning bright and clear, the cars bearing those to witness the ceremonies started to arrive early in the morning and by noon all roads leading into town were jammed, but that able body of fifty State police deserve a lot of credit for the way they kept things moving.

From the time Fire Chief John H. Parks sounded the fire alarm at three o'clock as a signal for the marshall of the parade to start, everything went off with the smoothness of clock work. The parade, the largest ever held here was a colorful one with eight fire companies, Arlington, Excelsior of Kingston, Enterprise Seamer of Walden, New Paltz, Port Ewen, Clintondale, Marlborough and Highland, with the drum corps and gay uniforms, also the Jr. O., U.S.M. of Kingston with the local lodge, the Sons of Italy, the Italian-American club, with their band, and some beautiful floats, all went to make up a most  inspiring line up.

1900 Model Auto in Parade to Bridge
One of the features of the parade was the appearance of an automobile of the vintage of 1900, entered by the New Paltz boys and driven by two men in costume in keeping with that time. The progress of this could be traced by the laughs along the line. After parading the main streets of the town, the march to the bridge was made where the arrival of Gov. and Mrs. Roosevelt and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred E. Smith was eagerly awaited. By the time the official party drew in sight, it was hard to find standing room on the plaza.

At about five o'clock the party reached the western end of the bridge where they were given a rousing reception by the estimated crowd of 5,000 that were gathered, hundreds of who were clinging to the rocks above the plaza.

Mrs. Roosevelt Cuts Ribbon
Mrs. Roosevelt was handed the scissors with which she walked to the ribbon amid a moment's hush, but with the fluttering to the roadway of the severed ribbon, a cheer went up that surely must have been heard in Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Roosevelt then returned to her car, and Judge A.T. Clearwater came forward to make Highland and Ulster county's address of welcome to the guests of honor. Following his address, Judge Clearwater introduced former Gov. Smith and Gov. Roosevelt – more cheers Both made short speeches, with the many advantages of the new span for a keynote.

When the official car had left the bridge on the Poughkeepsie side, the police lowered the ropes and came a grand rush of those who wished to walk the bridge, led by scores of eager youngsters, many running the entire length of the bridge.

Rose Car First to Cross From Here
The first Highland car to cross was that of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse D. Rose. This was followed by that of Congressman Harcourt J. Pratt containing Mr. Pratt, his secretary, George Yaeger, George E. Dean and Robert Dean. The third car carried the village board – Charles Carpenter, S.G. Carpenter, Walter Hasbrouck, John F. Wadlin and Lorin Callahan.

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