My family history extends back to the 1890s in the Village of Haverstraw. My ancestors came to the Village to work in the clay pits at the many brickyard companies that lined the shores of the Hudson River here. While my father's side of the family (the Livseys, the Natales, and the Rodriguezes) have since moved to all different corners of the United States, their history and memories are all still rooted in the Village. I currently live on the Upper West Side in Manhattan, and my parents reside in Stony Point, N.Y. where they remain very active in the Village of Haverstraw through their non-profit North Rockland Rowing Club INC. I am excited to share with you Haverstraw's vast history and current revitalization efforts. If you have any questions, please, do not hesitate to contact me directly. Keep reading and enjoy! Best Regards, Jared Rodriguez
And through the ages of Impermanence Through nations: rise and fall Through long and short winters The taste of Constancy has riddled our tongues We have built our cities on a Constant Shore We’ve driven the moorings deep We’ve hung the heavy doors Of Civilization, of Art, of Sanctity Yes, we have built our city … More A Constant Shore
The “Learn-to-Row” Day held by the North Rockland Rowing Club, sponsored by U.S. Rowing, was held down at the Haverstraw Ferry Landing on Saturday, June 5th. At least 50 new rowers showed up this year, and they were all able to try the rowing machines and go out on the water in the crew shells. … More Rowing Club “Learn-to-Row” Day is a Hit!
Much has been said, filmed, recorded, and written about High Tor Mountain since it was first spotted by Henry Hudson’s crew (and before that, maybe Verazzano’s crew, and before that Native Americans. . .). High Tor Mountain is the crowning peak of the Palisades Escarpment, the network of volcanic rock cliffs and peaks that extends … More The Palisades’ Majestic Crown. . . High Tor
The North Rockland Rowing Club, Inc., a non-profit group (501c-3) that fosters rowing on the Hudson River, has made a commitment to Haverstraw. The Club operates out of the Elks’ Club/Admiral’s Cove Marina, also known as the “gap” by Haverstraw natives. A 60 foot, low profile dock and ramp has been installed at the western … More Rowing Club is Welcomed to the Village
I’m sure you did not know that Haverstraw was the site of the second Communist experiment in the United States. It all happened during a few short months in the summer of 1826. … More Haverstraw’s Hammer and Sickle ☭
Here’s an incredible film (in high speed) of a 1903 trip up the Hudson (the film is incorrectly named “Down the Hudson”) from Haverstraw to Newburgh. Notable sites along the way are Stony Point, the Stony Point Lighthouse and Battlefield, the Bear Mountain “fjord,” West Point, and the waterfront at Newburgh. The trip, probably aboard … More Vintage Film: “Down (Up) the Hudson” 1903
“Haver” is the Anglo-Dutch word for oats. The name originally appeared on maps dating from the seventeenth century as ‘Haverstroo.’ “Stroo” meaning “straw” or “grass.” Prior to the brick making industry that began in Haverstraw in the late 1700s, miles of “haver grass” or wild oats spread out into Haverstraw Bay, the widest length of … More What’s a ‘Haverstraw’?
As many of you are aware, the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Celebration has been moving full steam ahead for the past few months. The Hudson River is 400 years old! That’s cause for celebration. … More Hudson River 400
Floriana, or Ana Peguero has started a most interesting craft based on her heritage infused with environmental conservation. Ana paints reclaimed glass bottles for all kinds for different uses; this is more accurately called “upcycling” by the young greensters of today. Most of Ana’s work is inspired by patterns she remembers from her childhood and … More Ana’s Botellas: Paint the Town
Reyes “Ray” Dominguez, a long-time Haverstraw resident, has created his most recent venture, The Big Red Tomato at 9 Main Street, right across from Lucas Candies. The new bar and grill boasts a tasty fusion of Latin, American, and international flavors. Ray has come a long way since his immigrated from Mexico years ago. His story is an inspiration for us all, and the true entrepreneurial spirit of the Big Red Tomato is bright. … More A Big Red Tomato Grows in Haverstraw
I’m posting just to inform everyone that the existing New York Waterway ferry, with service from Haverstraw to the Ossining Metro-North train station is SAFE from budget cuts. Unfortunately, the recent NY Water Taxi ferry pilot program, with service from Haverstraw to Yonkers and Lower Manhattan will be no more. With the ailing economy, Albany … More Haverstraw/Ossining Ferry is SAFE from Chopping Block
The Union Restaurant is a new addition to Haverstraw’s blossoming restaurant scene. Paulo Feteira, the maitre d’hotel, and David Martinez, head chef of Union, have combined their talents to bring about the new restaurant venture. Paulo and David are together twenty-year veterans of Peter X. Kelly’s Xaviar’s Restaurant and Freelance Cafe of Piermont. The two men’s resumes have already ushered up valuable name recognition for Union Restaurant and have poised Haverstraw in becoming a regional restaurant destination. … More Union Restaurant Thrives
I have sad news to report. Amid the depressed regional and national economy, another bright spot in Haverstraw is no more. The New York Water Taxi service, that ferries commuters between Haverstraw, Yonkers, and Lower Manhattan, is facing the budgetary chopping block. Unless the State Legislature can find funds to support the ferry’s dwindling on-board … More Water Taxi to Suspend Service from Haverstraw
There are a lot of optimists and skeptics in the region, all debating whether Haverstraw will complete it’s ‘renaissance’ in a timely fashion. I thought it would be interesting to see how the people actually feel. We can only hope that the Village will change for the better. I would say that I’m an optimist … More Village Poll #1: Haverstraw’s Future
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