The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct is proud to announce the publication of the third edition of our award-winning Map & Guide to the Westchester section of the Old Croton Aqueduct.
With the completion of the Croton Reservoir and Aqueduct in 1842 the City of New York held what had been called the largest celebration in its history. Part of that celebration included the presentation of silver medals, engraved and struck by New York City medalist Robert Lovett Sr., to individuals involved in the project and the celebration. Exactly how many were awarded is not known but they were awarded to the 17 Alderman as well as other dignitaries. And how many still exist is unknown as they appear very rarely in the numismatic marketplace.
On Sunday, October 8, the Friends hosted a party on the lawns of the Keeper's House to commemorate the October day 175 years ago when Croton water first arrived in New York City. The rain stopped on cue, and we were able to celebrate the flow of water without any flowing over us.
State crews under the direction of trail manager Steve Oakes did a wonderful job this summer re-creating the Aqueduct trail in the short but important section between Lamartine Ave. and Bishop William J. Walls Place in Yonkers. It looks like it's always been there. It takes literally 3 minutes to walk the segment.
I recently went to see it; it's 15 minutes or less driving time straight south on Warburton Ave. from Hastings; then turn left onto Lamartine and park on that block. The segment is best seen now or soon, while the trees are still fully leafed out.
