If You Really Loved Me, You'd Build Me a Castle

A tiny jewel in the setting of the Hudson Highlands is called Pollepel, now familiarly known as Bannerman Island. Once an uninhabited place, accessible only by boat, it was considered haunted by some Indian tribes and thus became a refuge for those trying to escape them. These superstitions and others promoted by later Dutch sailors make for many fanciful tales. Even the name Pollepel (Polopel) originated with a legend about a young girl named (Polly) Pell who was romantically rescued from the breaking river ice and landed on the island shore, where she was promptly married to her sweetheart, who rescued her and her companion. The island was thereafter called Pollepel.

Last weekend I was at a party and met a local guy from Cold Spring. I thought it was a nice place to call home, but he's young and he said he couldn't wait to leave after high school. He's back now, however, waiting for the winter season to start in Colorado. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of adventure sport enthusiasts here.

A few hours and beers later, I started asking questions about Bannerman Island. It's quite a magical view from the Northbound Metro-North train, really because it's just so unexpected. I've memorized the landmarks that lead up to its reveal from behind a small railroad bridge anchorage. Being on the train, it all happens very quickly. It's breathtaking: a crumbling ruin of a 19th century castle, silhouetted against the sunset on an island in the middle of the Hudson River. There is enough structure left to be able to imagine its original condition, in all of its gothic splendor.

It seems everyone holds affection for the castle. My new friend concocted a plan to storm Bannerman Island by kayak in the middle of the night. He suggested doing so by the light of the Aries full moon, tomorrow.

Here is the entire history:

http://www.bannermancastle.org/history.html