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Timeline
Original name
-Originally named "Keakatis", Colonial + Revolutionary times: Called "Crom Pond"
1781-1782
French General Rochambeau - Army escaped near lake - Increased Output Near Lake
1800's
Several Farms + Dairy Farms- however, these Farms weren't wooded.
1900
Land Acquired by New York State to use as a NYS Training School for Boys (South of Mohansic Lake)
1909
Several Farms Purchased by NYS, |including Henry Strang's Mohansic State Hospital (600 Acres/ Plans 6000 "inmates"). (North of Mohansic Lake)
1911
NY Central's Putnum Division constructs Mohansic Branch (Yorktown Branch -> Mohansic Lake)
1911
Construction of railroad near Mohansic Lake through south side of Crompond Road begins
1913
July 4th Murder Takes Place at Mohansic State Hospital, young attendant blugeoned to death while asleep
1913
- NYC expresses concern over possible pollution of their water supply in the hospital/school adjacent to the lake
1917
October 10th. First public meeting of the Joint Legislative Commitee
1918
Plans for abandoned hospital and school
1922
Mohansic Lake Reservation sold to West County for $1.00. (It becomes the first park in the WC Park System, now named "Mohansic Park")
1923
New Nursery Started, containing 200,000 evergreens (pines,spruces) to be transferred to West parks and parkway
1923
First Westchester Play Day held in the park on September 15th
1925
Railroad abandoned. Golf course opens
1927
Bronx River Parkway Extended (1927-1932) (20.7 Miles)
1935
Civilian Conservation Corps, "CCC". (50,000 Members, 2,600 Camps)
1936
Surplus trees distributed to community
1942
Enter World War II; Camps end abruptly. Army takes over park. It was first used as an Army base, then as a rest/rehabilitation area for U.S./British servicemen fighting in the war.
1945
After World War II: Park used as a storage base for large quantities of valuable war surplus for War Department.
1946
Mohansic Barracks given to Peekskill. Vets to relieve Housing Shortage (Used as a Summer Camp).
1950s
Rec. Hall used as a community center. Used for Square Dancing-Was Burned
1957
Governor Harriman Signs a bill returning parklands east of Taconic State Parkway to New York State -Becomes Mohansic State Park
1958
Downing Park- Bill grants 25 acres to the Town of Yorktown
1982
State Renames the park upon the centennial of FDR's birth
2011
Friends of FDR State Park was founded