It all began as two small villages: Fishkill Landing, a bristling port, and Matteawan, a center for manufacturing. On May 15, 1913, the city of Beacon was born when the two communities merged. A committee was formed and charter of Grand Junction, Colorado, was adopted to fit the new city. Beacon became the first commission form of government in New York State (and later to change again in 1992). The committee recommended the new city be called "Melzingah" after the local Indian tribe. Voters approved, but the New York City newspapers ridiculed that choice, another referendum was called, and Beacon won by a small majority.
This new city was christened BEACON in honor of the famous fires which had burned atop the Fishkill Mountain. The fires warned General George Washington, stationed across the Hudson at Newburgh, of British ships and troop movements during the American Revolution.
The present-day City of Beacon was part of the original 85,000 acre patent given to Francis Rombout and Gulian Verplanck in 1683. Rombout's daughter, Catheryna Rombout Brett, received his part of the patent as her wedding portion. It was she who carved the first farms, trade, and settlement out of the land. The Madam Brett Homestead, Dutchess County's oldest building believed to have been constructed about 1709, is presently owned by the Melzingah Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is an historic site open to the public on a regular basis.
Beacon's location is one of its major assets: uniquely situated between the mighty Hudson River on the west and the majestic Mt. Beacon on the east, its proximity to highways and airports, and only ninety minutes out of New York City by train. Another asset is its "hometown" appeal with a sense of neighborhood and community. Beacon appreciates its diversity and takes pride in having citizens and a city government, with a combined faith, working hard to make a difference in the city's quality of life.
Now the Renaissance of Beacon is steadily growing. There is an emphasis on fine art galleries, preservation of the architectural quality in the restoration of old buildings, beautiful boutiques and exciting antique shops, restaurants, the promise of waterfront development, and of course the Dia Museum. Dormant industrial buildings play a major role in the Renaissance as well, as plans to renovate and provide them with a new identity move forward.
It has been written that our cities define us. If so, then what does Beacon say about "us"? - We have pride in and an appreciation for the beautiful, our work ethic and character promote progress, and primarily, the combined vision and focus of city government, the economic private sector, and dedicated residents are assigning Beacon a new vital image the center for culture and a haven for the arts.
Way to go, Beacon!
It has been called the "Eighth Wonder of the World", a "Feat of Engineering Genius", and the resort that put the city of Beacon on the map. It was the Mt. Beacon Incline Railway, and it ran for nearly seventy-five years carrying millions of riders up to the top of Mount Beacon. The railway was built by the Otis Elevator Company of Yonkers, and when completed in the spring of 1902, the Incline extended 2,200 feet from the base to the top, rising in places sixty-eight feet within a short distance of one hundred feet making those stretches the steepest incline in existence. This was made possible by the Otis Elevator's ingeniously devised single-track, balanced car system.
On Memorial Day of 1902, the Mt. Beacon Incline opened. The enterprise was a resounding success: over a thousand people rode the Incline that day; 60,000 fares would be sold that first season. In 1926, 110,000 people would ride the railway. Upon reaching the summit, visitors would spend the day at the Casino, a restaurant and dance hall where one could look through telescopes mounted on the veranda and take in the75-mile view. Or they could stroll a mountain path to the D.A.R.'s Mount Beacon Monument built to commemorate the signal fires which burned there to warn of the approaching British during the Revolutionary War.
The exciting news is that late last summer the Vice President of Europe's largest funicular manufacturing company visited our mountain and presented us with a cost estimate only half the amount previously expected for a historic replica incline with a base and upper station! Also, the long-awaited environmental impact review is complete, and the Beacon City Council has given permission for Scenic Hudson to begin construction of the Gateway Park at the base of the Incline property.
It has been almost twenty years since the trolley climbed Mount Beacon. A generation has grown up without experiencing the thrill of will once again become part of Beacon's glorious future!
MT. BEACON INCLINE RAILWAY RESTORATION SOCIETY P. 0. Box 1248 o Beacon, New York 12508 Andy Chiusano (831-3562) * Steve Gold (831-4261) The Mt. Beacon Incline Railway Restoration Society is a not-for-profit corpora.tion, chartered by the Board of Regents under the New York State Department of Education and a 501(c) 3, Federally approved tax-exempt organization.