The Official Website of The Tri-State Bulldogs

Community

Landmarks and places of Interest

Recreation Facility Joseph T. St Lawrence Center – Declared the most outstanding recreation facility in the New York State by the NYS Recreation and Parks Society. The center sits on about 12 acres of land with mountains overlooking the park and is bordered by the Ramapo River to the West, Torne Brook to the North, Torne Valley Road to the East and Flat Rock County Park to the South. This site includes a multi-use athletic field, a 32,000 square foot community center, that includes multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, tennis, racquetball, squash as well as an indoor track and cardio vascular machines, a 3,000 foot comfort station, parking for 230 vehicles, pedestrian access walks, sports floodlighting, security lighting, grandstand and seating areas picnic areas, security fencing and landscaping. An inflatable bubble covers the practice field for winter use.

History of the Village of Hillburn

In August 1872, George Coffin, George Church and W.W. Snow, managers of the Ramapo Wheel and Foundry Company, set out to establish a village for the foundry workers. Land was purchased, streets were laid out, houses were erected. Workers were encouraged and assisted to purchase lots and build houses on them. This village was called Woodburn, because of the near proximity of woods and water. In 1882, when applying for a post office, it was found there was another Woodburn and the name was changed to Hillburn, which still maintains the characteristics of its name. It was here in Hillburn that W.W. Snow chose to build a residence for himself, where he remained until his death.

The Ramapo Iron Works was incorporated in 1881. They saved money by making their own castings instead of buying from shops in New York City and Jersey City. Twenty acres of land were purchased from Mr. Suffern. A soft iron foundry was built to manufacture the castings, along with 20 houses and a store, which furnished the people in the village with all the supplies they needed. This was the beginning of the Village of Hillburn. At the time, it was larger and had a greater population than Suffern. Hillburn was the first of the of the two to be incorporated as a village on July 24, 1893.

Historical Markers

Post at Ramapough/Sidman’s Bridge - Route 17
Site of Camp Ramapaugh and Intrenchments - Torne Valley Road
Site of Kellogg & Maurice Railroad Bridge - Route 59
Thurgood Marshall - 45 Mountain Avenue
William W. Snow House, Fourth Street & Terrace Avenue
TOWN OF RAMAPO HISTORY

During the American Revolutionary War, Commander-in-Chief ,GeorgeWashington, is said to have climbed the Ramapo Torne (near Ramapo hamlet) with a telescope to watch the movement of British ships off Sandy Hook.

The Town of Hempstead was formed from part of the Town of Haverstraw in 1791. In 1829 the name was changed to Ramapo.

The first railroad line across Rockland County was built in 1841 and ran from Piermont to Ramapo. By 1851, the line was extended to Lake Erie, and was considered an engineering marvel.

Ramapo Iron Works - Route 17, base of Terse Mountain, Ramapo - Producer of cut nails, wood screws, cotton cloth, and spring steel in first hair or 19th century. Founder, Jeremiah H. Pierson, was influential in building Nyack Turnpike and New York & Erie Railroad across the county. Cotton mill still standing on east side of road.

In 1916, what would become State Route 59, which reached from Nyack to Spring Valley in 1915, was extended to Suffern and Ramapo Hamlet.