West Point Military Academy Historical Question

[Una_Persson]

Most of the questions I ask don’t seem to be answerable, but really, the Teeming Millions who are represented upon this board are still my best hope…

I’m trying to find any information on the possible purchase of land on the Hudson River by West Point military academy - the legend I’m chasing down is that somewhere between 1865 - 1900, West Point (or the Federal Government) bought out landowners living across the Hudson on the opposite bank due to fears that they were too close to the Academy and could be spying on them. I cannot vouch for the veracity of the purchase claims, motives, or even date, but it’s my best guess. I don’t suppose this stirs anyone’s recollection?

[mhendo]

I did some searches in scholarly and newspaper databases, and couldn’t find what you’re describing.

There is a West Point Timeline on the Academy’s website, and the only land acquisition i can find that’s in the ballpark is the 1909 acquisition of Constitution Island, in the river directly across from the main campus.

Constitution Island donated to the government (Military Academy) by Mrs. Russell Sage and Miss Anna B. Warner.

Link

I found a New York Times article about the proposed purchase or acquisition of the island, and while the article never mentions spying, it does hint at the general strategic and practical advantages of bringing the island under control of the Academy.

That it is of vital importance to the United states that Constitution Island be acquired there is no doubt in the minds of those familiar with the situation.

<snip>

The island comprises about 230 acres of high land and some 50 acres of low-lying meadow land, situated directly across the river from West Point and distant about 300 yards. It has excellent rail and water communications, is easily accessible from the Government reservation of west Point, and bears upon its surface the remains of some ten breastworks commenced in 1775 and later completed by Koscisusko.

<snip>

On account of the ease with which it may be reached by either land or water, and its impregnable position as regards attack, it might readily prove of great value.

<snip>

The probable damage to the Government should the island pass into other hands–The location on the island of objectionable manufacturing establishments, such as are found at other less suitable points along the river, would be very unfortunate for West Point. The turning of the island into a picnic ground or other resort, for which its proximity to New York City renders it well fitted, and which is known to have been seriously contemplated by parties who have sought to acquire it, would result in placing at the very doors of the Military Academy a serious menace to its welfare.

New York Times, July 26, 1908.

I’ve uploaded the whole article, in PDF form, to my webspace, if you want to download it.

Link

[Una_Persson]

Thank you very much for finding that information, mhendo - I’ll download it tonight when I get home. It’s a shame you were not able to find anything in your search. I do hope someone else knows about other possible acquisitions; that information could be something which could end a lot of stress on my part.

[samclem]

I haven’t examined mhendo’s article extensively, but offer some links about the same thing which might be interesting. Sorry if duplicated.

http://books.google.com/books?id=TvQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA596&dq=“west+point”+government+purchase+land+opposite+side+hudson&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1860&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=1909&num=50&as_brr=0&cd=3#v=onepage&q=“west%20point”%20government%20purchase%20land%20opposite%20side%20hudson&f=false a 1907 estimate of how much it would take to buy the land at a bargain price and why it’s a bargain.

A link to a Google book cite which would indicate that it was donated by Ms. Sage and Ms. Warner.http://books.google.com/books?id=2gNLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA55&dq="west+point"+government+purchase+land+opposite+side+hudson&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=1860&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=1909&num=50&as_brr=0&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

[samclem]

IMHO, it sound like the urban legend about land on the opposite shore being purchased spun off from this post-1900 incident.

[Una_Persson]

@samclem

IMHO, it sound like the urban legend about land on the opposite shore being purchased spun off from this post-1900 incident.

Actually Sam, your first link says this interesting note at the top:

For the purchase of all that tract of land lying east of the easterly bank of the Hudson River…

So the legend got one thing right - West Point bought the land - but the names of the people who owned the island do not seem to match my records. Thank you for finding that; I was hoping it would give me the answers I needed but it seems to have only moved me one step closer. Damn, I’d pay good money to find out what I really need to know.