(Editor’s Note: Here’s another fresh remembrance from former Highland Falls resident Kevin Childs … we at The News appreciate him taking the time to take us all back in time! MJP)
The 1950’s in New York’s Town of Highlands was a wonderland of opportunities for adventure; at least for the children of the area. From Bear Mountain and the lakes along the Parkway (also Doodletown) to the south, to all the lands that have since been claimed or attained by West Point via the federal government: our playground was vast. During my childhood, I focused on three activities, two of which were quite legal, and one bent the “law letter” just a bit.
As I never had one, I’m quite unsure whether a fishing “license” was required for a kid to fish in the area’s ponds or lakes or to catch fish or net crabs in the Hudson River. As any statute of limitations has probably passed, I won’t worry about the ramifications of my talking about these adventures.
Many waterways, ponds and lakes populate the areas in and around our village. Pell’s Pond, Crystal Lake, Roe Pond, the Cragston Lakes, Garrison Pond, Brooks Lake, Popolopen Creek, and Dassori Pond represent these well. The Hudson River locations I refer to would include the North and South docks areas at West Point, and Con Hook … or Conshook, as we called it in our youth. Conshook is a small peninsula island that juts into the river, at a mid-point between the village and Fort Montgomery. Our story concerns the antics of a few of the village kids while “adventuring” in a few of these locations.
Con Hook – Reaching the shores of Con Hook involved either walking through a marshy area between the West Shore Railroad tracks and the little “island”, or via the river in a boat. Since we had no boat, we opted to slosh through the marsh, with low tide being the best time. Visitors to this idyllic little peninsula were many, as picnics and simple walking in a natural setting was a nice thing for a family or couple to do. Before West Point became co-ed, many couples landed their boats on the East side of little Con Hook at a small sandy shore; those being West Point cadets, with their dates or girlfriends. Our intent was to improperly interrupt the couples, but success never came our way due to the noise we generated during each trek acted as an early warning system. Oh, well; our #### education would have to take a back seat for a few years.
Dassori Pond – This small pond was (and is) located up the hill and directly West of the Academy South Gate. The area is called Stoney Lonesome, and Dassori Pond was one of the nicest areas to do a little overnight camping, while attempting to catch a fish or two. My mom would wrap a raw potato in aluminum foil, and included a little packet of salt to give it some extra flavor. If we caught a fish, we’d fry it, and prepare the potato by creating a little oven with rocks next to the fire. Extra flavor was added by using scallions from the pond. It probably wasn’t very good, but to a kid at age eleven it was a gourmet meal!
South Dock – This dock (and a dock to the north as well) provided a treat to many families in the Highland Falls area, the Hudson River Crab. My uncle Rusty Boyan (known to many in Highland Falls) took advantage of every little extra that was available to “locals”. This was during a time prior to the original Tappan Zee Bridge being built, so a crabbing session would net more than the few that are now available. The session began with a visit to Andy Rauner’s Market at Main Street and Drew Avenue, the location of the present Shade’s Delicatessen. Andy would give us rancid meat and smelly fish parts: the perfect lure for hungry crabs. Catching the river crabs involved tying a long string around a piece of the smelly meat, and lowering it into the river from the docks area. When it hit the bottom, we’d raise it up a few feet and wait patiently. After a few minutes, we’d feel a tug at the line, and we’d start raising the line verrry slowwwly toward the surface. Just before breaking the surface, we’d scoop the “catch” from the water with a net, and that night’s dinner was placed in the nearby bucket.
That’s about it for these tales of Highland Falls adventure. As always, this is how I remember my early years. If you remember it differently, I look forward to reading your version.
Kevin Childs
