Island of Pollepel - Exploring Bannerman Castle

Fascinating place, Pollepel Island in the Hudson River is rich in history and home to Bannerman Castle, an abandoned military surplus warehouse.

Francis Bannerman VI born in Scotland began a military store near Brooklyn Navy Yard purchasing surplus equipment at the close of the American Civil War. In 1897, Bannerman outfitted volunteers for the Spanish-American War and purchased weapons from the Spanish government as they evacuated Cuba—including 90% of all guns, ammunition, and equipment captured during the war and auctioned by the United States government. At the turn of the century, the U.S. Navy re-gunned several older ships—Bannerman purchased the old guns and creatively resold them to the U.S. Army who used them as field cannons on carriages. He also contributed canons and uniforms to the U.S. government during WWI, and his military catalogs and equipment were shipped around the world.

In 1900, Bannerman discovered the island while canoeing on the Hudson, and purchased it because his Brooklyn storeroom of gunpowder and ammunition was becoming too small and dangerous for the city. He designed and sketched the four armories, and summer cottage to resemble a Scottish castle. And Mrs. Bannerman transformed the island with gardens, terraces, and nature trails. A few families lived on the island to manage the operations—and three children were born on the island including 90-year-old Eleanor Owen Seeland who still lives and provides tours today.

Francis Bannerman passed away in 1918 and described himself as a man of peace with hopes his collection of arms would someday be a "Museum of Lost Arts". In 1920, 200 pounds of shells and powder exploded in the castle, destroying a portion of the armory—and business declined as a result of state and federal legislation. The island became vacant in 1950 and neglect, vandalism, arson, and decay caused additional portions of the castle to collapse.

The island is owned by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and managed by The Bannerman Castle Trust. The Trust is dedicated to the restoration of the castle and grounds—and sponsors educational, cultural, and recreational programs on the island. There is a ferry service to the island from Beacon, NY—or a short kayaking trip from Cold Springs.

Sources: Wikipedia, Bannerman Castle Trust, Inc.