March, 1997 issue

Then, like your friends and neighbors, you could have the house you had built for your family moved to the site of the new village, literally while your children were attending school and the washing was drying on the porch--all in a relatively short time frame.

It may not have seemed a luxury at the time, but it is exactly what the village of Katonah did a century ago. Beginning on April 5, Katonah will celebrate the 100th anniversary of that extraordinary move.

In 1892 the residents of "old" Katonah were told that the land on which their village was built, a half mile north of the site of "new" Katonah, had been condemned by the City of New York to make way for the city's new reservoir system. The old village, although ten miles up river from the proposed second dam on the Croton River, would be submerged when the dam was completed. The residents could either take the money offered for their homes or be forced from the land.

After a period of turmoil and indignation, a Citizen's Committee was formed to investigate new sites for the village. The members formed the Katonah Land Company that purchased two existing farms a half mile to the south on higher ground. The Olmstead brothers were hired to lay out the new village and lots were sold to the villagers. As the dam builders began laying the first masonry in 1895, the exodus began.

By the end of the century, 65 buildings had been moved. First, workers raised the house from its foundation with jacks, and placed heavy timbers underneath which acted as a sled. More timbers were laid as rails, and a tow rope was wound around the house and secured to a main towing rope that was extended to a capstan. Horses were used to turn the capstan and draw the house over the rails which were lubricated with laundry soap.

Small houses could be moved in a matter of weeks, larger ones took longer. Families lived in their houses as they made their way to the new lots -- social events, even a wedding took place during the move. On April 5, 1897, the mail was delivered to the new town by a southbound train which had passed by the old station.

The Katonah Centennial Committee has arranged a series of events over the weekend to celebrate what is, undoubtedly, one of the most perfect villages in Westchester:
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Walking tours of "old Katonah." Special Metro-North trains will depart from "new" Katonah all day, on the hour. Tickets, $1.50 adults; $.75 children ages 5 - 12, must be purchased in advance at the Katonah Village Library, 28 Bedford Road, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fridays or Saturdays.
10 a.m.: Grand Parade through Katonah. Victorian Sales Days. Bedford Spring Antiques Show opens at Rippowam Cisqua School, $8.
10:30 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies, Katonah Avenue.
11 a.m.: "The Life and Times of Katonah," a photo exhibition and "Village on the Move," dioramas, will open at the Katonah Library.
11:15 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 3:15 p.m.: Walking tour of the Commercial District.
Noon: "The Spirit of Katonah: Art and Architecture 1897 - 1997" and "The Discerning Eye: Masterpieces from Katonah Collectors" will open at the Katonah Museum (Route 22 and Jay Street). Admission: $2. Both shows will be open until June 1.
Noon, 2 p.m.: Historic Museum Talk by Catherine Barrett Kelly at the Katonah Village Library.
12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m.: Entertainment in the Commercial District, courtesy John Jay High School.
1 p.m.: Burial of a time capsule.
1 - 4 p.m.: Caramoor Center for Music and Arts: Special tours of the House Museum (Girdle Ridge Road, just off Route 22). Admission: $6.
7 p.m. Victorian Ball at John Jay Homestead. (Sold out.)
There are further celebrations planned in April, May, June and July. See upcoming issues of Half Moon Press for details.