July, 2001 issue

Gov. George Pataki and other officials broke ground on the project during a ceremony in June. The facility located in Westchester County will be revitalized and developed into a visitor information and interpretive center honoring the history of the Bear Mountain Bridge Road.

In 1999, the Governor announced a $500,000 grant to the Town of Cortlandt for the restoration. Since then the town has developed plans to rehabilitate the Toll House, incorporating the latest environmental standards of design and operation, to serve as a welcome center, offer interpretive displays, and encourage access to the Camp Smith Trail.

The Toll House and Bear Mountain Bridge Road were constructed between 1923 and 1924 to connect the newly constructed Bear Mountain Bridge with Route 9.

It was built by the Harriman family after passage of a New York State legislative act in 1922 creating the Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company. Bear Mountain Road was also constructed as a vehicular connection to the bridge by a private company. The road and bridge were privately owned and tolls for such were collected at the Bear Mountain Road Toll House and at the bridge itself.

The current Toll House structure is a one-story Tudor-style building missing some slate on the roof and there are holes in the stucco walls. The interior of the building has been gutted over the years, although some original interior woodwork exists. The floor is a mixture of dirt and asphalt. Some portions of the roof in the rear are severely deteriorating and most of the original windows are missing.

Linda Puglisi, Cortlandt Town Supervisor said, "The Toll House is a very exciting project for the Town of Cortlandt, the Hudson Valley area and New York State. It is an historic structure dating back to the construction of the Bear Mountain Bridge in 1924."

When the announcement of the initial grant was released in 1999, Supervisor Puglisi promised, "We will serve toll-house cookies."

"Today we break ground to restore a wonderful building that for years welcomed travelers to the first bridge spanning the Hudson River between Albany and New York City," the Governor said. "(It) will welcome families and visitors to explore the beauty of the Hudson Highlands while helping to promote tourism and create jobs in the Hudson Valley."

Plans for the restoration include the use of composting to reduce impact on the site and minimize the need for costly infrastructure. The building is also being prepared for possible future fuel cell use.

Assemblywoman Sandra Galef observed, "The Toll House renovation is a key component in our state's efforts to promote the fascinating history of the Hudson Valley, foster regional tourism and provide first-rate recreational enjoyment of the glorious Hudson River."