Glimpses of the Past

Court of Honor, Main Street The village of Cold Spring is romantically situated on the east bank of the noble and stately Hudson in the western part of Putnam County. The river here winds in its graceful curvature and is surrounded by its often clouded capped mountains, from the top of which the summer lightning dance and place. Cold Spring has been highly favored in its position by having been picturesquely placed amid natural beauties, being supplied by the hand of the Divine Architect embalmed in the verse of Drake, Willis, and others in the prose and song of many renowned authors. Besides the grandeur and sublimity of scenery the village occupies soil sacred to the recollection of illustrious men and events and is charged with the historical memories of patriotics and patriotic events. Part of the army of Washington found its abiding place here in the critical and momentous days of the first American war for freedom.

From "The Origin and Development of Cold Spring-on-Hudson: A Centennial History," 1946 Bunting and Beauties atop a Community Day Float
'THE CELEBRATION A GREAT SUCCESS'
Immense Throng of Visitors in Town
Fine Pyrotechnic Displays Witnessed by Thousands
from the Cold Spring Recorder, 1909, recollections of Community Day

It would seem as though the ancient spirits that guard the reaches of our great river were favorable to a glorious celebration of the work of the two men whose faith and genius gave this splendid stream to the world and its commerce…

Never a day when sun and sky and the rich coloring of the mountains lent their aid more fully to the artistic and patriotic spirit of a whole community…

And was it worth all the effort and energy and cost? To that question there was fitting answer from the great public that rendered judgment last Saturday. The Verdict was unanimous that the work was worthy of the devoted workmen.

Long before the time of starting the crowds were on hand; from early morning hundreds of sightseers had been on the scene holding good view places.

A mighty cheer heralded the approach of the parade and it was taken up and passed along the line by as enthusiastic a company as ever gathered along our streets.

From all the surrounding country everybody that could get away from business was on hand taking part in the festivities and cheering the splendid parade that threaded its way through the multitudes that thronged the line of march from start to finish.

It was a spectacle unparalleled in the history of Cold Spring and as many competent judges have said, unequalled in many of the cities along the river. It was gorgeous, pageant, brightened by flags bunting, colored sashes swinging, lanterns, and vari-colored decorations that streamed from every building. In the bright sunlight the color snapped briskly to the welcome breeze. Nor was there lack of gold lace, bright buttons, military equipment, flowers, gay costumes, beautiful maidens, stalwart youths and martial music to rouse enthusiasm and win applause and make the scene never to be forgotten by one who has pride in Putnam county, nor indeed by the casual visitor.