Crossroads of Rockland History: Lawrence-Tonetti Waterfall

04/21/2025

On the April 2025 episode of Crossroads of Rockland History, the topic of conversation was the Lawrence–Tonetti Waterfall in Palisades. Also known as Peanut Leap Cascade, this natural waterfall was beautifully enhanced by the sculptors Mary Lawrence and Francois Tonetti in the early 20th century by creating stream-fed pools, sculptural fountainheads, and a Roman-style pergola on the shore of the Hudson River.


John Ratcliff, the grandson of the sculptors, joined host Clare Sheridan to share memories of this extraordinary place, which was once part of the larger Lawrence property in Snedens Landing and is now contained within the Palisades Interstate Park, where thousands of hikers pass by its ruins as they descend the Shore Trail to the Hudson River.

We are pleased to share the details of an upcoming program at the Palisades Free Library:


The Lawrence-Tonetti Waterfall: A History of the Peanut Leap Cascade
from Snedens Landing to Palisades Interstate Park


When: Thursday, May 8, 2025, 6:30 pm

Where: Palisades Free Library, 19 Closter Road, Palisades, NY 10964, (845) 359-0136
About the program: Join Francesca Costa (Palisades Interstate Park Public Historian), Jennifer Rothschild (Historical Society of Rockland County Programming Director), and John Ratcliff, grandson of the sculptors Mary Lawrence and Francois Tonetti as they tell the story of "The Waterfall" and how it has become a popular hiking trail within the park. This slide presentation and panel discussion explores the fascinating history of The Waterfall, a natural feature enhanced by Lawrence and Tonetti in the early 20th century with stream-fed pools, a roman-style pergola, and sculptural fountainheads. Once part of the larger Lawrence property in Snedens Landing, it became a favorite spot for moonlit gatherings of guests who arrived by boat, including fellow sculptors and painters, as well as the renowned architects Charles McKim and Stanford White, who helped design the pergola. This magical spot is now contained within the Palisades Interstate Park, where thousands of hikers pass by its ruins as they descend the Shore Trail to the Hudson River.

Crossroads of Rockland History, a program of the Historical Society of Rockland County, airs on the third Monday of each month at 9:30 am, right after the morning show on WRCR radio 1700 AM and www.WRCR.com. Join host Clare Sheridan as we explore, celebrate, and learn about our local history, with different topics and guest speakers every month. Our recorded broadcasts are also available for streaming on all major podcasts platforms.
 
The Historical Society of Rockland County is a nonprofit educational institution and principal repository for original documents and artifacts relating to Rockland County. Its headquarters are a four-acre site featuring a history museum and the 1832 Jacob Blauvelt House in New City, New York.