Week of October 10

October 8, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

CULTIVATION

        Among all those who have come among us of late years, we know of no one who has done so much to cultivate a taste for the beautiful in art as our friend Isaac Van Wagner, the photographic artist. Previous to his arrival, our citizens, if they desired to possess a decent photograph were forced to go to New York and pay almost three times as much for the same article as is now charged by our friend, and in the majority of instances satisfaction was not given. As it is now, with the finest instruments known to the profession, a light that can he toned down so as to suit any complexion, and a pains-taking artist who thoroughly understands his business and who is doing work for the most cultivated tastes within a circle of twenty miles of Nyack, is it any wonder that he has succeeded in building up a patronage that any man might feel proud of and which is yielding him handsome returns.

        Our friend has given much attention of late to photo-crayon pictures, life size, and the consequence is that orders for these most admirable pictures have been coming in very fast, not only from our own residents but from city people who have found nothing superior to them at home. Two of the finest executed we have ever seen were portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Heye who spent the summer in our village. The portraits of Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. Guerin, William Hutton, and a child of Mr. C. C. Powell, are admirably life-like and tell all that need be known about the quality of the work.

        We learn also that Mr. V. has a standing contract to furnish Messrs, E. and H. T. Anthony with all the stereoscopic views of Nyack and along the line of the Northern Railroad of N.J. that he can find time to finish.

October 10, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Times

HOSPITAL RECEIVES BLAUVELT ESTATE

        The Nyack Hospital, as a result of the death of Mr. Arthur M. Blauvelt in Nyack Sunday, will receive the residue of the estate as provided by Mr. Blauvelt’s father, John D. Blauvelt, the Nyack druggist, who in his will provided that at the death of his son, Arthur, the Hospital would inherit the estate which amounts to something like $40,000. Of this, the Hospital gets about $35,000 and Charles Van Wagner, former employee but recently employed by Daniel Shea, inherits $2,000.

FORMER HAVERSTRAW YOUTH KILLED

         John Marikle of Mystic, Conn., was instantly killed and Peter Tyran and Ray Gallup, companions, were seriously injured last Thursday afternoon at the railroad crossing in Noank, Conn., when the five ton truck operated by Marikle was crashed into by the Boston Express on the N. Y. and N. H. & H. Railroad.

        Marikle, who was nineteen years of age, has many relatives living in and about Haverstraw. The young men who were with Marikle assert that after unloading the truck at the railroad station, the flagman waved the track clear and as the truck went across it was hit by the thundering express and reduced to atoms. Marikle’s helpers miraculously escaped.

October 9, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO

The Journal News

CARETAKER EVICTED

[Image: Undated photograph of Garner Mansion. Courtesy of Mike Hard. The mansion was razed in June 1976.]
        The lone inhabitant of the 147-year-old Garner Mansion in Garnerville was evicted this week, leaving the decaying Greek Revival structure empty and with an uncertain future.

        Marguerite Buckner, 61, came home Monday to find the majority of her furniture and personal belongings piled on the weed-infested hill outside the landmark mansion.

        According to Arthur Winoker, a spokesman for Kanaje Corp. of Spring Valley, owner of the building, a summary proceeding begun in July led to the eviction. County health officials had complained about conditions in the building, he said, and the West Haverstraw building inspector had concluded that the woman’s continued occupancy would be a health hazard.

        But he added that the court order calling for Ms. Buckner’s eviction was not legally connected with the violations. “We have the right to evict her, and we exercised that right,” he said.

        The 27-room home was built by Henry Garner, the founder of Garnerville, whose granddaughter and last descendant, Marguerite Hornbaker, died last year. Facing severe financial difficulties long before her death, she had been forced to sell pieces of the sprawling estate and furnishings from the ornate mansion. The last eight acres were sold to Kanaje Corp. in 1965.

        The West Haverstraw Planning Board granted Kanaje permission to develop a 36-lot subdivision, and 33 homes were completed in 1971. The remaining three lots are occupied by the mansion, which Kanaje had planned to demolish following Mrs. Hornbaker’s death. But local historical societies stepped in last year and prevented the demolition.

        Shortly afterward Kanaje granted Ms. Buckner permission to stay in the house and serve as a watchdog against possible vandalism. She has lived in the mansion on and off for 12 years, serving as Mrs. Hornbaker’s nurse until her death.

        On Sept. 10 the Sheriff’s Office notified Ms. Buckner that she had 72 hours to vacate the premises, Winoker said. “She had ample notice,” he maintained.

        While sorting out her belongings on the lawn and street outside the mansion, Ms. Buckner confirmed that she had expected the move. She said neighbors had petitioned to have her evicted.

        “The people around here say I’m a fire hazard,” she said. “Every place I get evicted from catches on fire after I leave.”

        Two years ago the mansion was accepted for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Inclusion on the list means it may not be altered or destroyed without prior review by a presidential council. The federal landmark designation also carries with it the offer of a government grant for half the purchase and renovation costs, providing the other half is raised locally.

        Shelley Bakesef, organizer of a community restoration committee which hopes to have the house renovated and turned into a multi-purpose community center, said Kanaje’s $70,000 asking price seems a bit out of proportion.

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2025 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.