Lakeside Park

• Whaley Lake
  
  • Settlers moved into the South side of Whaley Lake
    
• Railroads made it possible for the town to develop a summer vacation area with the Mizzentop Hotel being up in action
  
  • 1880-The Mizzen-Top Hotel drew in New Yorkers from all over the state
    
  • Sponsored a corporation which gave the site better views to the West, South, and North
    
  • The hotel sat on a thirty acre park surrounded by trees and landscaped grounds
    
  • Advertisements called it “the nearest high class country and mountain resort to New York City”
    
  • The Mizzen-Top Hotel could be reached from New York City in about an hour and a half by train
    
  • The hotel was named by John Lorimer Worden after the top-most part of a ship’s mast
    
  • The Mizzen-Top Hotel was designed by architect John A. Wood
    
  • There was also Golf, Tennis, Bowling, Croquet, Billiards, Fishing, and Boating
    
  • 1934-The Great Depression made the building go into demolition
    
• 1884-The Dutcher House was built and was a great Hotel and Resort for those coming out of New York City
  
  • It also connected to Lakeside Park and was only a half-mile away from the hotel
    
  • Unlike the Mizzen Top Hotel, the Dutcher House was built directly across from the train station in the center of the Village of Pawling
    
  • Visitors arriving by train only had to walk a few steps to reach the Dutcher House
    
  • The Dutcher House was built by John B. Dutcher between 1882 and 1884
    
  • John B. Dutcher served as a Director of the New York and Harlem Railroad
    
  • The Dutcher House originally contained stores, a public reading room, a Town Hall, and a public hall or lecture room
    
  • The building contained fifty-six rooms for boarders along with parlors, dining rooms, and reception rooms
    
  • The building was heated by steam and lighted with gas
    
  • The Dutcher House was supplied with mountain water brought from over a mile away
    
  • 1907-1910-The Pawling School for Boys temporarily used the Dutcher House before moving to Trinity Pawling
    
  • 1976-The Dutcher House converted into apartments
    
  • The Dutcher House still stands today as one of Pawling’s most recognizable landmarks
    
• June 30, 1900-They held an initial tournament with a parade through the village of Pawling, and everyone gathered at Lakeside Park for a speech by the President of the village, Mr. J.B. Dutcher
  
• The historic Dutcher Golf Course was originally built in 1885 as a three-hole course
  
  • 1890-The golf course expanded into nine holes
    
  • John B. Dutcher became interested in golf after a trip to Scotland in 1872
    
  • The golf course was inspired by Tom Morris, a four-time Open Champion
    
  • The golf course was first created for guests staying at the Dutcher House
    
  • 1955-The Dutcher Golf Course property was donated to the Town of Pawling in memory of John B. Dutcher and John G. Dutcher
    
  • The donation required that the course remain public forever
    
  • During World War II injured Air Force personnel used the golf course for recreation and recovery
    
  • The injured servicemen were transported from Green Mountain Farm which is now Lakeside Park
    

• Lakeside Park later became a major recreation area for the town
  
  • The park eventually expanded into hundreds of acres around Green Mountain Lake
    

• The park includes fishing docks, hiking trails, picnic areas, sports fields, basketball courts, and recreational facilities
  
• Boating, kayaking, canoeing, biking, hiking, swimming, and winter activities became part of the park experience
  
• The Appalachian Trail passes near the Lakeside Park area
  

• January 1964-Bob Gamache was the recreation director and proposed that the town purchase the 72 acre Burr Farm for recreational use
  
  • It included a small beach area for swimming
    
  • 1964-The Pawling Lions Club submitted a $1,000 check to Mr. and Mrs. Burr to purchase the property
    
  • This land is now Murrow Park
    
  • May 23, 1965-Murrow Park was officially dedicated
    
  • June 1966-It opened for swimming and other recreational activities with a family membership fee of $5
    
  • 1967-The Pawling Lions Club began a fund drive to add a pavilion with a kitchen, snack bar, lavatories, office space, and a meeting room
    
  • Facilities at Murrow Park expanded
    
  • July 4, 1976-A parade with floats brought everyone to Murrow Park
    
• A time capsule was dedicated to people in 2076 with memorabilia of 1976
  
• There were later YMCA and retreat facilities around the Lakeside area according to local community discussions
  
• Some older Lakeside buildings eventually fell into disrepair and were demolished because of asbestos and decay concerns