Bannerman’s Castle on Pollepel Island, New York.
(photo by Shaun O’Boyle)Bannerman Castle is located on Pollepel Island, which is an island in the Hudson River, approximately 50 miles north of New York City. Bannerman’s Castle functioned as a military surplus warehouse. The castle was built by Francis Bannerman, who had a store of military equipment in Brooklyn. He bought the island in 1900 to have a safe location for his growing business of military surplus. Bannerman also built a smaller castle on the island, which he used as residence.
In 1918 Bannerman died. Construction was not yet completed and that time and ceased. Two years later 200 tons of shells and powder exploded in one of the buildings and destroyed a large part of the complex. The island was eventually left entirely vacant after the only ferry boat - named Pollepel - between the island and main land sunk in storm in 1950. In 1967 the New York State bought the entire island, removed all military equipment and held tours. Those tours stopped in 1969 when a big fire destroyed all roofs and inside walls and floors of the Arsenal.
Today the New York State is still the owner of the island. The castle is ruins with mostly the outside walls still standing. Bannerman castle is still remembered in referrals in modern literature and on the cover of the new album of indie-rock band Shearwater. There is also a trust that hopes to preserve the island as a historical and recreational location.
submission by Maki.
