Dutchess County Historical Society Yearbook Vol 064 1979

were educational exercises for children during the day at the Collingwood Opera House (now the Bardavon Theater), and an illustrated lecture. I only wish I could report these events in depth. That evening there was another exercise in history for adults, plus orchestral and vocal music. There was also a grand opening illumination of the city (probably including the "Court of Honor" which will be mentioned later) and of Eastman Park. This was described as "the most elaborate and beautiful spectacle" ever seen in the city.

October I saw the community go into high gear for the celebration. In the morning there were opportunities to take passenger trains over the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge.

Trolley cars were available for exciting trips around the city. In addition, the old Toonerville Trolley went all the way from the West Shore Ferry Landing to the West Shore Railroad tracks. After a short walk across the tracks, a main line trolley car transported the adventurous up the hill to Highland; thence for miles and miles to New Paltz - a true landmark of history, itself.

In the afternoon, one could attend Poughkeepsie Day at the great Dutchess County Fair. Its location was the Hudson River Driving Park at Hooker and Grand Avenues. There were to be trotting races, steeplechases, running races, Wild West exhibits, bands, and a military drill staged by a whole battalion of infantry. You can be sure the trolley cars on the South Side line took multitudes of passengers to the fairgrounds - Bill Smith and I can remember them going by our homes on Hooker Avenue, packed full and hanging on during Fair Week each summer.

In the evening, all the lodges, fraternal organizations, churches and orders held open house and there was - think of it - a magnificent electrical display utilizing over 80,000 candle power. No mention was made as to who paid the bill or if Central Hudson picked up the tab. Ernest Acker assures me that it was then the "Light, Heat and Power Company."

Saturday, October 2nd, marked the arrival of the flotilla; Half Moon and Clermont, with a guard of honor that was still composed of a magnificent array of battleships representing the United States and other nations, plus yachts, tugs and other floating items. They were due at 1:30 p.m. and no record tells us just when the anchors splashed down, nor is there a report on how wind and tide affected the timing.

The flotilla was officially received by Mayor Sague, plus a real retired Rear Admiral. Present also was Peter Troy - as chairman of the executive committee. The reception was held on board the Steam Yacht Nourmahal - belonging to John Jacob Astor and loaned for the local effort. Evidently all the important officers and participants joined in this event. Remember, there were people included who took the parts of Henry Hudson, Robert Fulton, his fiancee (Miss Livingston) and other historical personages. They were, of course, dressed in suitable costumes.

The entire fleet remained at anchor off the city for two days and on the first evening, search lights and other illuminations constituted "an interesting feature." There was a magnificent display of fireworks at Kaal Rock at 8:00 p.m.

The advance publicity assured us that "the pyrotechnics will consist exclusively of aerial pieces and will be the finest 1 no