The Milton Train Station Foundation Open House
Date/Time
Date(s) - 08/21/2016
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Location
Milton Train Station
Categories
Unique Historic Event.
Join us on Sunday, August 21, 2016 for a unique historic event. The Milton Train Station Foundation will be hosting an Open House featuring Mr. Leonard Clark of Milton, New York. Mr. Clark will speak from 1 to 2pm. Open house will be from noon until 4pm.
Mr. Clark is the patriarch of seven generations of a family farming on the banks of the Hudson River.
The hills and soil around Milton are just right for fruit growing. The high hills protect the trees and crops from frost damage in the spring. The rich gravelly loam soil is perfect for fruit trees and berries. In the early years, small fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and currants were grown. By 1830, fruits were picked in the morning and delivered to the Milton dock by mid afternoon to be loaded on the night boats sailing down the Hudson River to New York City. The river was an integral part of the success of the fruit industry in the Hudson Valley. Gradually, the tree fruits: cherries, peaches, pears and apples became the primary crop of the area. By the 1930’s the Hudson Valley was famous for its apple orchards.
As Mr. Clark took over the family operations, produce was loaded at the Milton Train Station and shipped to market, via the West Shore Railroad. Mr. Clark will talk about the history of fruit farming in Milton and its connection to the Historic Milton Train Station.
The Milton Train Station is located at 38 Dock Rd., Milton, NY 12547
Questions may be directed to Dan Pinnavaia, 845-537-0174, daniel.pinnavaia@gmail.com
