Published occasionally since 1998, each issue of “Cliff Notes” has featured a story about the human or natural history of the Palisades.
- All
- Clifftops & Mansions
- Natural History
- Picnic Areas & Riverfronts
- Revolutionary War
- The Great Depression & Works Projects
- The Kearney House
A Tale of Two Caterpillars
Two caterpillars, both destructive in their own ways, have very different origin stories!
Aeroplanes on the Hudson
We have deep connections to original aeroplanes, and they often were impacted greatly by the Palisades.
A Door to the Past
Dan Kurela cares a lot about this park, so when he was tasked with restoring two park buildings, he knew he needed to find the right door!
A Most Alluring Pest
Despite its striking appearance, the invasive spotted lantern fly poses a threat to our native forests.
An Uninvited Guest
Learn about a plant that has touched countless moments of American History… for better or worse…
Alberta’s Duck Hawks
Local historical records shed some light on the peregrine falcon, which was almost brought to extinction in the twentieth century, but has made a comeback to the Palisades.
The Devil in the Details
Remembering the vast Rio Vista estate — and some local folklore that is connected with the park.
A Monopoly of the Bad Business
In the summer of 1863, a number of Palisades residents were first-hand witnesses to the chaos of the Civil War Draft Riots in New York City.
An Oft Repeated Anecdote
The Rockefeller family’s connection with the development of this park is often hailed, yet rarely put into a wider context.
Oysters No Less Than a Foot Long
The unassuming oyster, now battling extinction, is woven into the very fabric of the Hudson River ecosystem and its history — including along the shores of the Palisades.
On Some New Tabletops
Reflections on the restoration of some of the stone picnic tables that were first built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps over eight decades ago.
Paddling Over
Remembering our friend Gerry Blackstone — and the legacy of paddling to the park that he helped keep alive into the twenty-first century.
Transients
The diminutive barn swallow is a welcome sign of spring at the park’s riverfront areas — with an exciting life history.
Tales of the Eastern Witness Monument
Hidden in plain sight, the trailside border monument at the state line has a rich tale or two to tell!
In the Shade of the Cliffs
Undercliff Picnic Area has a rich and lively history, from before the creation of the park and since.
A Most Regrettable Occurrence
A public health emergency in 1924 sheds light on the early days of the park.
On the Drive
A bike ride on Henry Hudson Drive is more than just good exercise. It puts you in touch with the story of the Palisades.
From the Hard Winter
Over one remarkable season in 1934, the Civil Works Administration left an impressive legacy in the park.
The Cascade
The story behind the ruins at Peanut Leap Cascade, one of the favorite hiking destinations in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
Six Months After
Update on the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey six months after the park’s waterfront was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in fall 2012.
Hidden on the Mountain
The State Line Lookout area was the site of “Skunk Hollow,” a unique nineteenth-century settlement of free Black families.
Summers in the Past
As they set out for bigger and better things, two of our longtime seasonal staffers, recently graduated from college, reminisce about their work at the Kearney House.
Deconstructing Cliffhanger
Taking a closer look at an iconic 1918 photograph from the silent movie-making days along the Palisades. Cliffhanger Point.
Skirt Check
For over three decades, Leo and Jack Schwarzstein ran — and publicized — the Yonkers–Alpine Ferry.
Hazard’s
As our venerable boat ramp marks its golden jubilee, we consider the rich history associated with the site.
Allison’s Will
William O. Allison’s life story spanned the Palisades, literally and figuratively, from riverfront village to cliff-top estate.
A Stop Along the Long Path
The Women’s Monument in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is now part of New Jersey’s Women’s Heritage Trail.
Summer Job
Bob Hartwick shares his memories of being a lifeguard at the Beaches in the park during the Depression.
Beyond the Reach of Devastation
On September 27, 1909 the governors of New Jersey and New York dedicated the Palisades Interstate Park at the “old Cornwallis Headquarters.”
Changing Tides
Dramatic changes in the ecology of the Palisades have occurred in the century since the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
And Wrestled with the Glaciers
In the early 1900s, the painter Van Dearing Perrine spent his winters in an old schoolhouse beneath the Palisades.
’09
2009 marked the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s epochal voyage — and the hundredth of the dedication of the Palisades Interstate Park.
Cliff Dale
Though it was razed in 1939, hikers still come upon the impressive ruins of George Zabriskie’s summer estate on top of the Palisades in Alpine.
Major Armstrong’s Tower
The world’s first FM radio tower, built by Edwin Armstrong in 1938, is still in operation today on top of the Palisades.
Snakes in a Park
Threatened or cornered, of course, any animal will try to defend itself. But left alone, none of the several species of snakes that live in this park is harmful to humans.
Making a Historic House into a Home
Reflections on bringing a “living history” program to the Kearney House.
The Fishermen of the Sky
The osprey is one of the most impressive autumn migrants seen along the Palisades.
American v. American: The 1781 Battle of Fort Lee
Bergen County historian Todd Braisted discusses the other Revolutionary military event that occurred at Fort Lee, one often overlooked by historians.
Remembering America’s Showplace
The Riviera nightclub brought some of the world’s biggest names in show business to the top of the Palisades in Fort Lee.
Alphabet Soup
The CWA, the WPA, and the CCC were among the Depression-era “New Deal” agencies that worked in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
Chipmunks Ahoy!
Sometimes even the most commonplace wildlife has something to teach us about the richness of forest ecology.
Devils Heads
The intriguing seedpods of the water chestnut, found along the Hudson River shoreline, provide insight on the topic of invasive species.
Some Paint, Some Mortar, A Couple of Mops, A Bucket of Water
A major exterior renovation is completed at the historic Kearney House in the summer of 2003.
The Making of a Hut
Anthony Taranto recounts in words and photographs the reconstruction of a Revolutionary War soldiers’ hut at Fort Lee Historic Park.
Somewhere Between Here and Kingston
Legless Charles Zimmy stops by Alpine Boat Basin during his epic 1937 swim from Albany to New York City.
Footnote
Remembering Margaret Oltman Dean, who grew up in the house that became our Headquarters building.
Meeting the Reel Ghosts
Volunteer (and voice talent!) Carol Hoernlein discusses the creation of our video, “A New Deal for the Palisades,” which brings the park to life during the Great Depression.
The March of the Forgotten
Historian John Spring recounts the story of the march of World War I soldiers from Dumont’s Camp Merritt to the docks at Alpine at the start of 1918’s flu pandemic.
Stranger Than Weird
In the 1920s, Cora Timken and John Burnett built a secluded estate atop the Palisades in Alpine.
The Meaning of a Hut
A fire started by vandals robbed Fort Lee Historic Park of a key element of its unique school program in October 2000.
Fighting for the Fort
Elisabeth Murphy Henderson recalls her late husband, Dr. Peter Henderson, and his efforts, beginning in the 1950s, to preserve Revolutionary history at Fort Lee.
Three Ghosts of Forest View
Overgrown and forgotten since World War II, Forest View was once a bustling picnic grove, boat basin, and campground along the Hudson in Alpine.
Triassic Park
Fossil finds over the decades have shed light on the prehistoric past of the Palisades.
On His Lordship’s Mysterious Ascent
Controversy has persisted over the precise landing site used by British General Cornwallis for his 1776 invasion of New Jersey.
Requiem for a Nut
It may be tempting, then, to suppose that here, at least, a piece of New Jersey’s woodlands has been preserved as it has stood for centuries untold, a sliver of the Forest Primeval just as Henry Hudson came upon in 1609.
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Fire on the Mountain
The Palisades Mountain House was one of the most elegant hotels in the country when it burned to the ground in 1884.
The “Mystery” of the Beaches
A host of factors led to the closing of the park’s thriving Depression-era bathing beaches.
Requiem for a Nut
The American chestnut was one of the most important trees in North America — and the Palisades.
On His Lordship’s Mysterious Ascent
Controversy has persisted over the precise landing site used by British General Cornwallis for his 1776 invasion of New
Triassic Park
Fossil finds over the decades have shed light on the prehistoric past of the Palisades.
The Three Ghosts of Forest View
Overgrown and forgotten since World War II, Forest View was once a bustling picnic grove, boat basin, and campground along the Hudson in Alpine.
Penlyn
Our Park Headquarters was once“Penlyn,” the home of Henry Herbert Oltman and his family.
Fighting for the Fort
Elisabeth Murphy Henderson recalls her late husband, Dr. Peter Henderson, and his efforts, beginning in the 1950s, to preserve Revolutionary history at Fort Lee.
The Meaning of a Hut
A fire started by vandals robbed Fort Lee Historic Park of a key element of its unique school program in October 2000.
Stranger Than Weird
In the 1920s, Cora Timken and John Burnett built a secluded estate atop the Palisades in Alpine.
The March of the Forgotten
Historian John Spring recounts the story of the march of World War I soldiers from Dumont’s Camp Merritt to the docks at Alpine at the start of 1918’s flu pandemic.
Meeting the “Reel” Ghosts
Volunteer (and voice talent!) Carol Hoernlein discusses the creation of our video, “A New Deal for the Palisades,” which brings the park to life during the Great Depression.
Footnote
Remembering Margaret Oltman Dean, who grew up in the house that became our Headquarters building.
“Somewhere between Here and Kingston”
Legless Charles Zimmy stops by Alpine Boat Basin during his epic 1937 swim from Albany to New York City.
The Making of a Hut
Anthony Taranto recounts in words and photographs the reconstruction of a Revolutionary War soldiers’ hut at Fort Lee Historic Park.
Turkey, Uncarved
The wild turkey has made a dramatic return to the forests of northern New Jersey.
Some Paint, Some Mortar, a Couple of Mops and a Bucket of Water
A major exterior renovation is completed at the historic Kearney House in the summer of 2003.
Devil’s Heads
The intriguing seedpods of the water chestnut, found along the Hudson River shoreline, provide insight on the topic of invasive species.
Chipmunks Ahoy!
Sometimes even the most commonplace wildlife has something to teach us about the richness of forest ecology.
“Alphabet Soup”
The CWA, the WPA, and the CCC were among the Depression-era “New Deal” agencies that worked in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
Remembering “America’s Showplace”
For two decades beginning in the 1930s, the Riviera nightclub brought some of the world’s biggest names in show business to the top of the Palisades in Fort Lee.
American v. American: the 1781 Battle of Fort Lee
Bergen County historian Todd Braisted discusses the other Revolutionary military event that occurred at Fort Lee, one often overlooked by historians.
Fishermen of the Sky
The osprey is one of the most impressive autumn migrants seen along the Palisades.
Making a (Historic) House into a Home
Reflections on bringing a “living history” program to the Kearney House.
Snakes in a Park
The snakes found in the Palisades are fascinating creatures — and often misunderstood.
Major Armstrong’s Tower
The world’s first FM radio tower, built by Edwin Armstrong in 1938, is still in operation today on top of the Palisades.
Cliff Dale (Part I)
As recounted in the Walker Atlas of 1876, W. C. Baker once ran a modern chicken farm high atop the Palisades.
Cliff Dale (Part II)
Though it was razed in 1939, hikers still come upon the impressive ruins of George Zabriskie’s summer estate on top of the Palisades in Alpine.
’09
2009 marked the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s epochal voyage — and the hundredth of the dedication of the Palisades Interstate Park.
“And Wrestled with the Glaciers”
In the early 1900s, the painter Van Dearing Perrine spent his winters in an old schoolhouse beneath the Palisades.
Fly Away
In 1909, many families still lived along the riverfront in the new park.
Changing Tides
Dramatic changes in the ecology of the Palisades have occurred in the century since the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
“Beyond the Reach of Devastation”
On September 27, 1909 the governors of New Jersey and New York dedicated the Palisades Interstate Park at the “old Cornwallis Headquarters.”
Twombly
In the 1890s — several years before the creation of the Palisades Interstate Park — socialites Hamilton and Florence Twombly donated land for a special picnic grove beneath the Palisades.
Gray Crag
Traces still survive of showman John Ringling’s summer estate on the Palisades at Alpine.
Summer Job
Bob Hartwick shares his memories of being a lifeguard at the Beaches in the park during the Depression.
A Stop along the Long Path
The “castle”-like Women’s Monument in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey is now part of New Jersey’s Women’s Heritage Trail.
Allison’s Will
William O. Allison’s life story spanned the Palisades, literally and figuratively, from riverfront village to cliff-top estate.
Hazard’s
As our venerable boat ramp marks its golden jubilee, we consider the rich history associated with the site.
Skirt Check
For over three decades, Leo and Jack Schwarzstein ran — and publicized — the Yonkers–Alpine Ferry.
Six Months After
Update on the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey six months after the park’s waterfront was devastated by Hurricane Sandy in fall 2012.
The Cascade
The story behind the ruins at Peanut Leap Cascade, one of the favorite hiking destinations in the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey.
How to Mix a Zabriskie
For a new year, a bit of cheer from a grand estate on the Palisades!
Deconstructing “Cliffhanger”
Taking a closer look at an iconic 1918 photograph from the silent movie-making days along the Palisades.
Summers in the Past
As they set out for bigger and better things, two of our longtime seasonal staffers, recently graduated from college, reminisce about their work at the Kearney House.
What Comes Back
In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
From the Hard Winter
Over one remarkable season in 1934, the Civil Works Administration left an impressive legacy in the park.
Camp Colony
There are still some who remember when Ross Dock was a treasured family vacation spot.
In Memoriam John Spring
John Spring’s work as a historian had a profound effect on this park.
On the Drive
A bike ride on Henry Hudson Drive is more than just good exercise. It puts you in touch with the story of the Palisades.
“A Most Regrettable Occurrence”
A public health emergency in 1924 sheds light on the early days of the park.
In the Shade of the Cliffs
Undercliff Picnic Area has a rich and lively history, from before the creation of the park and since.
Tales of the Eastern Witness
Hidden in plain sight, the trailside border monument at the state line has a rich tale or two to tell!
Transients
The diminutive barn swallow is a welcome sign of spring at the park’s riverfront areas — with an exciting life history.
Paddling Over
Remembering our friend Gerry Blackstone — and the legacy of paddling to the park that he helped keep alive into the twenty-first century.
On Some New Tabletops
Reflections on the restoration of some of the stone picnic tables that were first built by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps over eight decades ago.
Hidden on the Mountain
The State Line Lookout area was the site of “Skunk Hollow,” a unique nineteenth-century settlement of free Black families.
Oysters “Not Less Than a Foot Long”
The unassuming oyster, now battling extinction, is woven into the very fabric of the Hudson River ecosystem and its history — including along the shores of the Palisades.
“An Oft Repeated Anecdote”
The Rockefeller family’s connection with the development of this park is often hailed, yet rarely put into a wider context. It’s a situation that undervalues both the contributions of many other people — and the incredible, complex role that John D. Rockefeller Jr. actually did play in our history.
Recovering from the “Big Ones”
After a large storm we ask the public to stay off trails and roads. Between a strong river, steep cliffs, and muddy conditions, people can find themselves overwhelmed and in need of rescue quickly, even weeks or months after initial damage.
“A Monopoly of the Bad Business
In the summer of 1863, a number of Palisades residents were first-hand witnesses to the chaos of the Civil War Draft Riots in New York City.
The Devil in the Details
Remembering the vast Rio Vista estate — and some local folklore that is connected with the park.
Local historical records shed some light on the peregrine falcon, which was almost brought to extinction in the twentieth century, but has made a comeback to the Palisades.
Our Interpretive Ranger crew reflects on working at the park.
In 1882, the Palisades got a visit from Oscar Wilde - or did it?
On finding an unusual plant in our historic garden…
Despite its striking appearance, the invasive spotted lantern fly poses a threat to our native forests.
Dan Kurela writes about his time finding the right door for restoring the Ranger Station
Navigating the Hudson: Aeroplanes
The Palisades Cliffs posed a massive challenge to early aircraft, and many famed flyers risked it!
See how two caterpillars, one native and one invasive, have shaped the forests.