Community

Before Refrigerators, Rockland Lake Supplied Ice to New York City

Published

3 months ago

July 31, 2026

It’s hard to imagine today, but before refrigerators and freezers became common, New York City’s food, restaurants, hospitals, and breweries depended on one unlikely place for ice: Rockland Lake.

During the 19th century, this quiet lake in Rockland County became one of the nation’s largest sources of natural ice, supplying millions of pounds each winter to a rapidly growing New York City. At the height of the industry, Rockland Lake was known as “The Icehouse of New York City.”

Every winter, once the ice reached about a foot thick, hundreds of workers took to the frozen lake. Using horse-drawn plows, they carved the surface into a giant checkerboard before cutting enormous blocks of ice by hand.

The blocks were floated through narrow channels, lifted onto conveyor systems, and packed into massive icehouses insulated with sawdust. From there, they were loaded onto trains and barges for the trip to New York City, where they were used to preserve food long before mechanical refrigeration existed.

The arrival of the Rockland Lake Railroad in the 1860s helped turn the lake into the center of a booming industry. Ice harvested in Rockland could quickly reach markets throughout the region, making the county an essential part of everyday life in New York City.

The ice business created hundreds of jobs for local residents, from laborers and railroad workers to barge crews and carpenters. During the winter months, the lakeshore buzzed with activity as thousands of tons of ice were harvested and stored for use throughout the year.

But technology eventually changed everything.

By the early 20th century, electric refrigeration began replacing natural ice, and demand for ice harvested from lakes quickly declined. Within a few decades, the once-thriving industry had disappeared, along with the towering icehouses and rail lines that made Rockland Lake famous.

Today, Rockland Lake State Park is known for its scenic trails, fishing, cycling, and outdoor recreation. Families stroll the shoreline, cyclists circle the lake, and anglers cast their lines where workers once harvested enormous blocks of ice destined for New York City.

Few visitors realize they’re standing at the site of an industry that helped feed and preserve one of the world’s largest cities.

While the icehouses are gone and the trains no longer run, Rockland Lake’s role in New York’s history remains one of the county’s most fascinating—and often overlooked—stories.

Photo image from Yale University

Community

7 Things to Do in Rockland County This November Before Winter Arrives

Published

12 hours ago

November 4, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

November is a great time to get out and enjoy the final days of fall before colder temperatures and winter weather arrive. From hiking and scenic walks to local farms, historic attractions and holiday shopping, Rockland County offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Here are seven things to add to your November calendar.

1. Go Hiking at Bear Mountain State Park

“Bear Mountain State Park, Perkins Memorial Tower Hudson River view”

Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Bear Mountain State Park, where visitors can explore hiking trails, walk around Hessian Lake and take in panoramic views from Perkins Memorial Tower. The park also offers the Trailside Museums and Zoo and seasonal ice skating. Check hours and seasonal access before visiting.

2. Enjoy a Walk Along the Hudson River

“Nyack Beach State Park Hudson River”

Take advantage of the cooler weather with a walk at Nyack Beach State Park, Tallman Mountain State Park in Sparkill or Rockland Lake State Park in Congers. These parks offer beautiful scenery, walking paths and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

3. Explore Rockland County’s History

“Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site lighthouse”

Visit Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site to learn about Rockland County’s role in the American Revolution. Other interesting destinations include the Historical Society of Rockland County and the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center in Nyack.

4. Visit a Local Farm

“Orchards of Concklin Pomona”

November is a great time to support local farmers. Stop by Orchards of Concklin in Pomona or Dr. Davies Farm in Congers for seasonal products, baked goods, cider and other fall favorites. Check seasonal hours before visiting.

5. Plan a Family Outing at Palisades Center

“Palisades Center West Nyack”

When the weather turns cold or rainy, Palisades Center in West Nyack offers shopping, dining and indoor entertainment for families, including games, climbing activities and other attractions.

6. Get a Head Start on Holiday Shopping

“Downtown Nyack”

Explore local shops and boutiques in Nyack, Piermont, Pearl River and Suffern. November is a great time to find unique gifts, attend craft fairs and support Rockland County’s small businesses before the holiday rush.

7. Get Your Home Ready for Winter

Take advantage of the remaining mild days to prepare for winter. Check your heating system, clean gutters, protect outdoor faucets, inspect weatherstripping and make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly.

Enjoy November Close to Home

From hiking at Bear Mountain, walking at Rockland Lake to exploring local parks, farms and downtown shopping districts, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Rockland County before winter arrives.

Get outside, support local businesses and make the most of the final days of fall!

Community

Halloween May Be Over, But Your Pumpkins Still Have Plenty Of Life Left In Them!

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2026

Rockland Report Admin

Before tossing those jack-o’-lanterns and fall decorations in the trash, consider turning them into delicious seasonal recipes, making homemade treats for your dogs or donating them to a local farm.

Millions of pumpkins are discarded every year after Halloween, with many ending up in landfills. But those leftover pumpkins can serve a purpose beyond decorating your front porch.

Turn Leftover Pumpkins Into Delicious Recipes

If your pumpkins are still fresh and have not been carved, painted or treated with chemicals, you may be able to use the pumpkin flesh and seeds in a variety of recipes.

Pumpkin is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make:

Homemade pumpkin bread and muffins.
Pumpkin soup and roasted pumpkin dishes.
Pumpkin pancakes and waffles.
Roasted pumpkin seeds for a healthy snack.
Pumpkin puree for pies, desserts and other recipes.

Don’t forget your four-legged family members! Plain pumpkin puree can also be used to make homemade dog treats. Many dogs enjoy pumpkin, which contains fiber and nutrients that can be a healthy addition to their diet when served in appropriate amounts.

Try making simple pumpkin dog biscuits using plain pumpkin puree, oats and dog-safe ingredients. Avoid adding sugar, spices, salt or artificial sweeteners, particularly xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. Also, remove the stem and never feed dogs moldy or spoiled pumpkin.

Donate Your Pumpkins to Local Farms

Another option is to give your leftover pumpkins to local farmers, animal sanctuaries or livestock rescues.

Pumpkins can be a nutritious seasonal supplement for animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats and chickens. They contain moisture and nutrients that can make them a welcome treat when incorporated appropriately into an animal’s diet.

Before donating, keep these important safety tips in mind:

Only donate fresh, untreated pumpkins.
Remove candles, plastic decorations and other foreign materials.
Avoid pumpkins covered in paint, glitter or other chemicals.
Never donate moldy, rotten or spoiled pumpkins.
Contact the farm first to make sure it accepts pumpkin donations and that the pumpkins are suitable for its animals.

Help Reduce Food Waste After Halloween

Whether you turn your pumpkins into homemade recipes, bake treats for your dogs or share them with a nearby farm, there are plenty of ways to keep perfectly good pumpkins out of the landfill.

Before throwing away those Halloween decorations, think twice. Your leftover pumpkin could become a delicious family recipe, a special treat for your dog or a tasty snack for a farm animal.

Let’s make the most of pumpkin season, waste less and support our local farmers!

Editorial safety note: Only use pumpkins intended for food preparation when making recipes for people or pets. Carved pumpkins that have been sitting outdoors should not be used for cooking or dog treats.