Hand pumps similar to the one shown on the post card appear in several historic pictures of Hudson. Look carefully at the street scenes below to spot the pumps.
 |
| Courtesy Historic Hudson |
 |
| Courtesy Historic Hudson |
 |
| Courtesy Historic Hudson |
 |
| Courtesy Historic Hudson |
The pumps seemed to have been located all over town. There are no accompanying troughs, so their purpose doesn't seem to have been to provide water for horses.
A reminiscence of Hudson at the turn of the century, written by George R. Ham and originally published in the Register-Star in 1974, makes reference to the pumps: "In summer we walked blocks to fetch fountain head drinking water from the widely spread street pumps." Ham's recollection suggests that the pumps brought water from a source that was different from the source of Hudson's regular public water supply, one that provided spring water preferred for drinking, but where was this "fountain head"? Where and why were the pumps eliminated as sources of drinking water?
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK
Mrs. Molinski who lived on Allen Street told me that they had to get water around the corner on 3rd Street as there was no water to the houses. Mrs. Molinski died at 92 in 1995. Also believe that the reappearing big water spot by the Gazebo(CC Court House) was a well.
ReplyDeleteWhat year did the city abandoned its water plant at the riverside, a site now occupied the state parking lot?
ReplyDeleteThat was after city officials made the connection between the city's many typhus fatalities and the drinking of river water. But there were other problems with the plant too, perhaps having to do with gravity (though I'm not certain of that).
But if gravity was a factor, then were the pumps installed only after our drinking supply had shifted to higher ground?
My guess is the “fountain head” may have been the spring on Route 23B, described by the Labidist brothers in 1679. See page 158-159 of "Looking for Work" by Peter Scott who provides lots of detail about the "Hudson Aqueduct Company, Fountains Spring Headhouse."
ReplyDeleteI think the first image is on the north side of Union St, just past S 4th St going towards the river. A couple doors down from the Post Office.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that the hand colored postcard locations is on north side of Union between 4th & 6th, based on background of 3 story bldgs. likely to be south side of Warren.
ReplyDeleteYes, the fountain head referred to is on 23B east of Newman Road on the same side just below the large water tank. "Fountain Head" is inscribed above it's door...
ReplyDeleteOral history (requires research to establish facts) of Hudson's water works.
ReplyDeleteProprietors requested wells to be built in Hudson, various locations. Read Ellis, Miller & Bradbury.
Hudson Aqueduct Company located on Spring St. (west side of Fairview Ave just across rr tracks)
Supplied water to paid customers via wooden "pipes"
Hudson Pump House/Station erected 1874. Pumped river water up to reservoir located on Mt. Ray near Rossman Ave.
1900-1903? Churchtown dam constructed, piped water to Mt. Ray reservoir. Eliminated need for riverfront pump house/river water for drinking, etc.
Water springs were located on 23B, east of Newman Rd, Courthouse Park at 4th & West Court, Mt. Merino near rr. tracks & possibly others.
Spring street...
ReplyDeleteOldest maps of Hudson show "lake George" leading right to spring street. Navigators at high tide could sail from Fosters almost to Spring street.
ReplyDelete