The effort to bring a railroad north on the west shore of the Hudson River was finally realized when the portion of the Jersey City and Albany from Tappan to Haverstraw was opened in 1879. The extension north to Haverstraw is the same route as CSX takes today but was diverted through the Long Clove while the permanent Haverstraw Tunnel (1883) was being constructed.
The three mile temporary switchback through Long Clove opened in 1879, and the terminus was on what is now Haverstraw Transit property on Riverside Ave. During tunnel construction, the line roughly followed Old Haverstraw Road to the gap at the Long Clove and descended in three 1- mile long switchbacks to what is now Riverside Avenue.
Old Haverstraw Road Memorial
The three lines are visible crossing Long Clove Mountain, clearly crossing the DeNoyelles’ property. This is very valuable land to say the least. Now the site of the Tilcon Quarry, it has operated well over 100 years.
Below is the inclined end of the upper switchback track near the intersection of Short Clove road, the present alignment of Rt. 9W.
The middle switchback looking north directly below the old Treason Site Monument on Route 9W. This cut was later used in the first alignment of the Long Clove-Haverstraw State Highway. A little further north is a scenic overlook circa 1913 directly above Andre’s landing place.
The Haverstraw Station at the end of the line on Riverside Ave.
The definitive story can be found at the link below.
RAILROAD WARFARE AT HAVERSTRAW
South of the Mountains 1976-10, Vol. 20, No. 4
http://w3/rec/26ww.hrvh.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/hsrc/id/1784/show/176
