H. Powell Ramsdell, of Newburgh, is the proprietor of the Arlington Paper Mill at Salisbury's Mills, eight miles southwest of the city on Murderer's Creek and the Newburgh branch of the Erie. The mill is the principal industrial element of the hamlet. It is picturesquely situated on the edge of a rocky gorge. The oldest part of the mill was built about 1840, by Isaac K. Oakley. It forms but a small part of the present plant, the main building of which is 480 feet long and from one to three stories high, with capacity for the employment of 150 hands, and the production of over 24,000 pounds of paper daily. It is a progressive institution and up to date in its machinery and other equipment. There are several detached buildings in addition to a connected series of brick and stone buildings, and twenty or more cottages for the families of the employees. The Arlington Mill manufactures the best grades of book paper and French folios, white and colored. These go to the great publishing houses of New York and other American cities, and some of them to England and even to Australia.
EXTENSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Washington Heights, formerly the homestead of Captain Henry Robinson—a tract of nearly 100 acres in the southern part of the city—was made a valuable addition to the resident portion of the city by its purchase from the heirs, division into streets and lots and their improvements started twenty years ago. The part of the plateau east of Lander street, about forty acres, was purchased by Henry T. McConn, and he arranged with Colonel Charles H. Weygant for its development. The macadam streets are broad and straight, the houses must set twelve feet back from the sidewalk, which is lined with shade trees. A little later, in October, 1887, William D. and Joseph M. Dickey purchased the part of the Robinson farm west of Lander street, forty-two acres, and there inaugurated similar improvements. Many lots have been sold and houses erected on both plots.
The Newburgh Street Railway Company obtained a franchise early in 1886 to build a surface road from a point near the western end of the city to the Union depot, and then another to extend the line from the corner of Water and Third streets along Water street to near the northerly line of the city. On December 23d, of the same year, the road was formally opened between West Newburgh and the Union depot. Later the road was extended to Orange Lake, and the name was changed to the Orange County Traction Company. In 1906 it was purchased by Ex-Governor Odell, and desirable improvements in equipment were made.
On recommendation of Mayor Odell, in his annual message of 1887, the people voted $30,000 for the purchase of additional lands to the former Smith estate, owned by the city, to be improved and laid out into the beautiful and sightly Downing Park, in honor of Andrew J. Downing.
Of buildings for public use the Newburgh Academy of Music is conspicuous. It was projected in 1886 by J. P. Andrews and E. S. Turner, and the construction was commenced in the spring of 1887. It has a frontage on Broadway of 85 feet and a depth of 140 feet. The auditorium is 80 feet long by 45 feet deep, 40 feet high, and will seat 1,300 people. The stage is 80 by 35 feet, and there are 12 dressing rooms, 2 balconies and 4 boxes. In all its appointments it is thoroughly modern.
Of school buildings two deserve particular notice. The Free Academy was erected in 1885-1886, and cost $67,000. The material is brick with stone trimmings. It is 112 by 68 feet, and three stories high, with basement. It has an assembly room 88 by 64 feet, which will seat 700 persons, and 12 class rooms each 31 by 23 feet. There are 21 rooms in all. Without and within it is a good specimen of school architecture. Another is the Grammar School building, erected in 1891 at a cost of $30,000. This is 74 by 76 feet, with eight class rooms 28 by 23 feet each, and each containing desks for 40 pupils. The assembly room is in the third story.
Another noteworthy building is that of the Y. M. C. A., constructed in 1882-1883, and costing $24,000. It is 31 by 77 feet, three stories high, and has a seating capacity in its assembly room for 300 persons.
In 1896-1897 a handsome Government building was erected. Congress having appropriated $100,000 for this purpose, and this has since been the home of the post-office, the business of which has already almost outgrown it.