Following the Civil War, there was a rapid period of urbanization across the United States. Families moved from rural farms to large cities for new jobs in factories. Wide-open spaces became cramped apartment buildings, and “character-building” chores became (often unsafe) factory labor. 

Working class people were unable to spend time outside, and the outdoor spaces grew smaller. Only affluent people were able to afford consistent leisure time.

Strikes, protests, and riots broke out over the country in an attempt to curb the poor conditions the Industrial Revolution brought. Victory was slowly won, and eventually New York enacted several laws benefiting workers, including eight-hour work days, child labor reform, and compulsory education. 

Suddenly, urban parents needed to figure out how to keep their children occupied during the summer.

Peekskill’s first informal (yet relatively organized) summer activity took place at Annesville Creek immediately following the Civil War. Two African-American brothers, William and Abram Hallenbeck, sailed a boat called “The Ark” from Greene County, New York, in 1866 and settled on the banks of Annesville Creek. There, they became the creek’s unofficial lifeguards, the start of a now common summer tradition. 

William had fought for the Union during the war, and he and his brother took to fishing, mending nets, and doing odd jobs around Peekskill following their move. The creek was a popular swimming hole at the time, and the Hallenbeck brothers would keep watchful eyes on the boys who swam there; they even gave swimming lessons. 

Carlton Scofield, previous Peekskill City Historian, made note that “the rules of the free swimming school on the Hallenbeck beach were always respected. Every newcomer was warned by his confreres just what to expect in failure to abide by the customs of the beach. A warning always came before expulsion from the charmed circle.” 

In Around Old Peekskill Since 1882, Clinton Acker referred to William and Abram as Peekskill’s first Big Brothers, referring to the youth mentoring organization that began in 1904. The Hallenbeck brothers were respected and cared for by the community, especially in their later years when Peekskillians donated money and time to refurbish their dilapidated hut that had been built using planks from “The Ark.” 

Abram died in 1904 and his brother William in 1907. The town mourned the loss, and many young men reminisced on their summers spent swimming in Annesville Creek with the Hallenbecks. 

As the Hallenbeck brothers were teaching young Peekskillians how to swim in the creek, members of the community were hoping for other aquatic activities. Public baths had become all the rage in New York City and Philadelphia. They promoted good hygiene among patrons living in cramped tenement buildings and simultaneously served as recreation for young people looking to cool off in the hot summer months. 

For several years, local newspapers lobbied for these centers to make their way to Peekskill, but to no avail. An 1895 state law mandated that all cities with a population of 50,000 or more must have as many public baths as deemed necessary by the Board of Health. Unfortunately, Peekskill did not make the cut — both the 1890 and 1900 populations were each under 10,000 people.

Public baths were the predecessors to modern swimming pools. While Peekskill never got its bath, it did receive a full-size public swimming pool in the 1950s. Veterans Memorial Pool was — and still is — a popular spot for summer recreation: whether Peekskillians were learning to swim or trying to beat the heat, the pool was the place to be. 

Notably, in 1955, it was the site of famed activist Haywood Burns’ first fight for justice. At just 15 years old, he lobbied (and succeeded!) to get the swim club officially desegregated so people of all races could enjoy the space. Seventy years later, children still learn to swim at Veterans Memorial Pool, and plenty of people are around to enjoy the water. 

Home to Veterans Memorial Pool is Depew Park, established on June 1, 1901, after Senator Chauncey Depew granted the Village of Peekskill 50 acres of his family’s land to create a public park. His only stipulation was that the park was to remain free to enter and enjoy. Though it took a few years to open as a recreational space, and almost 15 years to add a playground, Depew Park has been home to summer picnics, magic shows, hiking trails, fishing competitions, summer camps, and countless other activities for over 120 years.

Although it no longer exists, Shady Lake Park was another popular Peekskill destination for the summer. Established in 1903 and located off Washington Street, it served as an example of the ethics of recreation. 

Under the patronage of Mrs. Williams, the park offered “refined amusements and surroundings” for 10-cent admissions. Dances were held there on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and vaudeville acts performed on the large stage. On Sundays, there was no admission fee but also no performances, no music, and absolutely no amusement.

It is unclear when this park was shut down, but while it was open, Shady Lake Park was home to an innumerable amount of picnics and other summer fun.

Today in Peekskill, there are many public spaces to enjoy during the summer months. The recently revitalized Pugsley Park is home to events like Pride in the Park (held in late June) and National Night (August). Lepore Park, on Main Street in front of Oakside School, is a great place to play basketball or cool off in the splash park. Have a dog? You can bring it to the Peekskill Dog Park in Beecher Park on Main Street. 

Kids and teens alike can win prizes at the library just by reading this summer, or they can learn the basics of financial literacy at the SPARK Business Academy Summer Camp. The Kiley Youth Center hosts different activities every day as well as special events. 

Peekskill’s Parks and Recreation Department has an entire guide to all the programs they’re hosting this summer for kids and adults. This includes Bike Sundays, aqua aerobics, pickleball lessons, and camps for kids and teens. Peekskill is a wonderful place to be this summer, so make the most of it!