The Early Years
The Evacuation to 1915
Embedded Files
Prior to the announcement of the Ashokan Reservoir's construction and the seizure of the land within and surrounding the future basin, Olive had been a town with a thriving balance of tourism and local industry thanks to the railroad that stopped near its economic center. This life would be irreviqably changed in 1913 as the final call to evacuate the basin was issued to the families who were still renting their old land from the City.
With this, the era of the Esopus Valley and its towns came to an end as no matter where they lived in the town, Olivites were affected by this transition. During this time, items saved by the families of those who lived through this era show a town which attempted to hold onto its identity with all the methods at their disposal.
As it Disappears
As it Disappears
As families left their homes leading up the final evacuation, the number of photographs were taken of local private houses, businesses, even bridges and views from around town increased compared to the previous years which had largely focused on advertisement of the tourism industry.
Some of these images were strictly the family home, sometimes they showed off the children, sometimes the whole family were present in front of the camera. (For example, the images in this section featuring the Van Steenburghs, the Lennox homestead, and the Dubois family home.) These images are plentiful in the collections of the Olive Free Library and many more likely exist in the private collections of the old timer families.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to determine what each photographer may have intended with their photograph. Some of these images may have been individuals documenting what property they owned as they fought for payment from the City for their land while others attempted to document a moment in their lives that was soon going to be lost. Regardless, these images showcase a town documenting itself as it would soon no longer be.
"1913 Last Day at Van Steenburgh Home Before They Flooded it For Reservoir" The Van Steenburgh home was located in the former hamlet of Brown's Station. Part of the Olive Town Archives.
"The Lennox Homestead, July 1914" This photo is noted to have been taken " [...] just before it was burned for the Construction of the Ashokan Reservoir." It is unknown if permission was granted to photograph the house after the evacuation notice or if the 1914 date inaccurate. Part of the private collection of Eleanor Arold.
"Henry Dubois Homestead Built 1817 Photo Taken 1910" Part of the Olive Town Archives.
Although fewer in number, another trend within the first few years of the new Olive was the documentation of the complete reconstruction the valley was undergoing to clear the way for reservoir. Depicting the messy, partially complete demolition of houses and desolate landscapes, these images are visually distinct from the images taken by official sources, which typically presented an industrious workforce in the midst of building the structures of the reservoir.
"Demolition of E.R. Matthews Residence For the Ashokan Reservoir" This image's depiction of a half completed demolition is one of the only images preserved of the active process that went into clearing the basin of the Ashokan Reservoir. Part of the Olive Free Library's archive.
"Demolition of West Shokan" Part of the Olive Free Library's archive.
"1907 Reservoir Construction" In contrast to the images of demolition, this image provokes a sense of industry and progress. Part of the Olive Town Archives.
However, what is perhaps most important is the photographs that were preserved, regardless of their content or intention, made their way into the collections of their taker's descendants and eventually into the town or library archives. These images now stand as visual reminders of how much the town has changed, and the events which led to Olive's divided landscape and social spheres.
At some point, around the same time as the rise in images, a reunion would begin. Known as the "Old-timers Picnic" or the "Town of Olive Labor Day Reunion," this reunion would become an annual event, a way to connect to those who had left after the Ashokan basin was filled.
Not much can be found on what occurred during the first reunion — not even when it started. Records of the event under the name of the "Labor Day Reunion" or the "Old-timers Picnic" can only be found in secondary sources announcing the events annual return decades after its beginnings. It's possible it originated with the Markle family holding a party at their homestead prior to New York City taking possession of their land on Labor Day 1909 (see image), although start dates of 1908 and 1914 are also reported in later years.
Regardless of what occurred at the first reunion, later reunions would be open to the public. They were chances to bring old friends and family members back to Olive and would feature food and games, all run by a board of elected event officials. Other gatherings would follow, but the "Old-timers Picnic" was the first to gather with the attendees' association to Olive being the primary connection point.
"Farewell Reunion." Part of the Olive Free Library's archive
These early years of the new Olive were full of attempts to preserve the old Olive in any way possible, even if it was only through its destruction. The memories of these years would be passed down and the gathering regular reminders of what the residents had gone through. Yet, As time marched on, those who had living memory of the town before the Ashokan were dwindling and new facets of Olive's identity began to emerge.
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