Haverstraw Beach State Park’s most famous tale was the meeting place for British Major John Andre and turncoat General Benedict Arnold. On September 22, 1780, Andre paddled from the Vulture, a British warship, to the shoreline under the cover of night. Here, he met Andre. Andre was later captured on his return to British-occupied New York City, and, on October 2, 1780, was hanged as a spy at Tappan. [1]

In 1845, as Haverstraw’s brick industry grew, the Snedeker family built a shipyard at the ‘V’ shape. Here, brickyard barges were repaired, and day-line boats stopped. In 1854, a fire burned the dock, and it was abandoned. [2] A seemingly short-lived sandstone quarry also took place in the vicinity. [3]

At the turn of the century, this location was referred to as “Redstone Dock” and “Redstone Beach.” It became a swimming hole where Haverstronians sought refuge in the dog days of Summer. [4]