Waters Edge

by Judy Palkimas

Title

Waters Edge

Artist

Judy Palkimas

Medium

Photograph - Photography - Photographs

Description

This image was taken in Old Greenwich,CT at the entrance to Tod's Point also called Greenwich Point. The Siwanoy Indians used it as a fishing camp and called it Monakewego � shining sands. Purchased by Daniel Patrick and Robert and Elizabeth Feake in 1640 (along with the rest of what is now Old Greenwich), it became known as Elizabeth�s Neck. A member of the Ferris family bought the land in 1730, where it remained for more than 150 years. But in 1884, this beautiful spot so close to New York City caught the eye of wealthy banker J. Kennedy Tod. Buying parcels through various agents, Tod acquired the Ferris property over the next three years and began the process that eventually turned the �shining sands� into �Tod�s Point.�

Tod�s vision for the waterfront estate he called Innis Arden was bold. Joining two small islands with fill, he built a tide-control gate and created a lake from a tidal marsh. Next came a road around the lake and a causeway to provide access to the mainland. A stone mansion, boat house, guest cottage and other buildings were erected; a barn housed cows and sheep grazed on the nine-hole golf course. For some years the Point�s sandy beach and golf course were open to Old Greenwich neighbors and guests staying at the local inns, but Tod eventually believed his hospitality was abused and the Point was closed to all but invited guests.

Tod died in 1925, his widow in 1939, and Tod�s Point became the property of the Presbyterian Hospital of New York. The RTM adopted a resolution in 1940 that the town acquire the Point � and the beach was leased for town use from 1942 to 1945. It took five years to overcome strong opposition to the purchase from some town residents and to negotiate the price. In 1946 the still-impressive stone house was converted (by its future occupants) into family apartments for returning WWII vets. But by 1960 the building had deteriorated and needed extensive repairs to bring it up to safety codes. Again a midst controversy, Tod�s grand mansion was razed in 1961. Many of the original buildings remain: the Queen Anne Building houses lockers and marine biology classes; the Chimes Building is used by the Old Greenwich Yacht Club�s Community Sailing program and provides storage lockers for sailors; the Cowbarn and former stables serve as storage and work areas for the park staff. The gates that once marked the entrance to Tod�s estate can be seen on the grounds at the Innis Arden Club in Old Greenwich.
FEATURED PHOTO in Comfortable Art 5/20/13
FEATURED PHOTO in All Things on the Atlantic Coast 5/26/13
FEATURED PHOTO in Nature and Landscape 5/30/13

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May 19th, 2013

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