The Great War: May 22, 1917

In the early days of the United States' involvement in World War I, a company of soldiers from New York City was guarding the railroad, and guards were stationed at the Churchtown dam and the reservoir on Mt. Ray to protect Hudson's water supply. An item that appeared on the front page of the Hudson Evening Register for May 22, 1917, reveals that the lighthouses on the river were also subject to heightened security.

In 1917, the keeper of the Hudson-Athens light was Frank M. Best, who had taken over as keeper of the light when his father, Henry D. Best, retired. Henry was the first keeper of the Hudson-Athens light and lit the beacon for the very first time on November 14, 1874.

Old Pictures of Columbia County

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