Beacon Hill

Text from William Wade

Immediately above Cold Spring are Bull Hill, Breakneck Hill, and Beacon Hill. The second of these heights contains the rock known by the various names of the Turk's Head, Anthony's Face, and Upper Anthony's Nose. Beacon Hill is one of the highest summits of the Fishkill mountains, and to its top parties of pleasure frequently resort in the summer season, to view an extensive prospect, embracing a part of the territories of five different States. The name of this mountain appears to have been " The Grand Sachem," its less sonorous title being derived from the use to which it was put during the Revolutionary war.

Edgar Mayhew Bacon describes Beacon Hill in 1903:

"Back of Fishkill rises a ridge of lofty hills, still covered with firests in many places, the highest point recently made accessible by the construction of an 'incline' railway that is nearly perpendicular. From the summit the view is unsurpassed in extent and variety by any in New York State. From Beacon Hill the huge watch fires, lighted to give warning of the approach of the enemy or to celebrate the advent of peace, could be seen from the peeks of the Catskills, the rugged tops of the Highlands, the hills of Westchester, or the far-away elevations of Mass achusetts and New Hampshire."