Tale of Hudson Valley Ruins Revealed

A short hike up an unused driveway just south of Beacon, N.Y. rewards visitors with a striking scene reminiscent of a dramatic film set. For decades the forest of Hudson Highlands State Park has shrouded the remains of the once magnificent Cornish Estate.

Previously, hikers who stumbled upon the remains were left to ponder the origins of the ruins. Now, with the completion of a historic interpretation project funded by our Park and Trail Partnership Grant program and the work of a group of dedicated volunteers, the history of the site is brought to life.

The Friends of Fahnestock and Hudson Highlands steward more than 20,000 acres of the two state parks, which are located on the east side of the Hudson River just south of Beacon. For years the all-volunteer organization has dedicated time to clearing the ruins of relentless invasive vines and other unwelcome plants, forging accessible pathways among the scattered remaining structures, walls, and foundations.

However, the Friends wanted visitors to know the history of the evocative site ( a brief background of the ruins can be viewed in the March 2022 edition of our eNews.) Therefore, in 2018 the Friends group applied for and was awarded a Park and Trail Partnership Stewardship and Public Access Grant in the amount of $21,500. Over the next few years, and throughout the pandemic slowdown, volunteers researched, designed, and installed several interpretive panels.

In September 2022, the signs were officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted out of the new Little Stony Point Citizens Association (LSPCA) volunteer center located across Route 9D from the trailhead leading to the ruins. The volunteer center was the ideal location for the gathering of the Friends, NYS Parks and Parks & Trails New York staff, as well as local elected officials, in that the center was also funded through a Park and Trail Partnership Grant. The volunteer center has proven to be a significant asset to Little Stony Point, especially for the Friends group that hosts regular programs and events throughout at the center.

Visitors to the ruins can picnic at one of the many new tables placed among the landscaped area surrounding the visitor center, then begin their mile hike up to the ruins and beyond. For those who prefer a shorter hike with lots of bang for their buck, visitors can cross the bridge to the left of the volunteer center just past the admin building. A trailhead will appear on the right. This new short trail, developed by the LSPCA, will yield a jaw-dropping view of the Hudson River, West Point, Bannerman Castle, and more.