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Video of the Dilapidated Newburgh Waterfront

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9 Comments

Shout out to Jared Rodriguez for finding this awesome video of the Newburgh Waterfront during the 1970’s. You can see many buildings that were torn down, and the various stages of urban renewal, such as the destruction of buildings west of Water Street. The cameraman also filmed images of Broadway.

Do you see any other buildings that you recognize? You get can see a clear short view of Clinton Square. The post card below shows it in all of it’s glory, probably in the 1920’s judging by the fashion. Thanks Michael Lemire!

9 Comment

  • Edward Silverman

    I worked in Western Union which was to the right of the statue in the square and a few doors from the Bank. That was in 1960.

    Reply
  • Edward Silverman

    I worked in Western Union which was to the right of the statue in the square and a few doors from the Bank. That was in 1960.

    Reply
  • Jared R

    Thanks for the shout-out! Keep it up with this awesome blog!

    Reply
  • Jared R

    It’s a heartbreaking video isn’t it? What the heck were they thinking? Really? Even now, what are our local politicians thinking?

    Reply
  • Mike

    Just imagine if they didn’t tear all those buildings down; instead today they were refurbished as galleries an restaurants and shops.. would have been the hudson valley’s #1 tourist destination.

    In the 1960’s people didnt have any restoration mindset. what was old was junk.. very sad

    Reply
    • Cher Vick

      Mike, my imagination just runs wild when I think of what Newburgh was, and what it could’ve been today had they not torn it down. But urban renewal was happening all over the country….not just Newburgh. Imagine all the other places that were lost that we don’t even know about. So sad.

      Reply
  • Neil Alexander

    My family & I have been here for 12 years. We knew, of course, but to see actual footage… it’s more heartbreaking then I can bear. The lack of a real “Center Of Town”, is in my opinion, the biggest obstacle to the City’s recovery. After actually seeing what was lost, I gotta tell you I feel the city may simply never recover.
    I know that’s a pessimistic outlook, and I do see progress, however slow. But wow, what a drag. Thanks for posting. Whatever glimpses we can get of this city’s history can only help.
    – Best, Neil A.

    Reply
    • Cher Vick

      I agree Neil. It is heartbreaking and so incomprehensibly sad. I just can’t find a word to describe what was lost. Still there are many hopes to make other central downtown areas of the city. All of Broadway could be a downtown shopping district. But, like you said, any glimpses of the past can only help.

      Reply
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