Croton in the 1850s — from Benson John Lossing's "The Hudson, from the Wilderness to the Sea" (1866)

Source: https://www.crotonfriendsofhistory.org/croton-in-the-1850s

Croton Point (Teller's Point): The peninsula was originally called Se-nas-qua by Native Americans and Sarah's Point by English settlers, named after Sarah Teller. William Teller acquired it from Indigenous peoples for "a barrel of rum and twelve blankets." Dr. R.T. Underhill owned an Italian villa there with extensive vineyards — approximately 80 acres of Isabella and Catawba grapes (60 belonging to the doctor) plus orchards producing apples and melons. Lossing traveled by boat up Croton Bay, passing under the Hudson River Railway drawbridge. He walked the scenic post road along high banks toward the old head of boat navigation at High Bridge. The Croton River: The original Native American name was Kitch-a-wan, meaning "a large and swift current." The Dutch named it Croton after an Indian Sachem. The river originates in Putnam and Dutchess County hills with five major tributaries. The Croton Aqueduct: In May 1837, New York City began constructing an aqueduct from a point six miles from the river's mouth.