BREAKNECK AND BANNERMAN CASTLE

A friend and I took a great hike up Breakneck Ridge off the Hudson River in New York. From atop the Ridge, we saw a castle in disrepair on a small island in the Hudson, Pollepel Island. The castle was built in stages from 1901 to 1918 by Francis Bannerman VI. Bannerman, a New York business man, purchased 90% of the US Army surplus after the Spanish-American War, including a large amount of ammunition. This castle, Bannerman's Castle, was built in the style of a Scottish castle to house this large quantity of ammunition. In 1920, two years after Bannerman's death, 200 pounds of shell and powder exploded and destroyed a large portion of the castle. A subsequent mysterious fire in 1969 destroyed even more of the castle. Not so surprising, the Native Americans believed Pollepel Island to be haunted. I also believe this island to be haunted. And I believe it to be totally awesome.