Friends of Point au Roche State Park

PARK HISTORY

Home to Native Americans for centuries, the 850-acre parkland was first visited by Europeans in the early 1600s. The first permanent residence in the area was built by Benjamin Mooers, in 1783.

Prior to its purchase by New York State in 1974 the area served a variety of purposes. From the 1800s into the twentieth century its use was primarily agricultural. Then, during World War I, “Junior Plattsburgh” was established at the site to provide an ROTC type experience for young men.

Later, the land use became recreational, with Camp Theodore Roosevelt, followed by Camps Red Wing & Red Cloud, enabling young people to learn about nature and develop lifelong skills. The camps originally encompassed Long Point and Middle Point, while the beaches became Beekmantown’s St Armand’s Beach.

In an earlier period a Club/Resort also stood near the Park’s shoreline, and, in the late ’50s a commercial theme park, Fantasy Kingdom, opened on present-day Park grounds, entertaining many families.

Visitors walking through the Park can still see several of the earlier buildings and old foundations.