One of the most interesting aspects in this asset mapping project was looking back into the history of New Paltz. One of the events we covered that I found most interesting was the incident regarding Excelsior Avenue. Currently one of the main concourses on campus, Excelsior Avenue was once an actual street in the town of New Paltz with private residences. In 1961, President Haggerty first proposed the acquisition of the street to further expand the campus.
This photo from 1962 shows four dorms, Parker Dining Hall and Smiley Arts Building. After this was taken, Excelsior Avenue was acquired by the school and construction began on Elting Gym, Sojourner Truth Library, the humanities and science buildings, lecture center and Jacobson Faculty Tower.
Although there was opposition by many residents of New Paltz, the school was able to buy up Mohonk Avenue, thus displacing the residents. The houses were torn down to make room for the new academic buildings. This marked the first real event that caused tension between the college and the people of New Paltz. For many years after, the residents of New Paltz had little to no trust in the college.
It is thus quite interesting to look at where we are now. Almost 60 years later, the school has now proposed Park Point. This proposals is to provide off campus housing for both students and staff and have their own community. But it would require the school to buy land currently owned by a private landowner and would force the town limit to expand. Taxation issues are also showing to be a major concern.
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