CHAPTER VI: THE TOWNS ARE MOVED

Mahopac is Burned Down
Mahopac Falls Disappears Also
Flooding of Farmlands

MAHOPAC IS BURNED DOWN
The location of the business sections of Mahopac has changed three times. The location of the stores in Mahopac Falls has also changed.
Late in the 1800's, New York City was given permission by the State to condemn (or claim) property in Putnam County to make reservoirs for its water supply. It could also buy up buildings that stood too near the streams that flowed into the reservoirs. The Croton River was to have a dam built across it. The water would then back up into the valley along the river and form a reservoir.
Old Mahopac was located on Croton Falls Road, south of the present firehouse. All of the buildings were bought by the city and burned down. They were too close to the outlet from Mud Pond and this stream flowed into the Croton River.
The business district then moved up the hill. The New Town had a school, a community hall, stores, a hotel, and several houses. The community hall (now our Town Hall) and many of the other buildings, are still standing near our Middle School. Now, of course, our business section is centered on the main highway and South Lake Boulevard.

METHODIST CHURCH BUILT 1826
This was the first church built in Mahopac. It stood in the northwest corner of the old cemetery which is located behind St. John the Evangelist School.
In 1922, this church was replaced by the larger stone building which still stands on the corner of Lake Boulevard and Mt. Hope Road. The old wooden church was later torn down.

MAHOPAC FALLS DISAPPEARS ALSO
Mahopac Falls stood along the outlets from Lake Mahopac and Kirk Lake. The water from these lakes, after a trip of many miles, flows into the Amawalk Reservoir in Yorktown.
The Little village included stores which were located on the south side of 6N across from the Hill Street corner. There was a school. The Red Mills Baptist Church had a horse barn which stood across the road from the church. All of the buildings here, including the Red Mills, had to be torn down.
Only one of the old stores was left standing because it was far enough from the stream. It is still there on the north side of 6N. The driveway to this store was originally the old roadbed.
The area where the post office is now located then became the main part of the village.

FLOODING OF FARMLANDS
Many people had settled in the valley along the Croton River. They had built houses and cleared farmlands. This property was bought and the valley flooded. Some of the houses were moved out of reach of the water, but most of them were burned down. When the reservoirs are low in the summer, you can sometimes see the stone walls that are still there under the water.

CONCLUSION
This is the end of our story, but it is not the end of Mahopac's story. Many interesting things have happened here in the 1900's.
There are many people living in town who have been here since they were little children. They would be very happy to tell you about the things they did and saw before you were born. Someday, the things you are doing right now will be part of history.
Perhaps some of you can write down the rest of Mahopac's story for other people to read and enjoy.