Successfully Preserving Architectural Heritage
Bannerman Island, located in the Hudson Highlands of New York, is home to the stunning remains of a Scottish-style fortress. The island's story began far before it was named after the Scottish-American businessman, Francis Bannerman VI, who purchased the entire island in 1900. Yet he left the most indelible mark on the premises, and so this exploration of the history of the mysterious ruins must begin with him. Mr Bannerman immigrated to New York from Scotland at the age of five, and he followed in his father’s footsteps to become a successful munitions dealer. He purchased the island and built the castle to store his massive collection of military equipment. He founded Bannerman's Co. in 1865 and, by all accounts, did very well. In fact, the arsenal he amassed was so immense it could have quite literally blown the island of Manhattan out of the water!
