Pinnacle Hill Was A Nearly Inaccessible Paradise Back In The 1800s, With Nearby Park Land Planned For A Sanitarium

Before the construction of City Park, later renamed to its benefactor, John C. Thompson as Thompson Park, Pinnacle Hill was a nearly inaccessible plot of land adjacent to what was referred to as Reservoir Hill, both considered an ideal location for a city park as early as 1891.

1891 was also the same year the Electric Railroad Company, of which John C. Thompson was one of the principal owners, began utilizing trolley cars in the city and its outskirts.  The company also owned Glen Park, an ideally situated park on the banks of the Black River that became known as the North Country’s Coney Island over the course of the next decade before it was abandoned.

Despite Glen Park’s popularity, the Watertown Daily Times suggested the need for another park and pushed for the consideration of Pinnacle Hill in several articles printed during the 1890s. Dr. Ernest Adolph Edward Meyer had purchased land near Reservoir Hill and was planning to build a sanitorium there but believed the city, or someone wealthy, should purchase Pinnacle Hill and develop it for a public park.

The fear was, ironically, in light of recent events, that developers would purchase the property with unparalleled views and build housing upon it. Dr. Meyer had been running a successful Turkish Bath sanitorium in the city and wished to construct a large Turkish Bath Sanitarium and hygienic hotel. He made a purchase of a farm consisting of 59 acres on State Street in 1891 and may have built it there instead of near Pinnacle Hill.

In an article dated July 13, 1895, The Times proposed the land as being an opportunity “for some wealthy citizen to confer lasting benefit on his fellows and perpetuate his name by purchasing this or similar property for park purposes.”

Below is the full article published on June 13, 1891, as well as another shorter one on July 21, 1897, that provides some fascinating history on the genesis of Thompson Park from its earlier days known as Pinnacle Hill.

The Pinnacle For a Park

Within the past few weeks a discovery has been made which will interest thousands of residents of this city who have climbed the heights of Reservoir Hill and the Pinnacle and enjoyed the grand view and the delights of that suburban locality.  In times past only those who were strong and courageous enough to walk a long distance have sought this charming place which has no rival for natural advantages within the limits of the city. 

In the future, if present plans are favorably received, those who are old and feeble, the invalids, the smallest children and the lady in her carriage as well as those in robust health are vigorous strength, will be able to visit this place and partake of its pleasures.  A grand natural park is close to the city, just where it is most accessible to the larger number of residents, and with approaches and surroundings unexcelled by even the most noted pleasure spots in the largest cities in the land. 

In company with Dr. Ernest A. E. Meyer a few days ago, a Times representative drove up State street to the farm of George Moore.  They passed through a lane running past his barns and into the pasture lot beyond.  A roadway which compares favorably with some of our city streets has been made by Mr. Moore with his farm wagons. 

Following it some distance back into the field to the point to which Academy Street will some day be extended, a little hill was ascended which brought the explorers to a broad elevation of ground gently sloping toward State Street, and 150 above the street level at its highest point, with a natural road skirting the more abrupt rise of the land beyond, leading by a gradual ascent into the beautiful grove which adorns Pinnacle Hill, and on up to the very top of the Pinnacle itself. 

There in the early morning they stood, men, horses, and carriage, having accomplished in the easiest and most comfortable manner possible a feat which few people would have believed could have been performed without encountering great danger and difficulty. To many the view from this point is familiar and known as one of never-ceasing interest.  Turn in any direction, and there is a wide expanse of territory with nothing to obstruct the vision or mar the beauty of the scene.  

The prettiest city in the land spreads itself over the plain to the west; to the south the reservoir and Gotham hills keep company with the Pinnacle; on the east are many well-tilled acres and beyond are other elevations, while to the north an enchanting view is obtained of a portion of the Black River valley and the winding stream which brings measureless wealth to the people who own its shores.  

The adaptability of the place and the reservoir hill for a public park has been conceded by all who have ever visited it.  Its accessibility is now no longer a question.  There are numerous natural ways of reaching it, and with only a slight expenditure several more could be added.  The principal routes would be on State Street to the Moore farm, on Academy Street, when it is extended, on Franklin Street via Reservoir Hill, and on Gotham Street and along the summit of the hills from there.  A park, therefore, stretching between these points would afford grand drives and abundance of room for picnic grounds, games and all the other desirable adjuncts to a city park.  

As the city already owns considerable land on reservoir hill at the present end of Franklin Street, it seems probable that at some time additions will be made to its present possessions so as to include much of the territory described.  With this view of the case, therefore, there was no misnomer when the Watertown Land company gave to its large purchase near that point the name of City Park Addition. 

But this article has to do more particularly with the pinnacle itself and its immediate surroundings. This place is now brought into prominence through the purchase by Doctor E. A. E. Meyer of a new tract of land for his proposed sanitarium. The new transaction includes a large tract on the south side of State Street, embracing all that tract of land lying back of the line of Academy Street within the boundaries of the farms of George Moore and O. S. Graves.

There are about 50 acres of high land, including the pinnacle. Dr. Meyer purposes to erect the sanitarium on the plateau, looking toward Academy and State Streets, improving the already beautiful grounds with graveled walks, driveways, flower beds, etc. Two roadways 60 feet in width will lead from the sanitarium at each side of the purchase to State Street and by these roads also the park and pinnacle will be reached.

Mr. Meyer’s plan is to have the city purchase the pinnacle and the grove, which are not to be used for the sanitarium. He is enthusiastic and confident in regard to his own enterprise, and wants the city to take advantage of the present opportunity for making an investment which will prove its worth throughout the future.

Dr. Meyer has secured the privilege of using the driveway and land across the Moore farm for all those who wish to drive to the pinnacle and see the proposed park. On Sundays he will have a boy to open the gates for drivers, and all are invited to make the journey by carriage to the highest natural elevation in Watertown.

Where A Park Should Be

Pinnacle Hill and Its Grand Outlook Described

To the Times: 

It was with pleasure that I recently noticed one or two articles in your valuable paper in regard to a city park, which is really getting to be a necessity for Watertown.

What could be of more general benefit than a free breathing place of pure cool air for its hundreds of children and adults as well?  I found all this in the shady retreat of Pinnacle Hill one of recent hot days.  Besides, being refreshed in body, my eyes were regaled by landscapes views which one may travel far and not find surpassed. 

At my right were the Rutland Heights with their meadows and fields of waving grain, all thickly dotted with farm buildings, before me a broad expanse of country through which I could trace the river by its water gleaming in the sun.  Two railroads were in sight, on each of which a train was passing.  At my left lay the city in its glare of heat and smoke.  Below at my feet many carriages were passing on State Street whose occupants seemed hastening to find fresh country air somewhere. 

I said: Oh, for the means to give this God created miniature paradise to the city and her children forever, a place of quiet restfulness for pleasure seekers.  Are we not making great mistakes in not securing it while we may?  

(Signed) HOME LOVER