Papscanee Island Preserve Brick Mound Remnants

This past late summer and fall I have continued my archaeological explorations of the Schodack N.Y. region. Along the Hudson River is a multi acre preserve of the afore mentioned name. It borders the Penn Central tracks that follow the Hudson down to NYC. My search found old railroad spikes old sledge hammer head and what appeared to be RR oil can. I also found several piles of old brick waste , crushed and brick pieces. The near by village of Castleton had in the nineteenth century as many as 6 brick companies. 2 companies continued well into the 1920's. A section of the village is still called by some of the local residence as the brick yard. But the question remained why all the old brick remains along that stretch near the tracks? In past studies of Schodack history and past discussions with family members and older residents I have become familiar with stories of the 1926 flood that wiped out much of the main street area of Castleton , which borders on the river.
The railroad was reported to have suffered rail bed damage as well. It is my belief that these left over mounds long covered up was left from emergency shoring up of rail beds in order to keep the important rail traffic moving. Brick residue was piled up and not all cleared away. Certainly there was need for emergency fill and old brick was easily obtainable and cheap. The age of the brick appears in the 50 to 100 yr old category. I intend to return at a future date to confirm my initial findings and continue my search of area.

political prediction for a troubled landscape

1. Sen B. Obama will be in the Supreme Court within 4 years.
2. Nasty Republican convention next year similar to 64
convention in San Fran.
3. Gov. M Huckabee the sleeper winner in Iowa caucases in January.