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Fort Slocum

Westchester Secret: Who Knew New Rochelle Had An Infamous Island? Westchester Secret: Who Knew New Rochelle Had An Infamous Island?
Westchester Secret: Who Knew New Rochelle Had An Infamous Island? Davids Island, which resides off New Rochelle’s shore, has a history that dates back to two of America’s greatest conflicts: The Civil War and World War I. The 78-acre island, off-limits to the public, was home to one of the biggest WWI recruiting depots east of Mississippi River and dates back to before the Great War. It was purchased by Thomas Pell, the man who purchased the Pelham area, in 1654 from the Siwanoy Native American tribe. He used it primarily for farming and pasture until the Huguenots settled on it. Later, it was sold to Ink Manufacturer Thaddeus Davids who bought it in orde…