1951-1975 Scientific Room

County Expansion, Medical Breakthroughs, and protection of animals and natural resources highlight this era in Rockland County history.

Population boom leads to county expansion and the development and construction of the Tappan Zee Bridge, Palisades Parkway and the Thruway extension.

Tappan Zee Bridge began construction in 1952 in response to the growing surge in inhabitants in Rockland and Orange Counties.  The initial construction forced the relocation of 100 homes in both Tarrytown (Westchester) and Nyack (Rockland).  The bridge was opened in to traffic on December 15,1955 simultaneously with the opening of the thruway extension.    The bridge spans 3.1 miles in length 90 feet in width and rests over 135 feet over the water. 

 Click for more information on the Tappan Zee Bridge

Palisades Parkway development and completion during the 1950's

The Palisades Parkway was built due to the increase in park use and the necessity of access to these areas.  The initial idea was to create a parkway that preserved the land of the Palisades while connecting the George Washington and Bear Mountain Bridges.  Although the road way was necessary, At first conservationists feared the parkway would destroy the beauty of the parks.  The plan was to make the parks easily accessible without taking away the landscape.  Scenic overlooks were included in the parkway design.  Construction began in 1947 and the final portion was completed in 1958.

Click here for Palisades Parkway development.

Called the "Main Street of New York", the Suffern to Yonkers extension on the New York State Thruway was completed in December 1955.  Adhering to strict guidelines of preserving the landscape of the region, billboards were forbidden within 660 feet of the thruway right-of-way. Wherever possible, trees and native grasses were planted along the route.

     In 1953 the construction of the thruway in Yonkers                    A modern day version of the thruway.

Click here for more information on the New York State Thruway

Polio Epidemic prompts extensive research and discovery  of the polio oral vaccine at Wyeth-Lederle Laboratories, Pearl River, NY.

Influx of urbanites into beautiful Rockland County inspires wealthy landowners to donate  parks  to protect wildlife and preserve free space and natural environment.