326 The Story of The Bronx 



Mount Saint Vincent de Paul, where they own a picturesque 

 tract of fifty acres, purchased in 1856. Here they conduct a 

 famous academy for the education of girls irrespective of 

 religious sect, as well as a convent for the instruction of 

 novices of the Order. The main building is an imposing brick 

 structure, five hundred feet long and three stories in height. 

 The southern half is devoted to the purposes of the academy 

 and the northern half to those of the convent. The Forrest 

 mansion is used as a residence for the chaplain ; and it is also 

 used as a library and museum for a fine collection of natural- 

 history specimens, the mineral exhibit being particularly 

 good, and for a numismatic collection of coins and medals. 



The views of the river are magnificent in all directions; for, 

 directly across, the Palisades reach their greatest height. A 

 rocky point, called "Switcher's rock" in colonial days, extends 

 beyond the New York Central Railroad tracks and makes a 

 convenient bathing-place, as well as a small park directly on 

 the water. The grounds are beautifully kept, and are so 

 extensive that many farm products are easily raised. At both 

 entrances, the Yonkers and the railroad, visitors are notified 

 by signs that all admittance is prohibited. 



Immediately south of Mount St. Vincent is Riverdale, 

 which is partially located on the old farm of George Hadley, 

 bought from the Commissioners of Forfeiture in 1785. In 

 1843, about one hundred acres were acquired by William G. 

 Ackerman; and ten years later a syndicate bought a large 

 part of the Ackerman purchase and laid it out as a village. 

 The construction of the Hudson River Railroad made the 

 property accessible, and a number of beautiful residences and 

 estates occupy the ground. It was from these heights that 

 Generals Heath and Clinton witnessed the gallant attempts 

 of the fire-ships to destroy the British war vessels in September, 



