Eastchester and Pelham 427 



animals in the ancient township. Where wolves abound, 

 there also are deer; and the finding of quantities of arrow- 

 heads and other implements of the chase shows that this was 

 a favorite hunting-ground of the Indians. No signs of per- 

 manent habitation have been discovered, and it is supposed 

 that the Siwanoys occupied the land only when hunting; 

 that they claimed ownership that was admitted by the whites 

 is shown by the early Indian deeds secured by the first settlers. 



Several years ago, the National Government deepened the 

 channel of Eastchester Creek, straightened its course, and 

 dredged out a basin so that vessels could ascend the stream 

 at high tide and discharge their cargoes at the docks at East- 

 chester. Regular steamboats carrying freight made daily 

 trips to and from New York as late as 1900. 



This section is still rural ; and though there has been trolley 

 connection with Mt. Vernon for a number of years, there has 

 been little advancement until recently. The Boston and 

 Westchester Railroad will be the cause of Eastchester's im- 

 provement. The making of the Boston Post-road into a 

 State road will also tend to open up the section, for, if we 

 judge from the past, it will' not be long before it will be torn 

 to pieces to lay trolley tracks. 



Nearly all of the part of the town of Pelham that was taken 

 within the city of New York is included within Pelham Bay 

 Park. There is a small section in the vicinity of the Boston 

 Road not included in the park, and also City Island ; the first 

 part is negligible. 



City Island may be reached by train on the Suburban branch 

 of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad to 

 Bartow station. Until within a year, a one-horse, bob-tailed 

 car, a relic of former days, used to connect with each train, 

 and, for a fare of five cents, the passenger was taken to Mar- 



