Background

Through most of Yonkers’ early history the Nepperhan River played an important role. For Native Americans it was an important food source. European settlers, such as Van der Donck and Philipse, took advantage of the water power it provided to build mills. Nineteenth century industries were also atttracted by its water power.

Rivers were also convenient dumping places for waste. Few environmental regulations existed and within a short time the Nepperhan became polluted. Initially, this was not of much concern as few understood its long–term consequences.

Industries attracted large numbers of workers and over–crowding became a serious problem. Few workers could afford the new neighborhoods developed with the arrival of mass transportation and downtown became crowded with tenement dwellers.

By the late nineteenth century, scientific advances led to a better understanding of contagious disease, its causes, and the dangers of overcrowding and pollution. The development of new energy sources (steam, and later, electrical power) also meant industries were no longer dependent on water power.

In 1892, Yonkers’ newspapers were filled with stories of European cholera outbreaks. Yonkers health authorities became concerned that the polluted Nepperhan would cause an epidemic. At the same time, it was realized that the polluted river was inhibiting the commercial development of the downtown area.

John Copcutt’s mill pond, located in the heart of downtown, became a chief concern.

Yonkers tried to force Copcutt to close his mill pond through legal means, but the court process was long and arduous. Although an evolving body of law began to restrict and regulate individual property rights, the courts were still trying to define the boundaries of individual and community rights.

The dams were ordered down by the Yonkers Board of Health. To prevent Copcutt from obtaining an injunction, the City had the police force destroy the dams in stealth one night

The covering of the polluted Nepperhan and the relocation of industries out of the area—a process that would take decades—allowed for the development of downtown’s commercial sector.