Looking North from Alpine

This less familiar view of the Palisades shows the beach at the foot of the famed cliffs and invites us to explore the other side of the Hudson River by foot. Barnard H. Tyler chose to present the shoreline of the Palisades, by then the site of quarries and industry, as tranquil and picturesque, accessible by boat, and walkable. Compared to the looming ridge, the small scale of human presence—the tourists and modest structure beyond—suggest endurance of the landscape, but the Palisades were in fact imperiled during this time. Movements to preserve the cliffs began to gather steam in this same period, an early instance of private initiative and legislation working in tandem to preserve the Palisades, a precursor of later efforts.