Walkway over the Hudson
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Walkway Over the Hudson | ||
---|---|---|
Clearance above Unlimited | | |
Clearance below | 160 feet (49 m) | |
History | ||
Constructed by | Manhattan Bridge Building Company | |
Construction start | 1886 | |
Construction end | 1889 | |
Opened | January 1, 1889 (railroad) October 3, 2009 (walkway) | |
Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge | ||
Location | Poughkeepsie, New York | |
Coordinates | 41°42′38″N 73°56′40″W / 41.71056°N 73.94444°W | |
Built | 1886–1888 | |
Architect | John F. O'Rourke; Union Bridge Co. | |
NRHP reference No. | 79001577 | |
Added to NRHP | February 23, 1979 (original) May 20, 2008 (additional documentation)[2][3] | |
Location | ||
The Walkway over the Hudson (also known as the Poughkeepsie Bridge, Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge, Poughkeepsie–Highland Railroad Bridge, and High Bridge) is a
It was taken out of service on May 8, 1974, after it was damaged by a tie fire. It was listed on the
It was reopened on October 3, 2009, as a pedestrian walkway as part of the new Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. The New York State Bridge Authority owns and is charged with maintaining the bridge structure (as directed by the Governor and Legislature in July 2010). The park is operated by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.[5] In 2017, the walkway hosted 593,868 visitors.[6] The park connects the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland to the Dutchess Rail Trail, and forms part of the Empire State Trail.[7]
At a length of 6,768 feet (2,063 m), it was the world's longest pedestrian footbridge from its opening[8][9][10] until October 2016, when it became the second-longest after being surpassed by the 7,974-foot (2,430 m) Mile Into the Wild Walkway.[11][12] The Walkway over the Hudson allows bicycles and the Mile Into The Wild does not. Also, the Walkway over the Hudson does not have an admission fee.
History
Construction
In 1868, no bridge spanned the Hudson south of the Troy–Waterford Bridge. That year, an engineer proposed a railroad bridge across the Hudson River at Poughkeepsie, in a letter published in the Poughkeepsie Eagle newspaper. The proposal seemed so absurd that the Eagle ridiculed it, and it was effectively forgotten for a few years.[13][14]
Over the years, many plans had been made for a
The
In 1875 Eastman and his colleagues made a second attempt at a bridge project, developing an agreement with the American Bridge Company of Chicago (founded 1870). American Bridge developed a plan and confronted the challenge of building the support piers in deep water. Pier construction began in 1876, but the contractors encountered the failure of a pier foundation and related construction difficulties in 1877. By early 1878 the company was bankrupt, and Eastman died later that year. It took several more years to find new investors for the project.[15]: 58–60
In 1886, the Manhattan Bridge Building Company was organized to finance the construction. Among the prominent backers was
Considered an engineering marvel of the day, the bridge has seven main spans. The total length is 6,768 feet (2,063 m), including approaches, and the top of the deck is 212 feet (65 m) above water. It is a multispan cantilever truss bridge, having two river-crossing cantilever spans of 548 feet (167 m) each, one center span of 546 feet (166 m), two anchor (connecting) spans of 525 feet (160 m), two shore spans of 201 feet (61 m) each, a 2,641 feet (805 m) approach viaduct on the eastern bank and a 1,033 feet (315 m) approach viaduct on the western bank. All seven spans were built of newly available Bessemer process "mild" (between 0.16% and 0.29% carbon) steel, while the two approach viaducts were built of iron. It formed part of the most direct rail route between the industrial northeastern states and the midwestern and western states.[16]
Operation
The bridge was the only fixed Hudson River crossing between Albany and New York City until the construction of the Bear Mountain (road) Bridge in 1924, and was advertised as a way to avoid New York City car floats and railroad passenger ferries. Ownership of the bridge passed through several railroads including the Central New England Railway (CNE), New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad (NH), Penn Central (PC) and Conrail.[17]
A strengthening of the bridge was completed in 1907[18] to handle heavier freight trains by engineer Ralph Modjeski, of the famed bridge civil engineering firm Modjeski and Masters, who added a third line of trusses down the middle, a central girder, and interleaved columns.[19][20] In 1917–18, the double tracks on the bridge were converted to gauntlet track operation to center the weight of heavier New Haven Railroad 2-10-2 steam locomotives. Even so, trains were restricted to 12 miles per hour.[21] In 1959, the gauntlet tracks were replaced by a centered single track.[17]
During World War II, the bridge was a vital link for war freight traffic, guarded around the clock by United States Army soldiers. At its peak, nearly 3,500 train cars crossed over the Hudson on a daily basis.[14][17]
Decline
While the Penn Central did not connect with the old New Haven on the west side of the bridge, it came close. For a short time in 1969 and 1970, Penn Central ran a daily train between
On May 8, 1974, a
In August 1974, the Penn Central applied for $1.75 million to repair and improve the bridge from the federal government through the
in its new system at the behest of Connecticut Senator Abraham Ribicoff, Conrail announced that it would not promise to repair and use the bridge despite a Connecticut foundation's offer to pay half the repair cost if the bridge were used again. The railroad further said that other work required to make the entire Maybrook route usable would raise the reactivation cost to $45.8 million.[29][30]
Seven years passed; pieces of the bridge's eastern approach viaduct over Poughkeepsie began falling onto U.S. Route 9 below, damaging passing vehicles. In response, the city sued Conrail and forced it to spend $300,000 in 1983 to remove the decking over the superstructure. Conrail then sought to dispose of the unused bridge and eventually abandoned and tore up the Maybrook Line between Hopewell Junction and Maybrook, New York, in 1983–1984.[30]
Railway Management Associates (1984–1998)
Conrail made initial plans to sell the bridge to bridge enthusiast and lawyer Donald L. Pevsner, by an option granted to him on February 1, 1984.
Restoration
On June 4, 1998, following the long nonpayment of Dutchess and Ulster County taxes on the bridge by prior owners Gordon Schreiber Miller and his successor, Vito Moreno, Moreno deeded the bridge to a nonprofit volunteer organization called Walkway Over the Hudson, which took title through its nonprofit New York corporation, the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge Company, Inc., hoping to turn it into a pedestrian and cyclist walkway. The deed was recorded in both counties on June 5, 1998. The former Central Hudson power lines were finally removed in 2009, as part of Walkway construction. On December 21, 2010, the Walkway corporation conveyed the entire structure to the New York State Bridge Authority, which restored high-limit liability insurance and "deep-pocket" maintenance assurance for the first time since November 2, 1984.[40] On September 5, 2009, conversion work and repairs to the structural steel and the laying of concrete slabs for the walkway were completed. The volunteer head of "Walkway", as it is known locally, said in 2008, "We think people will come from all over. It's the equivalent of the Eiffel Tower, or the Golden Gate Bridge."[41] The project initially received support from local residents, city and state officials totaling about $1,000,000, plus forgiveness of $550,000 in taxes inherited from the previous owners.[42][43] Walkway then solicited funding from both the State and Federal governments for historic preservation, and from private philanthropic organizations.[44] Funding sources as of January 13, 2016, include:[45]
- The Dyson Foundation, which has donated almost $20 million, including guaranteeing $8.1 million in loans that were made by Ulster Savings Bank and M&T Bank to complete the project in 2009 (now paid-off), plus $2.3 million to build the elevator that was completed in 2014.
- New York State funding, from various entities, totals about $22.5 million.
- Federal government funding, from various entities, totals about $3.5 million.
- Scenic Hudson, Inc., which has donated $1 million.
- The Jane W. Nuhn Charitable Trust has donated $500,000.
- The M&T Charitable Foundation has donated between $50,000 and $100,000.
- Amy P. Goldman and Sarah Arno have donated between $100,000 and $250,000.
The total budget as of October 2009 totaled about $38.8 million. The Walkway Group raised a total of $30.7 million as of October 23, 2009. The $8.1 million deficit was financed by lines of credit from Ulster Savings Bank ($4 million) and M&T Bank ($4.1 million) that were drawn-upon to complete the project in 2009.[46] These lines of credit were converted to loans, with an additional $2.3 million allocated to 2014 elevator construction, and were guaranteed and paid-off by The Dyson Foundation (see above).[47]
The project was separated into four phases, with the first two completed as of October 2009:[48]
- Phase 1 – attain ownership of the bridge.
- Phase 2 – structural analysis of the bridge and creation of a comprehensive plan, including budget and timeline for completion. The group also had to find funding for the project and secure funding for the start of construction.
- Phase 3 – construct and open the first 1,800 feet (550 m) of the walkway on the Ulster side. The Dutchess side will get an elevator and 900 feet (270 m) of walkway. This phase was complete on October 3, 2009 (the grand-opening date), excepting a $2.3 million elevator installation in Poughkeepsie that was completed during the summer of 2014.
- Phase 4 – construct and open the remaining 4,068 feet (1,240 m) of the walkway and its resultant connections to the Hudson Valley Rail Trail in Highland and the Dutchess Rail Trail in Poughkeepsie. The walkway was completed on September 5, 2009, and opened to the public on October 3, 2009. The Hudson Valley Rail Trail connection was finished in the autumn of 2010. The Dutchess Rail Trail connection has also been completed.
The piers were inspected in 2008 and given a clean bill of health.
The bridge became a
Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park
The opening ceremony of the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park was held on October 3, 2009, as part of wider NY400 celebrations, featured music by Pete Seeger, and was attended by Governor David Paterson, Senator Chuck Schumer, Congressman Maurice Hinchey, president of nearby Vassar College Catharine Bond Hill,[52] John May, engineer of the last train across the bridge, and other officials. Paterson said, "This bridge is now the longest footbridge in the world."[8]
The walkway immediately saw many more visitors than the expected 267,000 per year. In its first three months, it saw about 415,000 people.[53]
The walkway is operated as part of the New York State Historic Park System, open from 7:00 a.m. to dusk. Limited, wheelchair-friendly parking is available on either end of the bridge:
- East end: 61 Parker Avenue, city of Poughkeepsie; charges $5 fee to park[54]
- West end: 87 Haviland Road, Highland[54]
There are restrooms located at the ends of the walkway, although at the time of a 2008 engineering survey of the bridge, there was "not a johnny on the spot."[55] Pets are permitted, but owners should bring equipment to clean up. Bicycles and roller blades (but not skateboards) are permitted, and the walkway is flat and relatively wheelchair-friendly.[54]
The walkway connects with the Dutchess Rail Trail on the Poughkeepsie side and the Hudson Valley Rail Trail on the Highland side. The Dutchess Rail Trail additionally connects with the Maybrook Trailway in Hopewell Junction, making it part of a 40-mile continuous trail stretching from the village of Brewster to the village of New Paltz. All of these trails are part of the Empire State Trail.
New additions
On May 22, 2013, the Walkway Over the Hudson organization opened a new east pavilion, built entirely through donations of money and services. The pavilion will be occupied by the volunteers who serve as walkway ambassadors who greet and offer assistance to visitors.[56]
In October 2013, a "mobile web tour" was introduced, consisting of QR codes at locations on the walkway which link to Web content related to the spot.[57]
In summer 2014, an elevator connecting Upper Landing Park to the walkway was opened. This allows visitors to reach the center of the span via a more direct route. It also connects the walkway to the Poughkeepsie waterfront area, which is near the railroad station, Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, and Waryas Park.
On June 29, 2018, the $5.4 million, 3,500-square-foot Ulster Welcome Center at the western gateway officially opened. The facility has a plaza and amphitheater, 1,400 square foot covered patio and concession stand and public restrooms.[58] On June 20, 2019, the $3 million Dutchess Welcome Center at the eastern end of the park was dedicated and opened to the public. The 1,800 square-foot facility features restrooms, bike racks, tourist information, an outdoor patio with benches and a water fountain for dogs. Dual entrances are off Washington Street and Orchard Place.[59] A new glassed-in elevator, opened on June 20, 2019, that takes visitors to the Walkway from Upper Landing Park has been rebuilt with new "energy chain" technology which will make operations more reliable.[citation needed]
On October 25, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul dedicated the new East Gate Plaza for the Walkway Over The Hudson. The location, outside the Poughkeepsie entrance, doubled the gathering space on top of the Washington Street stairs. The space is suitable for community and other events. The project cost $2 million and was funded through State Parks Capital Funds, the Environmental Protection Fund and support from the Friends of the Walkway.[60]
Events and incidents
The first footrace on the walkway occurred the day after the official opening on October 4, 2009. The 5k race started on the Highland side, crossed to the Poughkeepsie side and turned around at the parking lot and finished back in Highland. The race was won by James Boeding in a time of 16:26. The female winner was Kira DiCaprio in 20:12. There were 660 recorded finishers of the race.[61] The 5K race, called "Treetops to Rooftops," has become an annual event, organized by the Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club.[62] The inaugural Walkway Marathon was held on June 13, 2015, with full and half marathons and a 5K run. A new addition in 2016 was the Think Differently Dash, a one-mile race for people with physical and developmental disabilities.
On May 15, 2010, LEDs were turned on for the first time, designed to allow nighttime use of the bridge, though due to funding limitations this is expected to only be used on special occasions. Some 3,000 people paid $5 apiece to attend the sold-out ceremony.[63] Crowd management presented a problem, prompting criticism and an apology from walkway organizational leaders, but ultimately no incident or injury.[64]
Though typically closed at sunset each day, the walkway often has events after sundown. Some of these openings (such as for Independence Day and in December) include fireworks displays.[65] In July 2012, in a photograph taken from the walkway, an amateur photographer captured what the New York Daily News described as a "breathtaking juxtaposition" capturing fireworks and a bolt of lightning in the same image.[66] Some of the nighttime events have featured members of the Mid-Hudson Astronomical Association, who have provided telescopes for public viewing of the moon, stars, and planets from the walkway,[67] along with lectures by local astronomer Bob Berman.[68]
On January 21, 2017, a march was held there as part of the worldwide 2017 Women's March the day after the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, drawing an estimated 5,000 participants, extending the entire length of the walkway.[69]
See also
- Poughkeepsie Bridge Route
- Mount Carmel District
- List of bridges documented by the Historic American Engineering Record in New York
- List of fixed crossings of the Hudson River
References
- ^ "Walkway Over the Hudson" (PDF). American Trails. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
- ^ a b "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
- ^ a b "New listings". National Park Service. May 30, 2008.
- ^ "Poughkeepsie-Highland Bridge Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ "Walkway over the Hudson Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge". www.nysba.state.ny.us. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ Howland, Jack (March 1, 2018). "Dutchess state parks, Walkway see big gains in 2017". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ "Routes on the Empire State Trail". Welcome to the State of New York. November 17, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
- ^ a b "Walkway Opens, Thousands Explore Unique State Park". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. October 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2009.
- ^ "Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park". New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park". Poughkeepsie Journal. October 3, 2010. p. 4.
- ^ "Scott Lyttle on Instagram: "Pretty cool to be part of an official Guinness World Record today, doing the official survey measurement for the worlds [sic] longest footbridge..."". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (March 19, 2018). Wild Kingdom – The Wild Animal Sanctuary – Walkway. YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ ISBN 1-930098-24-3.
- ^ a b "History". Walkway Over the Hudson. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
- ^ ISBN 9780813547084.
- ^ Poughkeepsie Eagle. Souvenir Edition, January 1, 1889; plus independent engineering articles from the period.
- ^ ISBN 0-89024-072-8.
- ^ "Strengthening of the Big Bridge a Remarkable Engineering Feat". The Poughkeepsie Eagle. Poughkeepsie, New York. December 14, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2017 – via nyshistoricnewspapers.org.
- ^ "catskillarchive.com". Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ "Poughkeepsie Journal Bridge Hudson Railroad New York". Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 1, 2014.
- ISBN 0-9621541-5-6.
- ^ a b Swanberg, J.W. (January 2005), "Railroad Blueprint: Maybrook, New York", Trains Magazine: 50–59
- ^ Cruz, Roberto (May 7, 2014). "Railroad bridge fire 40th anniversary: Fire in the sky". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ Sutherland, Joseph (May 9, 1974), "Fire Closes Rail Bridge 3 Months", The Evening News, Newburgh, NY, p. 1
- ^ Cusumano, Chris (May 7, 2014). "INTERACTIVE: How the Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge fire changed history". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
- ^ "Fate of Poughkeepsie Rail Bridge Up to Court", The Evening News, Newburgh, NY, p. 4A, August 30, 1974
- ^ "Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge Funds Reviewed", The Evening News, Newburgh, NY, p. 4A, December 16, 1975
- ^ "Carey Asked to Fix Bridge", The Evening News, Newburgh, NY, p. 4A, April 9, 1976
- ^ "Bridge Help Refused", The Evening News, Newburgh, NY, p. 3A, May 22, 1976
- ^ a b c Poughkeepsie Journal news stories.
- ^ Poughkeepsie Journal news stories (1984).
- ^ Earlier demolition bids received by Conrail in 1983 were reported in Carleton Mabee's book, "Bridging The Hudson: The Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge and Its Connecting Rail Lines", also cited in Footnote 3.
- ^ a b "Order Instituting Proceeding and Order to Show Cause (case no. 98-E-0439)". dps.ny.gov. March 26, 1998. p. 2. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ For the entire saga of Donald Pevsner's involvement with Conrail, which saved the bridge from Conrail demolition in 1984, see his Oral History Project [1] by the Hudson Valley Institute at Marist College, updated to March 17, 2004.
- ^ a b "In Poughkeepsie, a rusting bridge evokes dreams and anger". The New York Times. June 29, 1986. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Gordon Schreiber Miller (04/03/92)". pa.findacase.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ Documentation of the annual rent amount paid by Central Hudson to Conrail prior to the Miller bridge purchase is located in New York State Public Service Commission records; in Court documents for the case of Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation (cited in Footnote 9); and in Poughkeepsie Journal news stories in 1984-5.
- ^ Consolidated Rail Corporation v. Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, Supreme Court, County of Westchester, State of New York.
- ^ Dispute between Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation and The Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge Company, Inc., New York State Public Service Commission CASE 98-E-0439.
- ^ Walkway organization press release, December 22, 2010.
- ^ "Hudson rail bridge to be high-altitude walkway". Associated Press. October 26, 2008.
- ^ Malone, Michael (January 21, 2007). "Rusty Bridge, Great Views and Soon, a Walkway?". The New York Times.
- ^ Merchant, Robert (November 27, 2006). "History buff plugs for bridge: Yorktown man joins fight for railroad span". The Journal News. Archived from the original on July 7, 2007. Retrieved February 11, 2007.
- ^ "Walkway group takes wraps off Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge plans". Mid-Hudson News. June 5, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
- ^ Walkway Over The Hudson October 2009 online newsletter.
- ^ Walkway Over The Hudson online newsletter, Fall, 2009.
- ^ Email from Andrea Reynolds, The Dyson Foundation, to Donald L. Pevsner, dated January 13, 2016.
- ^ "Phases". Archived from the original on January 5, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2007.
- ^ Marano, Greg (August 10, 2008). "Design has helped to protect span, experts say". Pouhgkeepsie Journal. p. 2A – via Newspapers.com.
'We determined that the condition has not changed much at all since 1969'
- ^ Email from Peter Melewski, Bergmann Associates, P.C. Project Manager (Albany office), to Donald L. Pevsner, dated December 4, 2009: in possession of the Walkway Group.
- ^ "2009 National Recreation Trail designations". National Trails System. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2011.
- Miscellany News. Poughkeepsie, New York. Archived from the originalon October 11, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ Stewart, Emily (December 29, 2009). "New walkway exceeds expectations, as folks flock to bridge". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. Archived from the original on January 2, 2010. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Visit Walkway Over the Hudson". walkway.org. October 22, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
- ^ Walkway Over the Hudson: Final Design Report and Environmental Assessment, Bergmann Associates, February 22, 2008, p. V-3
- ^ 'Walkway East Pavilion' Opens, Donors Thanked at Ceremony, Walkway News, Press Releases, May 22, 2013
- ^ Wilkinson, Jordan (October 22, 2013). "Walkway app a high-tech trek". Poughkeepsie Journal.
- ^ Flanagan, Sharyn (July 1, 2018). "New welcome center opens on Highland side of Walkway Over the Hudson". Hudson Valley One. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ Cordero, Katelyn (June 20, 2019). "Walkway Over the Hudson opens welcome center. All anyone can talk about is the bathrooms". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
- ^ "Governor Hochul Announces Opening of the East Gate Plaza at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Park" (Press release). Governor’s Press Office. October 25, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Race results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
- ^ "Running Club | Mid-Hudson Road Runners Club". Mid-Hudson Road Runn.
- ^ Pizzuti, Christine (May 16, 2010). "Walkway lights come on, to delight of thousands". Poughkeepsie Journal. Poughkeepsie, New York. Archived from the original on May 18, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Official Facebook update by Walkway organization". Facebook. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Fireworks spectacular raised money for Walkway Over the Hudson". Mid Hudson News. July 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ Browdie, Brian (July 7, 2012). "Amateur photographer captures lightning bolt during Independence Day fireworks display". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ "Member Moonwalk & Skyfest". Walkway over the Hudson. Archived from the original on December 4, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
- ^ "BARDAVON & WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON PRESENT ASTRONOMER BOB BERMAN". Bardavon Theatre. Archived from the original on June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
- ^ Ferro, John (January 21, 2017). "Poughkeepsie women's march across Hudson fills Walkway". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
External links
- Walkway Over the Hudson organization
- New York State Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park
- Background information
- Illustrations and images
- Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) No. NY-131, "Poughkeepsie Bridge"
- Walkway.org History section, has pictures of falsework and cantilever cranes.
- Preservation efforts and historic register information