Founded in 1895, the Essex County Park Commission was the first county
park system in the nation. That year, the commission began its
management of Eagle Rock. The reservation was designed by renowned
architect Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., who also designed Central Park in
New York City and the Capitol Grounds in Washington, D.C. Evident
characteristics of the architect within the park are the winding roads,
natural blended waterways, open fields, and overlooks, all of which
combine to attract thousands of visitors each year. Eagle Rock
Reservation explores many interesting and little-known facts about the
park. Readers are introduced to Llewellyn Haskell, the founder of nearby
Llewellyn Park, who first purchased land at Eagle Rock. Seen is the
trolley that once served Eagle Rock as it emerged as a popular resort
area. Included are the park's view of the New York City skyline and the
Hundred Steps to Eagle Rock, the same steps that were ascended by
visitors nearly one hundred years ago. Also seen is a
never-before-published lab note written by Thomas Edison, documenting
World War I experiments he conducted for the U.S. Navy at Eagle Rock.