In 1889, a prominent citizen who lived in the village of Stamford purchased 20 acres (0.031 sq mi) on the top of Utsayantha Mountain. After purchasing the land he built a four-story observation house and deeded the property to the town as a park for public use. In 1934 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation built a 60-foot-tall (18 m) tower on the peak that was built by the Aermotor Corporation.