UPDATE, DECEMBER 28, 2009: 
A major portion of Bannerman's Castle collapsed this weekend. On Saturday December 26 or Sunday December 27, the southeast corner of the Tower collapsed. The Tower is the tallest portion of the castle, built by Francis Bannerman VI as Bannerman's Island Arsenal, a private military surplus warehouse. Approximately one-third of the south wall of the tower collapsed, and approximately two-thirds of the east wall of the tower collapsed.

According to the Bannerman Castle Trust, "the unprecedented damage, caused by aging mortar and unprotected brick damaged by the elements, underscores the need for immediate action to save this endangered historic and scenic treasure in the Hudson River." To learn how to help the Trust preserve Bannerman's Castle, visit the official Bannerman Castle Trust website, www.bannermancastle.org, and read the official press release.

Photograph by Thom Johnson, December 28, 2009.
The view from the east shore of the Hudson River is looking straight 
through the tower into the back of the west wall of the tower.





Photograph by Rob Yasinsac, November 24, 2002.
The section of the tower reading "BANNER" has collapsed. The part of BANNERMAN'S reading "MAN'S" still stands. The east wall of the structure to the right of the tower, the Number Two Arsenal, collapsed years ago. That wall originally had the words "ISLAND ARSENAL" but only the section bearing the letters "NAL" stood in recent years.

Photograph courtesy of Barbara and Wes Gottlock. 
The area between the two black lines collapsed the weekend of December 26-27, 2009.

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES :
Poughkeepsie Journal - "Walls collapse at Bannerman Castle; officials hope to assess damage as soon as possible." December 28, 2009.
New York Times - "River Castle, Ever More an Apparition, Further Crumbles." Liz Robbins, December 29, 2009.
Daily Freeman - "Part of historic castle collapses." December 30, 2009.


MORE BANNERMAN CASTLE PHOTOGRAPHS :
Hudson Valley Ruins - Rob Yasinsac
Hudson Valley Ruins - Tom Rinaldi