The Palisades (formally, the
Hudson Palisades), are a band of cliffs on the western
shore of the Hudson River. They are visible from much of the
West Side of
Manhattan, and a fine view of them may be had from
the Cloisters in
Fort Tryon Park. For many of
New York's West Siders, the
barrier they form (and for which they are named) is a basic part of our view
west toward the
continental
United States.
The cliffs are composed of Manhattan schist and were formed at the end of the Triassic period. It is said that John D. Rockefeller, Jr. saved the cliffs from destruction for railroad ballast and turned them over to the state of New Jersey for preservation.