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by Matthew Thorenz (Author)
The village of Washingtonville and town of Blooming Grove contain a rich history that extends from early settlement by the Lenape people of the Delaware Nation to colonial European settlement in the 18th century and expanded regional development through the 19th and 20th centuries. Blooming Grove is naturally defined by Schunnemunk Mountain (Lenape for excellent fireplace) and the Moodna Creek, which is referred to as Waoraneck by the Lenape and Murderer's Creek in early written documents. The fertile soil along the creek's banks attracted farming and milling industries to the region. Despite the loss of historic structures due to floods, fires, and other disasters, many of Washingtonville's iconic landmarks still remain. Some visible reminders of Blooming Grove's past include the Moffat Library of Washingtonville, a national and state historic landmark; Brotherhood Winery, established in 1839 and considered the oldest winery in the United States; and the Moodna Viaduct, which has been in continuous use since its completion in 1908.
