Babylon Beacon

Southards Pond



Rear view of the Southard's Grist Mill. The Southard's Mill was run by George Joseph and James Southard, brothers in the 1800s. It stood until it fell apart in the early 1900s. It was a grist mill, grinding corn and flour mostly for the villagers and nearby communities use. The picture here shows a young boy who was probably one of the brothers’ sons. Photo from the Collections of the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society.

Rear view of the Southard’s Grist Mill. The Southard’s Mill was run by George Joseph and James Southard, brothers in the 1800s. It stood until it fell apart in the early 1900s. It was a grist mill, grinding corn and flour mostly for the villagers and nearby communities use. The picture here shows a young boy who was probably one of the brothers’ sons. Photo from the Collections of the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society.

At the north edge of Babylon village, Southards Pond lies in a square-shaped man-made pond. The Southard brothers transformed an open pasture into the pond for their cattle. They used horsepower to scour the soil to create a dam and basin for a watering hole for these animals. The southwest edge of the pond was the site of a grist mill which later was converted into saw mill. The remains of these two building are long gone. The only evidence is a good photograph of the sawmill which can be found in a photo history of Babylon Village. The Babylon Rod and Gun Club held duck hunting along the edge of the pond. The Westminster Kennel Club had its beginnings just west of the pond.

The pond was a source of drinking water and ice in the winter. Today, a warning sign informs the community of toxic algae growth and advises not to drink or come in contact with. Now, the pond is a sightseeing spot. The dam has a walking path and benches. Youth hockey games pop up when the ice is thick enough. A short distance downstream there is a small brick building. This is a gauging station operated by the United States Geological Survey. They monitor the volume of water flowing past that building.

Fishermen find spots along the Carlls River to cast for trout. This is a good sign that the water quality is good. The water is cold and has plenty of oxygen as a result of the waterfalls at the dam.

Mallard ducks and Canada geese are common birds that use the pond. The Carlls River emerges from the ground in Wyandanch. The river has been dammed at Belmont Lake State Park and Argyle Lake. The greenbelt trail starts at the tennis courts on Park Avenue and ends at Belmont State Park. The trail passes under both Sunrise Highway and Southern State Parkway.

Long Island is the last place in the Northeast where the peak color of its foliage can be seen. This is due to the warming effect of the Atlantic Ocean and Great South Bay and decreasing sunlight. Red Maple trees grace the north side of the pond. Maples favor wet soil. They are called red because their leaves turn bright red in mid-November. Traffic sounds emerge to spoil the experience. A small cluster of cattails grow along the western edge. There are residences on the east side of the pond. The Village has created two entrances from Southards Lane.

Imagine that you can hear the grindstone grinding grain, the hum of millstone to millstone. Imagine, too, hearing a saw cutting wood, the growl of blade to trunk. Those sounds could be heard 150 years ago.

Southards Pond is an excellent place to sky watch at night. There are few lights to interfere with the darkness. It’s a chance to see the stars, planets, meteors and constellations.

Southards Pond is surrounded by forest. To spend time just lingering there is to experience peace. Any body of water, be it ocean, bay, lake or pond opens our senses and provides solace.

We are lucky to have these resources so close to home.

The writer is a longtime naturalist, essayist, artist and poet who is the author of two poetry books. He lives in Babylon.

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