St. Cabrini Spring, West Park, NY

## Overview St. Cabrini Spring is a historic hand-pump spring located on the grounds of the former St. Cabrini Home in West Park, New York, along the western bank of the Hudson River in Ulster County. The spring carries a remarkable story rooted in faith and perseverance. According to a plaque placed beside the spring, when Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini purchased the property in 1890 to establish an orphanage for young women, there was no water source on the grounds. Mother Cabrini instructed the sisters to dig at a specific spot, declaring that "by the grace and power of God" water would be found. Water did indeed come forth, and the spring has reportedly continued to flow ever since, providing water for the children of St. Cabrini's Home for generations. Mother Cabrini (1850–1917) was the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and became the first naturalized U.S. citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church, in 1946. Her legacy is deeply tied to charitable works across the country, and this spring remains one of the tangible reminders of her mission in the Hudson Valley. The spring is situated in a peaceful clearing surrounded by trees and is accessed via a classic hand pump. Visitors have noted that the water has historically been used as a drinking water source by the community on the property. The grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset. ## Directions 1. Travel along **Route 9W** toward West Park, NY. 2. Look for **St. Cabrini Church** on the east side of 9W (the Hudson River side), near the intersection with **Barry Drive**. 3. Just past the church, you will see a **blue sign**. Turn **left** at the blue sign. (Note: Route 9W curves at this point in both the northbound and southbound directions — watch for the turn.) 4. Enter the parking lot and **bear left** at the fork. 5. The road will wind around the back of the property and up a hill. Continue for approximately **one mile**. 6. The road will continue straight ahead. Just past the **swimming pool**, the road will turn **left**. 7. The spring and hand pump will be in a clearing among the trees. **Contact:** 845-384-6500 ## What to Expect The spring is accessed by a traditional hand pump set in a quiet, wooded clearing. To get water flowing, the pump needs to be **primed** — it's a good idea to bring a gallon of water with you for this purpose. Alternatively, there is a small stream running along a nearby stone wall that can also be used to prime the pump. The surrounding grounds of the former St. Cabrini Home are serene and steeped in history, with views toward the Hudson River. The property has a contemplative, almost pilgrimage-like quality, and the spring itself is marked with a historical plaque telling the story of Mother Cabrini's miraculous discovery of water. The site is open from **sunrise to sunset**. The drive from the main road up to the spring is about a mile on a paved road through the property grounds, so the spring is easily accessible by car. Visitors should be respectful of the property and any posted guidelines, as this remains a site of religious and historical significance. For more information about the property and its history, the St. Cabrini Home website (cabrinihome.com) has been referenced as an additional resource.