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The Man Who Thought He Owned Water: The Extraordinary Story of Frederick Trump's Battle for Water Rights

Andy Hayes

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The Man Who Thought He Owned Water: On the Brink with American Farms, Cities, and Food

by Peter B. Doran

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4781 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	302 pages

In the annals of American history, few figures are as controversial as Frederick Trump, father of former President Donald Trump. A self-made millionaire, Trump built a vast real estate empire in New York City. But behind his wealth and success lay a dark secret: a decades-long battle for the rights to water in upstate New York.

A Thirst for Power

Trump's obsession with water began in the early 1900s, when he purchased several thousand acres of land in Sullivan County, New York. The land was covered in pristine lakes and streams, and Trump quickly realized that he could make a fortune by selling the water to nearby cities and towns.

But there was a problem: the water rights to the land were not clear. Trump claimed that he owned the water outright, but the state of New York argued that the water was public property. A legal battle ensued, and it would drag on for decades.

Greed and Ambition

As the legal battle raged on, Trump's greed and ambition only grew. He began to purchase more and more land in Sullivan County, and he even built a dam to divert water from a nearby river. His actions enraged local residents, who feared that he would drain their wells and ruin their livelihoods.

Trump's relentless pursuit of water rights was driven by a deep-seated belief that he was above the law. He saw himself as a shrewd businessman who could do whatever he wanted, regardless of the consequences. In his eyes, the water of Sullivan County was his property, and he was determined to exploit it for his own gain.

The Consequences of Unchecked Power

Trump's battle for water rights had a devastating impact on Sullivan County. The diversion of water from the river caused the local trout population to decline, and the wells of some residents began to run dry. Trump's actions also damaged the local economy, as businesses that relied on water were forced to close.

The legal battle between Trump and the state of New York finally came to an end in 1991, when a court ruled that the water rights belonged to the public. Trump was ordered to remove his dam and to stop selling water from his land. But by this time, the damage had already been done.

A Legacy of Greed

Frederick Trump's battle for water rights is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power. It is a story of greed, ambition, and the consequences of putting personal profit above the public good.

The legacy of Frederick Trump's battle for water rights continues to haunt Sullivan County today. The scars of his actions are still visible in the depleted trout population and the wells that ran dry. And the mistrust that he sowed between local residents and the government lingers on.

Frederick Trump's story is a reminder that power can corrupt, and that those who seek to exploit it for their own gain will ultimately pay a price.

Additional Reading

The New York Times: The Man Who Thought He Owned Water
The Washington Post: Donald Trump's Father Left a Legacy of Water Rights Battles in Maryland and New York
ProPublica: The Trump Organization Pumped Millions of Gallons of Groundwater Without a Permit for Years

The Man Who Thought He Owned Water: On the Brink with American Farms, Cities, and Food

by Peter B. Doran

4.2 out of 5