List of New York State Historic Markers in Chemung County, New York facts for kids
This is a complete list of New York State Historic Markers in Chemung County, New York. These markers are special signs that tell us about important historical events, places, and people in the area. They help us learn about the past and understand how Chemung County became what it is today. Many of these markers talk about the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, a big military event during the American Revolutionary War.
Contents
Exploring Chemung County's History Through Markers
Chemung County is full of history, and you can find many special markers that tell its stories. These markers are like outdoor history books, showing where important events happened or where famous people lived. They help us imagine what life was like long ago.
The Sullivan-Clinton Campaign: A Key Event
Many markers in Chemung County remember the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign of 1779. This was a major military operation during the American Revolutionary War. General George Washington sent General John Sullivan and General James Clinton to lead an army through parts of New York. Their goal was to stop attacks by British-allied Native American groups and Loyalists.
Battles and Camps
- Line Occupied: Near Lowman, a marker shows where American rifle soldiers, led by General Hand, stood at the start of a battle on August 29, 1779.
- Line Of Rude Breastworks: At the intersection of NYS 17 and 367, another marker points to where British soldiers and Native Americans tried to stop Sullivan's army on that same day.
- Newtown: About a mile west of Lowman, a marker tells us about Newtown. General Sullivan named this place, and it was where British and Native American forces were defeated. Sullivan's army destroyed the village on August 30, 1779.
- The Ridge: South of Lowman, this spot was fortified by the British and formed a key defense line during the battle.
- Army Camps: Several markers, like those for Camp Of Gen. Clinton's Brigade and Camp Of Gen. Maxwell's Brigade near Chemung, show where parts of Sullivan's army camped on August 28, 1779.
- Encampment: In Elmira, a marker notes where Sullivan's army camped from September 24-29, 1779, after their main mission.
Military Routes and Roads
The army traveled long distances. Markers like Military Route (found in Chemung, Elmira Heights, and Horseheads) show the path Sullivan's army took. The Sullivan Road marker near Chemung tells us about a road built specifically for the army to cross Narrows Mountain in 1779.
Early Settlers and Villages
Before and after the Revolutionary War, people began to settle in Chemung County, creating new towns and communities.
- First Settler: In Big Flats, a marker celebrates Christian Myneer. He built the first log cabin in 1787 and later the first frame house, even planting the first orchard in Big Flats.
- Runonvea and Old Chemung Indian Village: These markers in Big Flats and Chemung remind us of Native American villages that existed before the settlers arrived. Sullivan's army destroyed them in 1779.
- Chemung River: A marker explains that the Chemung River got its name from a large horn or tusk of a mammoth found in the river before 1757.
- Dewittsburgh: In Elmira, this marker tells us about an early village boundary around 1790, named after Moses Dewitt.
- Old Ferry: In Brand Park, Elmira, a marker points to where a ferry operated from about 1800 to 1824, before the first bridge was built.
- Old Second Street Cemetery: In Elmira, this cemetery, used from 1838 to 1919, is the resting place for pioneers and soldiers from various wars, including the Revolutionary War.
- Fitzsimmons Cemetery: South of Elmira, this cemetery also holds the remains of many early settlers and people who were part of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign.
- Green Bently: In Millport, a marker honors Green Bently (1741–1821), a pioneer who served in the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign. This marker was dedicated by the Boy Scouts of Millport.
Famous People and Places
Chemung County is also connected to famous American figures.
- Mark Twain Study: In Elmira, a very special marker points to the Mark Twain Study. This small building was built in 1874 on East Hill. It was later given to Elmira College in 1952. The famous author Mark Twain, whose real name was Samuel Clemens, wrote some of his most well-known books, like "Tom Sawyer," while spending his summers here.
See also
