List of New York State Historic Markers in Columbia County, New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is a list of special historical markers found in Columbia County, New York. These markers are like signs that tell you about important places and events from the past. They help us remember the history of New York State, from old towns and famous people to early industries and important buildings.

Exploring Columbia County's History Through Markers
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Exploring Columbia County's History Through Markers

Columbia County has many interesting stories to tell. These markers highlight places where big events happened or where important people lived. Let's discover some of them!

Ancram: Iron Works and Famous Fights

The town of Ancram, New York has a rich history.

Site of Iron Works: Did you know the very first iron works in the New York Colony was here? It was started by Robert Livingston in 1748 and had four forges, which are special furnaces for shaping metal. It was taken down in 1854.
Site of Lead Mines: Lead was also mined in Ancram. The ore was first found by Mr. Keefer. The Livingston family bought the lease in 1827 and operated the mines until 1837. Others continued mining until 1866.
Famous Prize Fight: Imagine a huge crowd of over 3,000 people watching a boxing match! A famous prize fight happened here on October 5, 1883. John Morrissey won against 'Yankee' Sullivan in a fight that lasted 37 rounds!

Canaan: Revolutionary Homes and Famous Authors

The town of Canaan, New York also holds many secrets from the past.

Douglas House: This house was the home of Asa Douglas. During the American Revolution, it was a popular spot for Patriots, who supported American independence. The attic was even used to hold Tory neighbors, who were loyal to the British!
Jason Warner House: This house was important to famous American authors Susan Warner and Anna Bartlett Warner. They spent several summers here, and many scenes from their popular books, "The Wide, Wide World" and "Queechy," were set in and around this very house.
Site of Grist Mill: A grist mill, used for grinding grain, was built near Queechy Lake by Colonel William B. Whiting. During the Revolution, Tories burned it down when it was full of government grain. But it was rebuilt later!

Chatham: Early Buildings and Revolutionary Heroes

Chatham, New York has some of the oldest buildings in the county.

Friends Meeting House: The first Friends Meeting House in Columbia County was built here in 1777 at Rayville.
Groat's Tavern: The very first building in Chatham was Groat's Tavern, built by William Thomas in 1811. The village of Chatham was actually first called Groat's Corners!
Abraham Van Ness: This was the home of Abraham Van Ness, an officer in the American Revolution. Sadly, he was shot on a bridge by Tories in August 1777.
Van Alstyne House: This house is believed to have been used as a fort during the American Revolution.

Claverack: Public Schools and Old Roads

Claverack, New York is known for its early public services.

Brick House: This house was built in 1804 by Dr. Thomas Brodhead. What's cool is that the bricks for the house were made right there! Clay was kneaded by cattle walking over it to prepare it for brick making.
New York's First Public School: An amazing fact about Claverack is that New York's first public school was started here in 1791!
Post Road: This was an important road from Albany to New York City in 1772. Mail was delivered weekly by horseback, and by 1786, people could travel by covered wagons pulled by four horses.
The Academy: Built in 1834, this building was a seminary, a school for learning. The land for it was given by Edward P. Livingston.

Clermont: Home of a Founding Father

The town of Clermont, New York is famous for one of its residents.

Clermont (Livingston Manor): This historic home was built in 1730 on the Livingston Manor. It was the home of Chancellor Livingston, who was one of the five people who helped write the Declaration of Independence!

Gallatin: Ancient Cemeteries and Indian History

Gallatin, New York has markers that tell stories of early settlers and Native Americans.

Dings Cemetery: This is the oldest cemetery in Gallatin, used by the Dings family even before 1748.
Signal Rock: This special rock was used by Native Americans for fires. Fires built on this rock could be seen for many miles, acting as a signal. It was also called Green Hill Indian Signal Rock.
Site of Mannessah Home: This was the home of Prince Quack Mannessah, who was part of the Mohican Shacomeco Clan. He was the last known Native American resident of Gallatin.

Germantown: Early Churches and Mills

Germantown, New York has markers about its very first buildings.

First Schoolhouse: The first schoolhouse in Germantown was built by Palatines (German immigrants) in 1711.
First Reformed Church: The first Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Germantown was built in 1728.
Site of First Lutheran Church: The first Lutheran Church in Germantown was built even earlier, in 1710.
Site of Grist And Saw Mill: A grist mill (for grinding grain) and a saw mill (for cutting wood) were built here by Diell Rockefeller in 1751.

Hudson: City Beginnings and Famous Generals

The city of Hudson, New York has markers about its founding and important people.

Parade Hill: This park was given to the city council in 1795 to be a public walk or mall.
Gen. Worth House: On March 1, 1794, William J. Worth, who became a Major-General in the Mexican War, was born in this house.
Site of City Hall: The first City Hall in Hudson was started in 1786 and finished in 1804. It was also used as a courthouse.
Davis Hall: This building was first built as a jail in 1805. It became a City Hall in 1835 and then a theater called "Davis Hall" in 1855. Since 1862, it has been a printing shop.

Kinderhook: Presidential Home and Literary Inspiration

Kinderhook, New York is home to a former U.S. President and a famous literary character.

Lindenwald: This was the home of Martin Van Buren, the 8th President of the United States, from 1841 to 1862. The house itself was built in 1797 by Peter Van Ness.
Gen. John Burgoyne: During the American Revolution, British General John Burgoyne was held as a prisoner of war. He was entertained in this house on October 22, 1777, while being taken from the Battle of Saratoga to Boston.
Site of Ichabod Crane Schoolhouse: This is a really cool one! Washington Irving, the famous author, visited here when the school was taught by Jesse Merwin. It's believed that Merwin inspired the character of Ichabod Crane in Irving's famous story, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Van Alen Homestead: Built in 1736, this house is traditionally believed to be where Katrina Van Tassel lived. She is another character from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Town of Kinderhook (Maria Hoes): This 18th-century home was the ancestral home of Maria Hoes Van Alen, who was the mother of President Martin Van Buren.

Livingston: Old Roads and Family Estates

The town of Livingston, New York has many markers related to the Livingston family and old transportation routes.

The Hill: This house was built in 1801 by Henry Walter Livingston.
Waggon Path: This marker points to an old "waggon path" that led from the Livingston Manor House.
The Kings Hie Way: In 1714, this was "The Kings Hie Way," an important road leading from the Manor House to Taghkanic.
Calendar House: Built in 1773 by Samuel Ten Broek, this house was later bought by General Harry Livingston and stayed in his family for many years.
Memorial Chapel: Built in 1780 on the site of an even older church, this chapel covers an old crypt where generations of the Livingston family are buried.
Oak Hill: Built in 1793 by John Livingston, this house has been home to many generations of the Livingston family.
Teviotdale: Built around 1773, this was the home of Walter Livingston and his son-in-law, Robert Fulton, who invented the first successful steamboat.

New Lebanon: First Thermometers and Public Libraries

New Lebanon, New York is known for its innovations.

Kendall Shop: This is a significant site because the very first thermometers made in the United States were produced right here!
Site of First Free Public Library: New Lebanon was home to the first free public library in America! It was started on March 12, 1804, by Dr. Jesse Torrey, who is considered the "Father of The Public Library Movement of America."

Stockport: Mills and Bridges

Stockport, New York has a history of industry and impressive engineering.

Chittenden Hollow: Here, George Chittenden built the second cotton mill in the county, which was later known as Rossman Mills.
Columbiaville: This area was incorporated in 1812 and had cotton factories, saw mills, paper mills, and grist mills.
Columbiaville Bridge: In 1870, an iron bridge was built here that was 245 feet long. It was the longest single-span road bridge in New York State at the time!
Staats House: Built by Colonel Abram Staats between 1654 and 1664, this house is historically significant because Henry Hudson landed nearby on September 17, 1609, while sailing up the Hudson River.

Stuyvesant: Early Landings and Important Figures

Stuyvesant, New York has markers about early explorers and politicians.

Benjamin F. Butler: Benjamin F. Butler, a very important lawyer and politician, was born here in 1795. He helped revise state laws and served as the U.S. Attorney General.
Henry Hudson: The famous explorer Henry Hudson landed here on September 19, 1609, and was welcomed by the Native Americans, who camped here. This area was called Kinderhook.
Major Abram's Kill: This area was known as "Major Abram's (Staats) Kill" before 1667. It was also called "Third Falls" and later "Stuyvesant Falls."
Upper Falls: The first paper mill in Columbia County was built here in 1800 by Pitkins and Edmunds, on the site of an old grist mill.
John Woodward Philip: This was the birthplace of Rear Admiral John Woodward Philip, a U.S. Navy officer who commanded the "Texas" in the Battle of Santiago in 1898.

Taghkanic: Old Mills and Hamlets

Taghkanic, New York has markers about its early industries and communities.

Miller's Tavern: Built before 1770 by William Rockefeller, this tavern was where the first town meeting for Taghkanic was held in 1803.
Maryburgh Forges: These iron forges were set up by the Livingstons before 1700 but were no longer used by 1798.
New Forge Iron Works: This site had iron works from 1770 to 1790, and later included grist, feed, and plaster mills, a blacksmith shop, a store, and homes.
Plow Furnace: A furnace for making plows was started here in 1830 by John C. Wheeler. They made six different styles of plows before closing in 1905.
Taghkanic Hamlet: This small community included a tavern built before 1770, a post office, a store, a Lutheran Church, and six homes.

Images for kids

Home of Prince Quack Mannessah, the last known Indian resident of Gallatin.
The Van Alen Homestead, believed to be the home of Katrina Van Tassel from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
Marker for Ichabod Crane and Jesse Merwin, the schoolteacher who inspired the character.
The ancestral home of Maria Hoes Van Alen, mother of President Martin Van Buren.
A historical marker at Stuyvesant Falls.