List of New York State Historic Markers in Otsego County, New York Facts for Kids

New York State is full of history, and Otsego County is no exception! All around the county, you can find special signs called historic markers. These markers tell us about important places, events, and people from the past. They help us remember the stories that shaped New York and the United States.

This article explores some of the cool historic markers you can find in Otsego County, New York.

Revolutionary War Stories
Important People and Places
Images for kids
See also

Revolutionary War Stories

Otsego County played a big part in the American Revolutionary War. Many markers tell us about battles, important camps, and brave soldiers.

The Cherry Valley Massacre

In 1778, a terrible event known as the Cherry Valley Massacre happened here. Markers in Cherry Valley point to:

The fortified home of Colonel Samuel Campbell, which was attacked.
The Dunlop Home, which was destroyed during the massacre on November 11, 1778.
A monument honoring those who died in the massacre.
A spot where Lieutenant Wormuth fell in 1778, shot by the famous Mohawk leader, Joseph Brant.

Clinton's Dam and the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign

General James Clinton led an important military campaign in 1779, known as the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign. This campaign aimed to stop attacks by British-allied Native American tribes.

A marker in Cooperstown tells us about Clinton's Dam. On August 9, 1779, this dam was opened, allowing 2,000 soldiers and 200 boats (called bateaux) to travel down the Susquehanna River. This was a huge effort to move troops and supplies!
Another marker near Otego points to a Revolutionary Army Camp where the Sullivan-Clinton forces camped on August 11, 1779.
In Middle Springfield, you can find markers for Clinton Camp, where the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment guarded supply wagons in 1779.
Another marker there points to a Camp and Fort at Hyde Bay, Otsego Lake, occupied by the 4th Massachusetts Regiment in 1779.

Brave Soldiers and Heroes

Many individuals who fought in the Revolutionary War are remembered with markers:

Abner Adams (1745–1825) was a Revolutionary Soldier and one of Israel Putnam's Rangers. He is buried in a cemetery near South Hartwick. A marker was placed for him in 1932.
Timothy Murphy, a famous Revolutionary Soldier, lived on a farm near South Worcester from 1812 to 1817.

Important People and Places

Otsego County is also home to markers celebrating important figures and significant locations.

Jedediah Peck: Father of Schools

In Burlington, you can find a marker for Jedediah Peck (1747–1821). He is known as the "Father of the Common School System of the State of New York." This means he played a big role in setting up public schools for everyone in New York!

William Yates: A Medical Pioneer

Near Morris, there's a marker for William Yates, a baronet (a type of British noble), humanitarian, and famous doctor. He came from England and was important because he introduced vaccination in America in Philadelphia in 1799. He died in Morris in 1857. This marker was put up in 1965.

Early Settlements and Communities

Council Rock in Cooperstown is a famous meeting place for Native Americans. This marker was placed in 1932.
George Croghan, an Indian Agent and land speculator, lived in a log house in Cooperstown from 1769–1770. General James Clinton also used this spot as his headquarters in 1779.
The Old Stone Church in Schuyler Lake was built in 1839-40 by George Herkimer and is now used as a Universalist Church.
The Herkimer Cemetery and Herkimer Farm in Exeter are important. Hendrick Herkimer, the brother of General Nicholas Herkimer, and his sons, George and Abraham (who fought in the Revolution), are buried there. The farm was the original Herkimer homestead, settled before the Revolution.
Federal Corners near Richfield Springs was once a busy little village. It had Averill Inn, Vibber's Twelve-Forge Shop (a blacksmith shop with many furnaces!), a store, and a tannery. It was also the home and school of Dr. Jas. L. Palmer, a physician and teacher.
The Richfield Hotel in Richfield Springs is the oldest tavern in Richfield. It was built in 1816 by Nathan Dow, who fought with Ethan Allen at Ticonderoga. Its first summer guests arrived in 1821, and back then, it cost only $1.25 per week to stay!
The Beardsley Home in Richfield was built in 1790 by Obadiah Beardsley and his family, who were the first settlers in Richfield. A church, library, and school were started soon after.
The First Church in Springfield, built in 1787, was also the first Baptist Church west of the Hudson Valley. It was used by all different religious groups and for town meetings.
Spalsberry Center near East Springfield was an early settlement that was burned by Native Americans under Joseph Brant on June 18, 1778.

Education and Religion

Hartwick College was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 and became Hartwick College on February 17, 1928.
Hartwick Seminary itself is the oldest Lutheran Theological School in America. It was founded in 1797 by Reverend John Christopher Hartwick and moved to its current location in 1816.
The Continental School near Middle Springfield was a log schoolhouse built in 1797. The first Sunday School in town was organized there in 1819.
Another log schoolhouse, probably the first in Springfield, stood near East Springfield before the town was officially organized in 1797.
The First Church in Worcester village was organized in 1792 as a Congregational church and became Presbyterian in 1917. The current building was built in 1892.

Unique Features and Literature

Butternut Valley near Morris was named for three butternut trees growing from one stump. This spot was an original corner for three land grants (called patents).
Hutter's Point and Sunken Island near Cooperstown are famous spots from James Fenimore Cooper's novel, "The Deerslayer." Hutter's Point is where Hettie saved her father, Tom Hutter, and Hurry Harry from the Huron tribe. Sunken Island was Tom Hutter's home in the story.
The Butternut Road near Richfield Springs was an old Indian trail from Fort Plain to Unadilla. It even appeared on a map made by a British officer in 1757 during the French and Indian War.
The Hyde Hall Covered Bridge is very special! Built in 1825, it's not only the oldest existing covered bridge in New York State but also in the entire United States. It was restored in 1967 and added to the State and National Registers of Historic Places in 1998.

Images for kids

Photograph of a roadside historic marker along State Highway 80 in Burlington, Otsego County, New York. Text on the marker reads FARM AND GRAVE JEDEDIAH PECK 1747 - 1821 FATHER OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Abner Adams 1745-1825
Butternut Valley named for three butternut trees growing from one stump, the original corner of the Hillington, Wells and Otego patents 1170 ft due SE.
Revolutionary War Army Camp Sullivan-Clinton Forces Camped Near This Spot August 11, 1779
Historic Marker for William Yates, Baronet, Humanitarian, Noted Doctor, From Sapperton, Eng. Introduced Vaccination in America at Philadelphia in 1799. Died, Morris, Mar. 1857 Erected 1965 Zion Church
New York State Education Department Historical Marker with the text "Council Rock Famous Meeting Place of the Indians." 1932
Federal corners
Hyde Hall Covered Bridge - marker