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

New York State Historic Markers are special signs that tell us about important places and events in history. This article is about some of these markers found in Putnam County, New York. They help us learn about the past, especially during the American Revolution.

Historic Markers in Putnam County

Putnam County is full of history, especially from the time of the American Revolution. Many markers tell stories of brave people and important places.

Revolutionary War Heroes

Several markers in Putnam County honor people who played a big part in the American Revolution.

Enoch Crosby, the Patriot Spy

Enoch Crosby was a secret agent, or spy, for the American side during the Revolution. He was very good at gathering information without being caught. One marker about him is on NYS 52 in Carmel. It tells us that he was connected to Carmel and is buried nearby. Another marker in Southeast (on US 6 at Tilly Foster) mentions that he lived on a farm given to him for his brave service. There's even a marker in Kent (on NYS 301 at Coles Mills) pointing to the house of his brother-in-law, Solomon Hopkins. This house had a window always open for Enoch to sneak in!

Sibyl Ludington's Famous Ride

Sibyl Ludington was a brave young girl, only 16 years old, who made an amazing ride during the Revolution. On the night of April 26, 1777, she rode her horse over 40 miles through the night. She was calling out her father, Colonel Ludington's, regiment of soldiers. They needed to gather quickly to fight the British who were attacking Danbury, Connecticut.

There are many markers about Sibyl Ludington's ride across Putnam County:

• On NYS 6N at Mahopac Falls in Carmel.
• On US 6 at Carmel.
• On NYS 52 south of the Dutchess-Putnam County Line in Kent. This marker shows where her long ride ended.
• On NYS 301 at Kent Cliffs in Kent.
• On NYS 301 at Mead Corners in Kent.
• On NYS 52 south of the Putnam-Dutchess County Line in Kent.

Colonel Henry Ludington's March

Sibyl's father, Colonel Henry Ludington, also led his soldiers on a march to Danbury. Markers about "Ludington's March" can be found:

• On Co. Rd. at Ludingtonville in Kent.
• On Miltown Rd. at State Line Rd. in Southeast.

Colonel Henry Ludington and his brave daughter Sibyl are buried together. A marker on NYS 311 at Patterson tells us about their graves.

General Israel Putnam

Putnam County itself is named after a famous American general, Israel Putnam. He was a very important commander of the American forces in the Hudson Highlands area during the Revolution. Markers celebrating General Putnam and the county's name are located:

• On NYS 22 at the Dutchess-Putnam Border in Patterson.
• On US 9 at the Dutchess-Putnam County Line in Philipstown.
• On US 9 at the Putnam-Westchester County Line in Philipstown.
• On NYS 22 at the Putnam-Westchester County Line in Southeast.

Important Places and Buildings

Putnam County also has markers for historic buildings and sites.

Red Mills

On NYS 6N at Mahopac Falls in Carmel, you can find a marker for "Red Mills." This was the site of a grist mill and a carding mill. A grist mill grinds grain into flour, and a carding mill prepares wool. The original mill was built around 1760 and helped grind grain for the soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

Forest House

The "Forest House" marker is on West Lake Boulevard at Mahopac in Carmel. This was once a large wooden hotel built in 1883. It was located on a narrow strip of land between Mahopac and Kirk Lakes. The hotel burned down in 1940. It was rebuilt with brick later but was taken down in 1988.

The Log Mansion

Also on NYS 6N at Mahopac Falls in Carmel is a marker for "The Log Mansion." This house was built around 1760 for Mary Philipse and her husband, Roger Morris. It was built by their grateful tenants and stood on a hill nearby.

Fowler House

The "Fowler House" marker is on US 6 at Tilly Foster in Southeast. This old house was built around 1740 by Moses Fowler. It's famous because George Washington, the leader of the American army, often visited here. He would stop at the Fowler House on his trips between West Point and Connecticut.

Tilly Foster Mine

In Southeast, on US 6 at Tilly Foster, there's a marker for the "Tilly Foster Mine." This was an iron mine that opened in 1810. It became a very big producer of iron from 1864 to 1897. The mine was named after a former owner whose family came to the area in 1749.

Protecting the Highlands

The Hudson Highlands area was very important during the Revolution. The American forces built many forts and defenses there to stop the British.

Fort Hill

On US 9, about 3.5 miles north of the Westchester-Putnam County Line in Philipstown, is a marker for "Fort Hill." On the hill to the west, you can still see the remains of two forts, called redoubts. These were built in 1778 to defend the Highlands from the British army.

South Redoubt

Another marker for a fortification is on NYS 403 at So. Redoubt Rd. in Philipstown. This "South Redoubt" was one of the forts built between 1776 and 1777 to protect the Highlands. It stood on the hill to the north of the marker.

Sugar Loaf

On 9D, about 1 mile south of Garrison Four Corners in Philipstown, is a marker for "Sugar Loaf." On the north side of this hill, another fort was built between 1776 and 1777. These forts were part of a larger plan to defend the entire region.

The First Chain

A very interesting marker is on NYS 9D, about 1 mile northeast of the Putnam-Westchester County Line in Philipstown. It marks the location of "The First Chain." This was a giant chain placed across the Hudson River! The Americans planned it to stop British ships from sailing up the river. However, the British managed to break through it on October 7, 1777.

Connecticut Camps

Markers also show where soldiers camped. On NYS 9D at Garrison Four Corners in Philipstown, a marker points to "Connecticut Camps." On the hill west of a brook, you can still see where soldiers' huts and ovens were. New England troops stayed here from 1778 to 1783, guarding West Point.

Another marker, "Connecticut Line," is on NYS 301 at the east end of Nelsonville in Philipstown. It tells us that troops were camped in this valley during the winter of 1780-1781.

There's also a marker on NYS 9D, about 1.5 miles south of Cold Spring, pointing to an "Army Camp." This was where soldiers stayed while the defenses at West Point were being built in 1781.

Benedict Arnold's Treason

Arnold's Flight and Robinson House

Two markers in Philipstown tell the story of Benedict Arnold's betrayal during the Revolution. On NYS 9D, about 0.75 miles south of Garrison Four Corners, one marker describes "Arnold's Flight." It says that at Beverly Dock, at the bottom of this lane, Arnold was found out as a traitor. He quickly escaped by boat to a British ship called the Vulture.

The other marker, "Robinson House," is in the same area. It tells us that the Robinson House once stood there. This was where Benedict Arnold was when his plan to betray the Americans was discovered. He fled from his wife and baby to the British ship.

Other Notable People

Chancellor Kent

A marker on NYS 22 at Doansburg in Southeast honors James Kent. He was a very important judge, the Chief Justice of New York. He also wrote famous books about American law. He was born nearby on July 31, 1763.

Darius M. Couch

On NYS 22, about 1 mile northeast of Brewster in Southeast, a marker points to the birthplace of Darius N. Couch. He was a Major General in the U.S. Army during the American Civil War. He commanded the 2nd Corps of the Army of the Potomac in important battles like Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville in 1862-1863.

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