Rogers Island (New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Rogers Island
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 Location in New York
Location in the United States
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| Location | Fort Edward, New York |
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| Built | 1755 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001283 |
| Added to NRHP | July 24, 1973 |
Rogers Island is an island in the Hudson River in Washington County, New York. It was once part of one of the biggest "cities" in colonial North America. Many people see it as the "spiritual home" of special military groups like the United States Army Rangers.
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Island Location: Where is Rogers Island?
Rogers Island sits in the middle of the Hudson River. You can find it in the southwestern part of Washington County, New York. It is part of the Village of Fort Edward. This village is north of Albany and east of Syracuse.
Island History: A Look Back in Time
Rogers Island has a very long and interesting past. People have lived and used this island for thousands of years.
Early Days: Native Americans on the Island
Archaeologists have found signs that Native American people hunted and fished on Rogers Island. This activity dates back to about 4000 BC! Native Americans lived in this area until Europeans arrived in the 1700s. Because of its important history, the island was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Another important spot, the Royal Blockhouse site, was added in 2012.
French and Indian War: A Strategic Spot
Rogers Island was very important during the French and Indian War (1754–1763). Its location on the Hudson River made it a key spot for the British Empire. The British built a strong fort called Fort Edward nearby. This area became a major base for British troops.
Many invasions into French Canada to the north started from here. To house so many soldiers, Fort Edward and Rogers Island grew huge. At one point, about 16,000 troops were there. This made it the third largest community in North America! Only New York City and Boston were bigger.
Robert Rogers and His Rangers
From 1756 to 1759, Rogers Island was a training ground. This is where Major Robert Rogers trained his special fighting forces. The island is named after him! Here, Rogers wrote his famous 28 ranging rules. These rules taught his soldiers how to fight in the wilderness.
Captain Israel Putnam was also stationed on the island in 1756. He was hurt while putting out a fire in the barracks. This kept him out of action for a month.
Later Years: War and Training
Fort Edward and Rogers Island were left empty in 1766. They fell into ruin during the American Revolutionary War. However, soldiers briefly used the island again in 1777.
In 2006, seven unmarked graves were found on Rogers Island. These graves suggest there was a military cemetery from the French and Indian War. The island also had a British army smallpox hospital during the war. Some deaths might have been from smallpox, while others were from battle wounds.
Later, in the 1800s, the island was used again for military training. Militia for the American Civil War trained here. The northern part of the island was even home to regular people.
Rogers Island Visitors Center: Learn and Explore
On July 6, 2001, the Rogers Island Visitors Center opened. It's a great place to learn about the Fort Edward area. The exhibits tell the story from the first Native Americans to the Revolutionary War.
The Visitors Center also hosts an annual French & Indian War Encampment every September. This event is very popular! People dress up in historical costumes. They show how soldiers lived, drilled, and fought along the Hudson River.
