Timeline of town creation in New York's Capital District facts for kids

Opening paragraph of the Dongan Charter creating the city of Albany, New York, the oldest municipality in New York's Capital District

The towns and cities of New York's Capital District are special areas created by the state of New York to help people have a say in their local government. The Capital District is a large area with 11 counties. These counties are Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schoharie, Warren, Washington, Columbia, Montgomery, Fulton, and Greene.

New York tried different ways of organizing these local areas before deciding on the "towns" and "cities" we have today. In the past, some areas were called "districts" or "land patents." These older forms of government eventually changed into the towns and cities that now cover all the land in each county. For example, in 1772, areas in Albany and Tryon counties were called districts. By 1788, all of these had become towns. The timelines below show how today's towns grew from these earlier types of local governments. They show how one town might have been created from a larger, older area. Unless noted, all dates are from the 1860 Gazetteer of the State of New York by John H. French.

Albany and Rensselaer Counties: How Towns Grew

This section shows how the towns and cities in Albany and Rensselaer counties, plus Niskayuna in Schenectady County, were formed over time. You can see how older areas like "Beverwyck" or "Manor" changed into the modern places we know today.

Schoharie and Greene Counties: Early Settlements to Modern Towns

This section shows the history of towns in Schoharie and Greene counties. It also includes Duanesburgh from Schenectady County. You can see how very old areas, like "Hurley" or "Imboght District," developed into the towns and cities that exist today.

Schenectady County: From Boroughs to Cities

This section focuses on Schenectady County, not including Niskayuna and Duanesburgh which were covered earlier. It shows how Schenectady changed from a "patent" to a "borough," then a "district," and finally a "city."

Schenectady City Hall

Saratoga County: How Towns Were Established

This section shows the history of towns in Saratoga County, and also includes Easton from Washington County. You can see how early "districts" and "townships" became the towns and cities we know today, like Ballston, Saratoga, and Mechanicville.

Washington County: From Patents to Towns

This section shows how the towns in Washington County were formed, not including Easton which was covered earlier. You can see how early "patents" and "townships" became the towns we know today, like Cambridge, Argyle, and Salem.

Warren County: Growth of Communities

This section shows how the towns in Warren County were formed. You can see how areas like "Queensbury patent" developed into towns such as Queensbury, Thurman, and Johnsburg.

Columbia County: How Local Governments Formed

This section shows the history of towns in Columbia County. You can see how older "districts" and "manors" became the towns and cities we know today, such as Hudson, Kinderhook, and Chatham.

Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton Counties: How Towns Were Established

This section shows the history of towns in Fulton, Montgomery, and Hamilton counties, along with part of Herkimer County. You can see how older "districts" and areas like "Stone Arabia" developed into the towns and cities we know today, such as Johnstown, Amsterdam, and Mayfield.