National Register Listings in
Columbia County, New York

Ancram Hamlet Historic District Ancramdale Historic District Austerlitz Historic District Baldwin, Daniel and Clarissa, House Barringer-Overbaugh-Lasher House Bartlett House Bigelow-Finch-Fowler Farm Blinn-Pulver Farmhouse Bouwerie Brodhead, Thomas, House Bronson, Dr. Oliver, House and Estate Bronson, Dr. Oliver, House and Stables Burroughs-Foland Farm Church of Our Saviour Church of St. John in the Wilderness Church of St. John the Evangelist Clarkson Chapel Claverack Free Library Clermont Clermont Academy Clermont Civic Historic District Clermont Estates Historic District Columbia Turnpike East Tollhouse Columbia Turnpike-West Tollhouse Coons House Coons, Charles H., Farm Copake Falls Methodist Episcopal Church Copake Grange Hall Copake Iron Works Historic District Copake Memorial Clock Copake United Methodist Church and Copake Cemetery Crandell Theatre Crow Hill Dick House Donnelly House Dorr, Dr. Joseph P., House Double-Span Whipple Bowstring Truss Bridge Dubois, Henry A., and Evanlina, House Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Harlemville and Cemetery Evans, Cornelius H., House Felpel, George, House First Columbia County Courthouse First Presbyterian Church Forth House Front Street-Parade Hill-Lower Warren Street Historic District German Reformed Sanctity Church Parsonage Gilbert, Elisha, House Glenco Mills Methodist Church Hickory Hill Hillsdale Hamlet Historic District Hogeboom, Stephen, House House at New Forge Houses at 37-47 North Fifth St. Hudson Almshouse Hudson Historic District Hudson/Athens Lighthouse Jordan, Dr. Abram, House Kinderhook Village District Knollcroft Lace House Lebanon Springs Union Free School Linlithgo Reformed Church of Livingston Livingston Memorial Church and Burial Ground Livingston, Henry W., House Ludlow, William Henry, House Ludlow-Van Rensselaer House Lynch Hotel Lynch, James, House Mellenville Railroad Station Mesick, Jacob P., House Miller, Harmon, House Miller, Stephen, House Mount Lebanon Shaker Society Muller, Cornelius S., House New Concord Historic District New Lebanon District No. 8 School North Hillsdale Methodist Church Oak Hill Olana Old Parsonage Peck House Persons of Color Cemetery at Kinderhook Phillips, Harriet, Bungalow Pine View Farm Porter, Rev. Dr. Elbert S., House Pratt Homestead Pulver, William and Victoria, House Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack Requa House Richmond Hill Riders Mills Historic District Rockefeller, Simeon, House Rossman-Prospect Avenue Historic District Rowe-Lant Farm Scott, R. and W., Ice Company Powerhouse and Ice House Site Silvernail Homestead Simons General Store Sixteen Mile District Smith, Sanford W. and Maude, House Snyderville Schoolhouse South Bay Mill Spencertown Academy Spencertown Historic District Spengler Bridge St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church St. John's Lutheran Church St. Luke's Church St. Peter's Presbyterian Church and Spencertown Cemetery Steepletop Stone Jug Storm, Stephen, House Stuyvesant Falls Mill District Stuyvesant Railroad Station Taconic State Parkway Teviotdale Tilden, Gov. Samuel J., Monument Tracy Memorial Village Hall Complex Trinity Episcopal Church Turtle House Union Station US Post Office-Hudson Van Alen, Johannis L., Farm Van Alen, Luycas, House Van Buren, Martin, National Historic Site Van Buren, Martin, National Historic Site (Boundary Increase) Van Hoesen, Jan, House Van Ness, William W., House Van Rensselaer Lower Manor House Van Rensselaer, Conyn, House Van Rensselaer, Henry (Hendrick) I., House Van Rensselaer, Jacob Rutsen, House and Mill Complex Van Salsbergen House Van Valkenburgh, James G. House Van Valkenburgh-Isbister Farm Wilbor, The, House Wild's Mill Complex Wild, Nathan, House Williams, Elisha, House Williams, John S., House and Farm Wiswall, Oliver, House Witbeck, William A., House
The Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, was the site of the Stonewall riots in 1969, which are considered the birth of the modern gay rights movement.
Columbia County, NY, located in the picturesque Hudson Valley, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the early colonial era. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mohicans and the Wappinger people. In the early 17th century, European settlers arrived, including the Dutch who established trading posts along the river.

In the 18th century, Columbia County played a significant role in the American Revolution. It was a strategic location due to its proximity to the Hudson River, and it witnessed notable events such as the Burning of Livingston House by the British in 1777. The county also provided soldiers and supplies to the Continental Army during the war.

The 19th century saw significant economic growth in Columbia County, driven by agricultural and industrial development. Farmers cultivated wheat, corn, and dairy products, while factories producing textiles, iron, and paper emerged in the larger towns. The construction of the Erie Canal connected the region to the rest of New York State, further stimulating commerce.

In the 20th century, Columbia County experienced both social and cultural changes. The arrival of the railroad facilitated transportation and the growth of tourism, as people sought to explore the county's scenic attractions, including rolling hills, rivers, and historic sites. Gradually, the county became a popular weekend retreat for artists and writers, contributing to the flourishing arts and culture scene that continues to thrive in the present day.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Columbia County, New York.

  • 1614: Henry Hudson explores the Hudson River
  • 1664: Dutch settlers establish a trading post in the area
  • 1786: Columbia County is created from parts of Albany County
  • 1799: The town of Hudson is incorporated
  • 1800: The village of Hudson is founded
  • 1821: Construction of the Erie Canal begins, benefiting trade in Columbia County
  • 1845: Railroad lines connected to Hudson, enhancing transportation
  • 1851: The community of Chatham is incorporated as a village
  • 1870: The city of Hudson is chartered
  • 1917: Kite's Nest, the former home of writer Edna St. Vincent Millay, is built in Austerlitz
  • 1930s: The county experiences economic decline during the Great Depression
  • 1960s: Columbia County becomes a popular destination for artists and intellectuals
  • 1987: The Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area is established
  • 2000s: Columbia County experiences a revitalization through tourism and cultural activities