Historical Markers in
Clinton County, New York

1805 Log Home 1827 Grist Mill 1846 First School Erected 24 Pounder Cannon A Gift for a Hero A. Vantine Farm Addoms - Hagar Burial Ground Afghanistan and Iraq/ Plattsburgh Barracks Monument Ausable Chasm's "Famous Boat Ride" B-47 Strato-Jet Bomber Memorial Battle of Plattsburgh Bay Battle of Valcour Battle of Valcour Bear Swamp Road Beckwith Graveyard Benedict Arnold Benjamin Franklin Blast Furnace British Hospital Caldwell Mine Site Catalan Forge Furnace - 1881 Catholic Summer School Champy Chazy Central City Hall - 1917 Clinton Prison Clintonville Col. Thomas Miller's Home Culver Hill Memorial David Mayo's Sail Ferry Early Industrial Area East Beekmantown Ellenburg Evergreen Cemetery Ezra Thurber’s Home FB-111A Strategic Bomber First Building First School First State Hospital for Criminally Insane First Town Meeting Fort Brown Fort Izard Fort Montgomery Fort Moreau Fort Scott Friswell Patent Gilliland Cemetery Gilliland Homestead Goshen Harkness Church Hattie Lyon Headquarters Headquarters Plattsburgh Barracks Heart of a Thriving Community Heart's Delight Heritage Trail Homestead Site of Jean LaFramboise How Did They Get Boats Back For The Next Ride? Industrial Site Isaac Platt Home Jehudi Ashmun John Addoms Jonas Platt Home Joseph Ladue Lakes to Locks Passage Loyal L. Smith Macdonough Farm MacDonough Monument Macdonough Monument - 1926 Matthew Sax McGregor Powerhouse Memorial Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church Morrisonville Community Church Nathan Lapham Home Underground RR Site Near This Spot Ober's Corners Officers' Mess Plattsburgh Barracks Old Post Cemetery Original Hamlet of Sciota Our Freedom Bell Peru Landing Peru’s First Settler Philip Farnsworth's Tavern Pike’s Cantonment Plattsburg Bay Plattsburgh Barracks Veterans Park Pliny Moore House Point au Fer Historic Site Point Au Roche Methodist Episcopal Church Port Jackson Possession House Quaker Union R.R. Station Riverview Cemetery Robert Platt Home Samuel Champlain Saranac Iron Works Sax House Schuyler Falls Sept. 11, 1814 Sheldon-Hagar Homestead Site of Burying Yard Site of Church First Clinton County High School Site of Delaware and Hudson Railroad Station Site of First School House Site of Joel Smith's Home Soper Cemetery St. Mary's Academy State Normal School The Ark The Boats And The Boatmen The Delord House The Remarkable One-Armed Joe Forkey The Scott Home The War of 1812 The War of 1812 The War of 1812 The "White House" Thomas Benedict IV Thomas Macdonough Memorial Monument Three NYSEG Sites To Site of Peru Blockhouse Train Depot Trinity Episcopal Church - 1830 Trinity Square - 1803 Troop Barracks U.S. Fort Brown Underground Railroad Valcour Bay War Memorial War of 1812 War of 1812 Trail What Is This Boat? Woolsey Mansion Working The Lake Zephaniah Platt Home
The first capital of the United States was actually located in New York City, from 1785 to 1790. The city also served as the temporary capital while Washington, D.C. was being built.
New York random facts
Clinton County, NY, located in northeastern New York State, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The region was initially inhabited by Indigenous peoples, primarily the Mohawk and Abenaki tribes, who relied on the abundant natural resources for sustenance and trade. In the 17th century, European explorers, such as Samuel de Champlain, began to arrive in the area, establishing fur trading posts and initiating contact with the native population.

European colonization came in the early 19th century when settlers began to establish permanent communities. In 1785, Clinton County was officially formed and named after George Clinton, the first Governor of New York State, and later Vice President of the United States. The county's strategic location along Lake Champlain and proximity to Canada made it an important transportation hub in the region.

During the 19th century, Clinton County played a significant role in the development of the nation's transportation network. The construction of the Erie Canal in the early 1820s provided a vital waterway connection for trade between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. In addition to water transportation, the region became a hub for rail travel with the completion of the Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad in 1851, further contributing to the county's economic growth.

In the 20th century, Clinton County experienced various economic transformations. The Plattsburgh Air Force Base, established in 1954, brought substantial military and civilian employment opportunities to the area and stimulated economic growth. The base played a crucial role during the Cold War and continued operations until its closure in 1995. Today, Clinton County remains an essential economic center, with a diverse range of industries including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, thanks to its natural beauty and historical significance.

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

  • 17th century - The region is inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Iroquois Confederacy.
  • 1609 - French explorer Samuel de Champlain is believed to be the first European to visit the area.
  • 1763 - The Treaty of Paris ends the French and Indian War, and the region becomes part of British North America.
  • 1775-1783 - Clinton County is part of the American Revolutionary War, with British forces occupying the area.
  • 1788 - Clinton County is established as part of the state of New York.
  • 1802 - Plattsburgh becomes the county seat.
  • 1812 - The Battle of Plattsburgh takes place during the War of 1812, with American forces successfully defending against a British invasion.
  • 1824 - Clinton County's borders are adjusted, reducing its size.
  • 1889 - The canals era ends with the completion of the Champlain Canal, which connects Lake Champlain to the Hudson River.
  • 1909 - Construction of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base begins; it becomes a key military installation and economic driver for the region.
  • 1995 - The Plattsburgh Air Force Base is closed, leading to a transition towards a more diversified economy.
  • Present - Clinton County is known for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and its economic sectors including agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing.