Historical Markers in
Columbia County, New York

128th New York State Volunteer Infantry 1849-50     A House Transformed 1914 - Honor Roll - 1918 A Bustling Household A River Highway A Vast Estate on the Hudson Abraham Van Ness Alexander Abbott Alida Livingston American Revolution Memorial An Agrarian Lifestyle… Ancram's Civil War Veterans Barnyard Benedict Arnold House Benjamin F. Butler Birthsite Blast Furnace & Charging Deck Blowing Engine House Brezie Farm Brick House Built in 1804 Burial Ground Burned by the British Calendar House Charcoal Blast Furnace Operations Chatham Chatham War Memorial Church Cemetery Clark Home Claverack - Greenport Line Claverack War Memorial Clermont Columbia County Columbia County Columbia County Columbia Institute Copake Falls War Memorial Copake Iron Works Copake Iron Works Historic District Copake, NY War Memorial Copake-Hillsdale Line Cosy Cottage Cpl. Frank R. Fratellenico, Jr. Davis Hall Dings Cemetery Dings House Downing Church East Gate Tollhouse Edna St. Vincent Millay Elisha Williams Ezra Gates Fallen White Mulberry Tree Farm Operations Farmhands and Fishing Fertile Political Ground First Court House First Presbyterian Church of Valatie First Public School in New York First Schoolhouse First Suyham Schoolhouse First Town Meeting Founded 1782 Frederick Church and Olana Gallatin - Taghkanic Town Line Gallatin-Livingston Town Line Gallatin-Milan Town Line Gallatinville Gen. Henry Knox Trail Gen. Henry Knox Trail Gen. Henry Knox Trail Gen. Henry Knox Trail Gen. Henry Knox Trail Gen. John Burgoyne Gen. Samuel B. Webb Ghent Honor Roll Gimp Mill Glenco Mills Glynn Homestead Gov. Glynn Square Governor Martin H. Glynn Village Square Gravesite Groat’s Tavern Harlem Valley Rail Trail Heermance House Henry Hudson Henry Van Schaack Highland Turnpike Hillsdale Soldiers and Sailors Monument Historic Farm Hoes House House of History Hudson, New York Icehouse Ichabod Crane Iron Works Isaac Chesbrough House J. Miller House James Clark John Rogers House John Vanderpoel Home   c.1825 Johnstown Kinderhook Creek Kinderhook World War I Monument Kitchen Garden Knox Gun Crossing Korea Lasher House Lawrence Van Buren House Lead Mines Lindenwald Lindenwald and the Old Post Road Linlithgo Mills Livingston Livingston - Greenport Line Livingston Town Hall Livingston-Claverack Line Livingston-Claverack Line Manor House Site Marble Mounting Block Martin Van Buren Mohican Blessing Fountain Nathan Wild House New Concord Newton Hook North Road Nutten Hooke Olana Viewshed Olana Viewshed Olana Viewshed Old Chatham Old Columbia Academy Old Corner Store Operation Desert Storm Park and Lake Plow Furnace Plow Furnace Pomeroy Pomeroy Homes Post Road - 1772 Powell Patent Pratt House Queechy Church Burial Ground Reformed Dutch Church Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack Riders Mills Schoolhouse Ridge Road Robert R. Livingston Roll of Honor Saint Luke's Church Clermont Sharptown Sharp’s Landing Shaw Bridge Signal Hill Site of First Lutheran Church Site of Miller's Tavern Site of Opera House Site of Pomeroy Houses Snyderville Snyderville School Soil Improvers Spencertown Academy Spencertown Historic District Spook Rock St Peter’s Presbyterian Church St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church St. Luke’s Lutheran Church St. Peter’s Restoration Staats House Stage Inn Stockport-Stuyvesant Line Studio and Viewshed Stuyvesant Landing Taghkanic Hamlet Taghkanic-Claverack Line Taghkanic-Claverack Line Taghkanic-Hillsdale Line Taghkanic-Livingston Line The Academy The American Legion The Carriage Barn The Clermont The Depot The Kiwanis Bicentennial Inspiration Fountain The Lilac Walk The Locust Avenue The Lower Manor The Men of Ancram Who Served In The World War The Second Reformed Church The Stone Jug The Swallow House The Veterans Memorial Garden of Hillsdale Town Hall Clermont Town of Ancram Town of Canaan War Memorial Town of Livingston - 1788 Town of New Lebanon War Memorial Town of Taghkanic Veterans Memorial Tracy Memorial Village Hall Training Ground U.S. Hotel Uncovering the Past Union Corners Valatie Santa Claus Club Valatie World War I Monument Van Alen Homestead Van Alstyne House Veterans Memorial Veterans Memorial Vietnam Village of Philmont World War Memorial Warren Inn Washington Seminary Welcome to Lindenwald Welcome to Valatie West Gate Tollhouse Woodshed WWII Memorial “ . . . a Farmer in my native Town” “The Hill”
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
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 concise overview of the key events in 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