Historical Marker

Civil War Memorial

Historical marker location:
Old Yates County Courthouse Grounds, Penn Yan, New York
( Memorial is at the intersection of Main Street and Court Street, on the left when traveling north on Main Street.)

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Audiobooks about the history of New York.
The first-ever recorded baseball game was played in Hoboken, New Jersey, but the modern rules of the game were established in New York City in 1845 by the New York Knickerbocker Baseball Club.
New York random facts
Yates County, located in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, has a rich and diverse history dating back to the early settlers. The area was originally inhabited by the Seneca Nation, one of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. European colonization began in the late 18th century, when the Sullivan-Clinton Expedition passed through the area during the American Revolutionary War.

In 1795, land speculator Oliver Phelps purchased a large tract of land from the Seneca Nation, known as the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. This opened up the area for settlement, and the first pioneers began to arrive in the early 19th century. The county, named after Judge Joseph C. Yates, was officially established in 1823, and Penn Yan was chosen as the county seat.

Agriculture played a major role in the development of Yates County, with crops like wheat, corn, and grapes becoming increasingly important. The region's rich soil and favorable climate made it well-suited for farming, and the early settlers took advantage of these resources. The establishment of the Crooked Lake Canal in the 1830s further facilitated the transportation of goods, boosting the local economy.

Yates County also played a significant role in the abolitionist movement, with many local residents actively participating in the fight against slavery. Notable figures such as Frederick Douglass, who lived in nearby Rochester, and Harriet Tubman, who made several stops in the area on the Underground Railroad, visited and spoke in Yates County. The region's involvement in social reform movements continued into the 20th century with the rise of the women's suffrage movement, as several well-known suffragists lived and organized in the area.

Today, Yates County is a vibrant and picturesque community, known for its beautiful lakes, vineyards, and historic sites. Visitors can explore the numerous wineries, hiking trails, and museums that showcase the county's rich history.

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

  • 1788 - Yates County is established as one of the original counties in the state of New York.
  • 1791 - The first settlements are established in the area, including the town of Penn Yan.
  • 1835 - The Erie Canal is completed, bringing increased trade and transportation to the county.
  • 1855 - The county's first railroad line, the Elmira & Williamsport Railroad, is completed.
  • 1901 - The Keuka College is founded in Keuka Park.
  • 1938 - Construction of the Keuka Lake State Park is completed.
  • 1964 - The prehistoric Native American archaeological site of Gawanagayotaha is discovered.
  • 1990 - The county celebrates its bicentennial.
  • 2010 - The population of Yates County reaches approximately 25,000 people.