Hudson Valley
Historic New York
Following Henry Hudson’s voyage in 1609, the Dutch in 1614 established a trading post near the future site of Albany; permanent settlement was made at Fort Orange (Albany) in 1624. Esopus (Kingston) was settled in 1653 and other villages in the next centuries.
Huge land grants begun with the Van Rensselaer patroonship and followed by the Livingston, Philipse and Van Cortlandt manors in the 17th century gave the valley an aristocratic quality. French Huguenot, German Palatine, Dutch and English farmers then came and cultivated wheat and flax. In the 1840’s tenants protested the manorial survivals in Antirent riots.
River transport was strategically important in the Revolution although the British never gained control of the Hudson. Sailing sloops and, after Robert Fulton’s “Clermont” (1807), steamboats carried passengers and freight. Poughkeepsie, Newburgh and Hudson were seaports from which, until the middle of the 19th century, whaling expeditions ventured to distant waters.
The “lordly Hudson” inspired writers like Washington Irving and the “Hudson River School” of artists, including Thomas Cole. Imposing residences and some unique structures contributed to the valley’s enchantment. Scenic beauty, natural resources, rich history and economic assets have combined to make the Hudson a great waterway.
Marker is on New York Thruway (Interstate 87) south of County Route 34, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
