(view on the map)

Henry Hudson was probably the first European explorer to visit the site of what is now the City of Hudson, in his ship the "Half Moon" in 1609. Mohican Indians inhabited the area then, and continued to habit the area until much later.
The Dutch arrived in the 17th Century and developed the area of Greenport and Hudson. In 1783, a group of seafaring men from Massachusetts and Rhode Island were seeking a safe harbor for their vessels because of attacks by the British Navy. When they saw Claverack Landing with its high bluffs, deep waters, and two bays, they appointed a committee which proceeded to buy large tracts of land, much more extensive than what is now Hudson.

Today, Hudson is known for its Antique Shops and Art Galleries, that draw visitors from throughout the Tri-State area and New England.

(view on the map)

With its rolling hills and farms, from fruit, dairy and angus beef, Ghent harkens back to a simplier time.

Where neighbors have know each other for generations and visitors are welcomed with open arms.

Home to the Ghent Playhouse, the Parker O'Malley Air Museum, the Hudson-Chatham Winery and the County Airport, Ghent has many things for the visitor.

(view on the map)

The Village of Chatham once acted as a hub for the three major railroads in the Northeast. The Rutland Railroad, the Boston and Albany and the New York Central.

Today, the Village of Chatham offers a retail-driven Main Street and various entertainment with the MacHaydn Theater and the Columbia County Fair.

(view on the map)

The Town of Hillsdale is located in the eastern portion of Columbia County, bordering western Massachusetts. It is approximately 2 hours north of New York City and 3 hours west of Boston.

Hills and dales are prominent throughout the Town, from which the name Hillsdale is derived. It's open spaces, rural character and scenic views, along with charming Bed and Breakfasts and Catamount Ski Area attract visitors year 'round.

(view on the map)

Austerlitz is a small, rural town along the Taconic Mountain Range. Residents enjoy the rural character, scenic vista and abundant wildlife. The hamlet of Spencertown is Austerlitz Main Street with the Town Hall, The Spencertown Academy, and a General Store.

(view on the map)

Nestled in the Northeast corner of Columbia County in the New York side of the Berkshires, New Lebanon is defined by its Shaker heritage and the famous Lebanon Springs.

(view on the map)

Valatie (pronounced Va-LAY-sha), whose name in Dutch means "Little Falls", is named after two waterfalls, from the Kinderhook Creek and the Valatie Kill.

Millville, as it was known before becoming incorporated as a village of Valatie in 1832 had a thriving Mill industry which lasted well into the 20th C.

Valatie was the home to Martin H Glynn, New York's first Roman Catholic Governor and the nations first Santa Claus club.

(view on the map)

Hedrick Hudson, while moored on the river that today bears his name, noticed the Mahican Indian children gathering on the shore, and coined the name of the Town – Kinderhook – Dutch for “Children’s Corner.”
The oldest town in Columbia County bears the mark of conservation and careful planning with many fine examples of Federal, Dutch and Gothic homes.

A visit to the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site or the Luykas Van Alen home allows the visitor to see the details of 17th C. and 18th C. living.

Fruit and dairy farms dot the town with many offering pick-your-own farm markets and tours of their farms.

(view on the map)

Philmont was incorporated in 1892. The community was also known as "Factory Hill" due to the number of wool factories.
The area was first settled by the Dutch in the mid-17th century. Like so many other mill towns in the Northeast, Philmont went through a long period of recovery as mills and textile operations moved out of the area. The exodus of manufacturers is the main reason that so much of the architectural heritage of the area still presides.

Today, Philmont is a growing village and is fast becoming a popular destination with its proximity to Hudson, New York City and the Berkshires.

(view on the map)

A small hamlet of Hillsdale and home to the Hawthorne Valley School and Farm.

(view on the map)

Canaan was founded by settlers from Canaan, Connecticut in 1759. Its beautiful rolling hills at the foot of the Berkshires offer vistas of the Catskill Mountains.

(view on the map)

The hamlet of Spencertown in the town of Austerlitz is home to the Spencertown Academy Arts Center and the Taconic Sculpture Park and Gallery.

(view on the map)

Formerly known as Kinderhook Landing, Stuyvesant became a separate township in 1823 and is bordered by the Hudson River to its west and the Town of Kinderhook at the east.

An agricultural community, several farms have been handed down through successive generations of the same family, which has left its rural character much the same as it's been for over the last 100 years.

(view on the map)

Surrounding the City of Hudson and bordered by the Hudson River to the west, Greenport is the economic center of Columbia County with many chain retail stores and dining establishments.

Fruit farms, conservation areas, and the Olana State Historic Site are available for visitors all with fantastic views of the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains.

(view on the map)

First settled in 1710 as the "East Camp" by some 1,200 Palatine refugees from the Rhineland, the District of Germantown was created in April, 1775, only weeks before the start of the American Revolution, and became a township in 1788, the year after the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

With a population of about 2,020 today it is located some 100 miles north of New York City and about 50 miles south of Albany, the state capital. Its dimensions are 8,000 acres or 12.5 square miles. Its western border is the shoreline of the Hudson River.

About 200 feet above the river, bordered by wooded hills, orchards and small farms is Germantown’s community center. Germantown’s Palatine Park, provides recreational facilities and a host of other amenities. The Town Park in northern Germantown provides river access for boaters.

(view on the map)

The Town of Clermont is a township of 11,000 acres containing farmland, country places and one hamlet, situated on the east bank of the Hudson River, immediately opposite the Catskill Mountains, at the extreme southwest corner of Columbia County.

Some towns are famous for their natural beauty and some as the birthplace of famous people, Clermont possesses both of these qualities. Its beauty of nature in its undulating hills and dales, its wooded areas near the Hudson River, and its position opposite the Catskill Mountains make it a spot of striking beauty. Most of the land is arable but there are some swamps and marshes forming small waste areas. There are small brooks and streams. The soil varies from a sandy loam to a mixture of clay and sand. The town is noted for its agricultural products and fruits - pears, apples, plums, berries, and grapes.

Home of the Livingston Mansion, now known as the Clermont State Historic Site, this site served as the home of Robert R. Livingston, Jr., one of the Committee of Five who drafted the Declaration of Independence.

(view on the map)

Copake is located in Columbia County, two hours North of New York City and three hours West of Boston.

Since 1824 neighbors and visitors delight in Copake's scenic valleys, lakes and streams, enhanced still more by the Berkshire Mountains to the East and the Catskills to the West.

(view on the map)

Claverack (Dutch for clover reach or field) originally was approximately 60,000 acres in area and was the Lower Manor region of Rensellear. Claverack became a township on March 7th, 1788 with an area of 60,000 acres by virtue of an act of the New York State Legislature. It was reduced to its' present area of 30,224 acres of rolling farmlands by the foundation of the Town of Ghent.

Among the early settlers in the township were the Palatines, who had moved inland from the Livingston Manor and their names can still be found among the Township's current residents.

Recreation in Claverack takes advantage of the beautiful outdoors with fishing in the
the Claverack and the Agawamuck Creeks or hiking at the High Falls Conservation Area which features the highest falls in Columbia County.

(view on the map)

Located just 100 miles north of New York City, we are a rural community of 1,500 residents with 39.6 square miles of uncommon natural beauty.

(view on the map)

Livingston received its name from the first lord of the manor, and is south from the center of the county, bordering on the Hudson from the town of Greenport south to Roeloff Jansen's Kill, and extending southeast along that stream to its southernmost bend, near Dutchess county line thence north along the towns of Galatin and Taghkanic to the town of Claverack on its northeast, being almost triangular in shape.

(view on the map)

The name Taghkanic originates from the Algonquin Indians and has several different interpretations, including "water enough", and "full of timber". There resides a rich history that dates back to pre-revolutionary times, when a 160,000 acre grant was given by the english king to Robert R. Livingston. The lands that Livingston acquired was called the Livingston Manor. The lands that today comprise the towns of Taghkanic and Copake were split off from the Livingston Manor in 1803, and the new town was was called Grainger. In 1824 another division split the town of Grainger into two towns, Copake to the east and Taghkanic to the West.

The name Taghkanic is now famous as a result of baskets made by locals. The Taghkanic Basket is a keepsake of yesteryear. Skillfully crafted, these baskets have withstood the test of time, by their unique design.

Recreation in the town can be found at the Lake Taghkanic State Park and the New Forge State Forest.

(view on the map)

Dotted with farms and rich with artistic entertainment, Chatham has become known for the annual Film Columbia, sponsered by the Chatham Film Club, offered in late October.

(view on the map)

Birthplace and burial site of Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States.

(view on the map)

Located between the towns of Greenport, Kinderhook and Ghent and the Hudson River to the west, Stockport, perticularly the Stockport Creek was the landing place of Henry Hudson.

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

(view on the map)

(view on the map)