Near Hudson in Columbia County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Spook Rock

— Legends & Lore —

September 18, 2016

1. Spook Rock Marker

Inscription. Beautiful Indian maiden and her lover from opposing nation rests beneath this rock. When church bell rings, rock turns over, lovers appear.

Erected 2016 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list.

Location. 42° 13.427′ N, 73° 45.456′ W. Marker is near Hudson, New York, in Columbia County. It can be reached from Spook Rock Road. Spook Rock Road (County Route 29) runs along the Claverack Creek, and runs south off of Route 23B. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hudson NY 12534, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Hudson Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically,

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it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Gen. Samuel B. Webb (approx. half a mile away); First Court House (approx. 0.8 miles away); Claverack - Greenport Line (approx. 0.9 miles away); West Gate Tollhouse (approx. 1.1 miles away); Claverack War Memorial (approx. 1.2 miles away); Washington Seminary (approx. 1.2 miles away); Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack (approx. 1.2 miles away); Safety Follows Wisdom (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hudson.

Regarding Spook Rock. There are many versions of the legend of Spook Rock. One version appears in the book, “Greenport – The Forgotten Town” (1987). The legend says that when a church bell rings the rock turns over to reveal a Native American maiden and her lover. The rock that’s described rests in Claverack Creek and has been featured on everything from calendars to postcards.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2019, by Deryn Pomeroy of Syracuse, New York. This page has been viewed 1,891 times since then and 134 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on January 23, 2019, by Deryn Pomeroy of Syracuse, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.