Amsterdam in Montgomery County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Kirk Douglas
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2019
1. Kirk Douglas Marker
Erected 2018 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation. (Marker Number 477.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 9, 1916.
Location. 42° 55.886′ N, 74° 10.807′ W. Marker is in Amsterdam, New York, in Montgomery County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (New York State Route 5) and Eagle Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk, near the southwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Amsterdam NY 12010, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Old Manny Inn (approx. 0.4 miles away); Green Hill Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); "Mother Lake" (approx. half a mile away); Sanford Mansion (approx. 0.7 miles away); Chuctanunda Terrace Site (approx. ¾ mile away); Donato (Dan) Persico, Chief T/M (approx. 0.9 miles away); 5th Ward War Memorial
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Kirk Douglas (Wikipedia). Douglas was born Issur Danielovitch, in Amsterdam, New York, the son of Bryna and Herschel Danielovitch. His parents were Jewish emigrants from Chavusy, Mogilev Region, in the Russian Empire (present-day Belarus). In his 1988 autobiography, The Ragman's Son, Douglas notes the hardships that he, along with six sisters and his parents, endured during their early years:
“My father, who had been a horse trader in Russia, got himself a horse and a small wagon, and became a ragman, buying old rags, pieces of metal, and junk for pennies, nickels, and dimes. Even on Eagle Street, in the poorest section of town, where all the families were struggling, the ragman was on the lowest rung on the ladder. And I was the ragman's son.” (Submitted on August 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Kirk Douglas Biography. Although growing up in a poor ghetto, Douglas was a fine student and a keen athlete and wrestled competitively during his time at St. Lawrence University. However,
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2019
2. Kirk Douglas Marker
(wide view looking northwest • Main Street in background)
(wide view looking northwest • Main Street in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2019
3. Kirk Douglas' Childhood House (located on Eagle Street, 1/10 mile south of marker)
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, February 8, 2019
4. Kirk Douglas Marker
The marker was announced in Jan. 2019. It took 6 months for the marker to be placed on Main Street (It still hadn't been displayed as of August 12th). The actual house is at the end of Eagle Street. It is difficult to turn around, so I suggest walking down to house.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 810 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on August 19, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
