Beacon in Dutchess County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Welcome to Beacon

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 8, 2020

1. Welcome to Beacon Marker

Inscription.
Named for the signal fires lit by Washington's troops atop our mountain during the American Revolution, Beacon is a city with a rich history dating back 400 years to when Henry Hudson's Half Moon anchored here in this beautiful bay. Beacon has been blessed by geography: river, creek and mountain helped shape our identity. Today we are a city in transformation ... our old factories have been repurposed for residential and commercial space, our Main Street now an exciting mix of galleries, shops and restaurants. Walk our Urban Trail System and see what makes Beacon special.
Go to: cityofbeacon.org for further information about the City and all it has to offer.
Historical Beacon The city of Beacon was created when the old villages of Matteawan and Fishkill Landing merged in 1913. Our settled community dates back to 1709, when Catheryna and Roger Brett chose this spot in all of the vast Rombout Patent to make their home. Matteawan, home of our first factory, grew up around the Brett homestead and the water power of the Fishkill Creek. Fishkill Landing became an important river port and the earliest ferry landing along

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the Hudson. In the 1920s, Beacon became known as the hat-manufacturing capital of New York. Today, Main Street's historic East End looks much the same as it did back in the 1870s.
Outdoor Beacon The city's stunning location between Mount Beacon and the Hudson begs outdoor exploration. Whether a hike to the summit of the former or a stroll along the banks of the latter, the views are unrivalled in the Hudson Valley. Three riverfront parks and an extensive network of urban and rural trails provide miles of discovery for hikers and bikers while the river affords a different perspective for all manner of watercraft.
Cultural Beacon Following the decline of the city's industrial base, cultural organizations and tourism-oriented businesses revived Beacon's fortunes. With the establishment of the internationally acclaimed Dia:Beacon museum in the former Nabisco box printing factory, and the cultural leadership provided by the much-loved Howland Cultural Center and many other small, but equally notable, galleries and music venues, Beacon is now firmly established as a major cultural hub.
Main Street Beacon Beacon's Main Street,

Photographed by Michael Herrick, January 8, 2020

2. Welcome to Beacon Marker

a mile long business district extending across the Fishkill Creek to East Main Street, is a wonderful mix of unique shops, art galleries, restaurants and cafes, and music venues. With its focus on artisanal food, beverages and crafts, Main Street is a destination for residents and visitors alike. A stroll along it, under the looming shadow of Mount Beacon, will entertain and delight all ages and tastes.

Erected by the City of Beacon and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 41° 30.099′ N, 73° 57.842′ W. Marker is in Beacon, New York, in Dutchess County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Churchill Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beacon NY 12508, 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,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the

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Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, 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 walking distance of this marker: Matteawan Train Station (a few steps from this marker); Spanish Pentecostal Church / Rothery File Factory (within shouting distance of this marker); Emergency Responders Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Howland Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Ron & Ronnie Sauers Bridge (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Roll of Honor (approx. 0.2 miles away); Home of Madam Catharyna Brett (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carmen Ramputi Marine Corps League (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beacon.

Also see . . . Beacon, New York. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on January 16, 2020, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2020, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,155 times since then and 98 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 16, 2020, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.