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

The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company

400 Years of History

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2019

1. The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company Marker

Inscription. Whale oil was widely used in lamps during the early 1800s. The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company, formed in 1831, was one of several ocean-going fleets operating along the Hudson. It closed in 1843 when using kerosene in lamps increased.

Background image courtesy Library of Congress.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.

Location. 41° 42.632′ N, 73° 56.227′ W. Marker is in Poughkeepsie, New York, in Dutchess County. Marker can be reached from Parker Avenue (New York State Route 9G) ¼ mile east of Washington Street (New York State Route 9G), on the left when traveling east. Marker is mounted at knee-level on the south railing of the old Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, about 6/10 mile west of the Parker Avenue parking lot for Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 49 Parker Avenue, Poughkeepsie NY 12601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge: Eastern Overland Approach (within shouting distance of this marker); North River Steamboat of Clermont (within shouting distance of this marker); Poughkeepsie's Little Italy (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Steamboat & Ferry Landing (about 300 feet away); Catskill Mountains (about 400 feet away); Mid-Hudson Bridge (about 500 feet away); Poughkeepsie's Waterfront (about 500 feet away); The Hudson River Day Line (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Poughkeepsie.

More about this marker. Originally built in 1889, today the repurposed Poughkeepsie Highland Railroad Bridge carries a scenic pedestrian walkway over the Hudson River.

Also see . . . During the 19th century, Poughkeepsie had a thriving whaling industry. Poughkeepsie competed with well-known whaling operations in major ports such as New Bedford, Massachusetts and ships departed from the Dutchess County waterfront in pursuit of whale oil. The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company was founded to manufacture whale oil and candles; oil was manufactured in a factory built for that specific purpose. (Submitted on February 6, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company Marker<br>(<i>looking southwest • Hudson River in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 30, 2019

2. The Poughkeepsie Whaling Company Marker
(looking southwest • Hudson River in background)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 283 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.