Highland in Ulster County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Highland Landing
Hudson Riverfront Reinvented By The Past, Present, And Future
— Greater Walkway Experience —
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, March 1, 2020
1. Highland Landing Marker
Inscription.
Highland Landing. Hudson Riverfront Reinvented By The Past, Present, And Future. If you were standing on this spot nearly 250 years ago, you may have been the target of British warships making their way up the Hudson to reinforce General Burgoyne in the Battles of Saratoga. Setting colonists' property on fire with hot cannonballs, the Brits fortunately missed the home of Anthony Yelverton. It now stands as the oldest wooden structure in Ulster County. Yelverton was both a practical man and an opportunist. A son of Poughkeepsie, he built his house into the hillside partly from the timbers of an old boat. In need of bricks, he started a brickyard. When more settlers arrived, he converted his ground floor into a tavern and store. In order to get across the river, he created a ferry service using slaves to man the oars., Entrepreneurship has long been a hallmark of the waterfront. Wharves, warehouses, icehouses, coal and lumber depots, and a foundry have all thrived here. But times changed in the 1880s. The West Shore Railroad, with its right of way, cleared many of the buildings. Fires ravaged most of the rest. The hamlet of Highland shifted the economic activity and population up the hill as the Hudson River shoreline gradually deteriorated into an industrial echo. Decades after the Mid-Hudson Bridge rendered ferry service obsolete in 1941, the waterfront became more valued for its scenic beauty and recreation. Dedicated residents have helped the Town create Bob Shepard Highland Landing Park where a boat launch and deep-water dock encourage access to the Hudson. But vestiges of the Revolutionary War remain: those British cannon balls continue to be dug up along the riverside. They're on display at the Town Hall in Highland., Photos: , A circa 1900 postcard showing passengers from the West Shore Railroad waiting for the ferry to Poughkeepsie. NY, Construction of the "engineering marvel of its time," the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, before its opening on January 1st, 1899.
If you were standing on this spot nearly 250 years ago, you may have been the target of
British warships making their way up the Hudson to reinforce General Burgoyne in the
Battles of Saratoga. Setting colonists' property on fire with hot cannonballs, the Brits
fortunately missed the home of Anthony Yelverton. It now stands as the oldest wooden
structure in Ulster County. Yelverton was both a practical man and an opportunist.
A son of Poughkeepsie, he built his house into the hillside partly from the
timbers of an old boat. In need of bricks, he started a brickyard.
When more settlers arrived, he converted his ground floor into
a tavern and store. In order to get across the river,
he created a ferry service using slaves to man
the oars.
Entrepreneurship has long been a hallmark of the waterfront. Wharves, warehouses,
icehouses, coal and lumber depots, and a foundry have all thrived here. But times
changed in the 1880s. The West Shore Railroad, with its right of way, cleared many of
the buildings. Fires ravaged most of the rest. The hamlet of Highland shifted the economic
activity and population up the hill as the Hudson River shoreline gradually deteriorated
into an industrial echo. Decades after the Mid-Hudson Bridge rendered ferry service
obsolete in 1941, the waterfront became more valued for its scenic beauty
Click or scan to see this page online
and
recreation. Dedicated residents have helped the Town create Bob Shepard Highland
Landing Park where a boat launch and deep-water dock encourage access to the Hudson.
But vestiges of the Revolutionary War remain: those British cannon balls continue to
be dug up along the riverside. They're on display at the Town Hall in Highland.
Photos: A circa 1900 postcard showing passengers from
the West Shore Railroad waiting for the ferry to
Poughkeepsie.
NY
Construction of the "engineering marvel of its time,"
the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge, before its
opening on January 1st, 1899.
Location. 41° 43.009′ N, 73° 57.006′ W. Marker is in Highland, New York, in Ulster County. Marker is at the intersection of River Road and Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling east on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Highland NY 12528, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named Highland Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Highland Landing (approx. 0.3 miles away); Poughkeepsie Regatta
Credits. This page was last revised on March 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.