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

A River Highway

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 9, 2020

1. A River Highway Marker

Inscription.

A River Highway. . , For most of Clermont's history, a dock has been located along the property's Hudson River shoreline. Before the advent of railroads and highways, when passengers and freight traveled primarily by ship, the dock provided an essential connection between the Clermont estate and the Livingstons' New York City residence and business interests., Clermont's dock figured prominently in numerous historic events. The British landed there when they burned Clermont in 1777; George and Martha Washington disembarked there when they visited in 1782; and the Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving general of the Revolutionary War, put ashore there during his triumphal tour of America in 1824-25., When sailing vessels plied the Hudson, the trip between Albany and New York took between three days and two weeks depending on wind and tides. Steamboats reduced travel time to 32 hours, but were often unable to operate in the winter because of ice. The popularity of traveling by boat ended when railroad travel reduced the trip to five or six hours., Photo and Illustration Captions, left: Clermont's dock, shown in this ca. 1900 photograph, was abandoned there when in the 1930s. Many Hudson River docks fell out of use after the development of the Hudson River Railroad (1848–1851)., lower right: On August 18, 1807, Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat stopped at Clermont on its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany. Popularly known as the Clermont, the first commercially successful steamboat could travel four miles an hour against the tide. Robert R. Livingston (1765-1815), who helped design and finance the boat, was among those on board and took the opportunity to announce the engagement of his cousin, Harriet Livingston, to the boat's inventor, Robert Fulton., upper right: The Livingston family's sloops regularly sailed the length of the Hudson River and beyond. Grains, produce, and raw materials from Clermont traveled south to New York City; northbound vessels carried European manufactures and luxury goods to be used at Clermont or sold in Albany. Drawing by Montgomery Livingston, grandson of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston and a Hudson River School painter.

For most of Clermont's history, a dock has been located along the property's Hudson River shoreline. Before the advent of railroads and highways, when passengers and freight traveled primarily by ship, the dock provided an essential connection between the Clermont estate and the Livingstons' New York City residence and business interests.

Clermont's dock figured prominently in numerous historic events. The British landed there when they burned Clermont in 1777; George and Martha Washington disembarked there when they visited in 1782; and the Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving general of the Revolutionary War, put ashore there during his triumphal tour of America in 1824-25.

When sailing vessels plied the Hudson, the trip between Albany and New York took between three days and two weeks depending on wind and tides. Steamboats reduced travel time to 32 hours, but were often unable to operate in the winter because of ice. The popularity of traveling by boat ended when railroad travel reduced the trip to five or six hours.

Photo and Illustration Captions

left: Clermont's dock, shown in this ca. 1900 photograph, was abandoned there when in the 1930s. Many Hudson River docks fell out of use after the development of the Hudson River Railroad (1848–1851).

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right: On August 18, 1807, Robert Fulton's North River Steamboat stopped at Clermont on its maiden voyage from New York City to Albany. Popularly known as the Clermont, the first commercially successful steamboat could travel four miles an hour against the tide. Robert R. Livingston (1765-1815), who helped design and finance the boat, was among those on board and took the opportunity to announce the engagement of his cousin, Harriet Livingston, to the boat's inventor, Robert Fulton.

upper right: The Livingston family's sloops regularly sailed the length of the Hudson River and beyond. Grains, produce, and raw materials from Clermont traveled south to New York City; northbound vessels carried European manufactures and luxury goods to be used at Clermont or sold in Albany. Drawing by Montgomery Livingston, grandson of Chancellor Robert R. Livingston and a Hudson River School painter.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Lafayette’s Farewell Tour series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 18, 1807.

Location. 42° 5.103′ N, 73° 55.188′ W. Marker is near Germantown, New York, in Columbia County. It can be reached from Clermont Avenue 0.3 miles west of Woods Road (County Route 35). Located at

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 9, 2020

2. A River Highway Marker

Clermont State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Clermont Avenue, Germantown NY 12526, 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, 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: The Lilac Walk (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Robert R. Livingston (about 300 feet away); The Carriage Barn (about 300 feet away); A Vast Estate on the Hudson (about 500 feet away); Burned by the British (about 500 feet away); The Locust Avenue (about 600 feet away); Clermont (approx. 0.4 miles away); a different marker also named Clermont (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Germantown.

Also see . . .
1. Clermont State Historic Site. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation website entry (Submitted on May 18, 2020, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

2. Clermont - National Archives. National Register of Historic Places documentation (Submitted on January 17, 2024, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Clermont Manor from the River Side of the House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, May 9, 2020

3. Clermont Manor from the River Side of the House

Credits. This page was last revised on January 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 317 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 11, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.