Philipstown in Putnam County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The First Chain
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, January 16, 2014
1. The First Chain Marker
Planned to keep British ships from going up river, anchored on shore below, was forced by the enemy Oct. 7, 1777.
Erected 1932 by New York State Education Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Revolutionary • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is October 7, 1777.
Location. 41° 19.922′ N, 73° 57.638′ W. Marker is in Philipstown, New York, in Putnam County. It is at the intersection of Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy (New York State Route 9D) and Manitou Station Road, on the left when traveling north on Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cold Spring NY 10516, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in the Hudson Valley, and in the New York City Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, and on the 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Camp Smith (approx. 1.1 miles away); Benny Havens (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Concord Minute Man of 1776 (approx. 1.3 miles away); Union Cemetery War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Garrison Home (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Escape (approx. 1.4 miles away); Little Brown Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); The View (approx. 1.4 miles away).
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2009
2. The First Chain Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2009
3. Marker on Bear Mountain Beacon Hwy
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2009
4. Philipstown Marker
Marker is located on the east side of the Hudson River.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 10, 2009
5. Site of the Chain
The first chain spanned the Hudson River at this point. The photo was taken from the west bank of the river, near Forts Montgomery and Clinton. The Bear Mountain Bridge can be seen in the background.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, April 23, 2008
6. Links from the First Chain
These are actual links from the chain that spanned the Hudson River at this location in 1777. They are on display at nearby Fort Montgomery State Historic Site.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 10, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,308 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 16, 2014, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 10, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
