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

Columbia County

Historic New York

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 17, 2017

1. Columbia County Marker

Inscription. Columbia County
Historic New York Columbia County, which extends from the Hudson River to the New England border. was formed in the late 18th century from parts of two 17th century land patents. Early settlers came from Holland, followed by squatters from New England and German refugees. The area was on the main route of travel between New England and the West. This is perhaps why the region was well known in the 19th century as a resort area.

The county occupies a prominent place in the cultural history of the United States. Several famous artists, including Frederick Church, lived here. Church's personal view of Persia is embodied in his house “Olana”, south of Hudson. Other important people connected with the area include Washington Irving. The Van Alen House was the home of Helen Van Alen, supposedly the Katrine Van Tassel in Irving’s Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is near Kinderhook. The Ichabod Crane School was near the Van Alen Home. Edna St. Vincent Millay lived for several years at “Steepletop” near Austerlitz. Perhaps she was thinking of the countryside around her Columbia County home when she wrote:
“All I could see from where I stood was three long mountains and a wood.”
Education Department
State of New York 1937
East Hudson Parkway Authority

Erected

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1937 by State of New York Education Department.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Historic New York State series list.

Location. 42° 15.763′ N, 73° 36.787′ W. Marker is in Ghent, New York, in Columbia County. It is on Taconic State Parkway half a mile north of New York State Route 217, on the right when traveling north. Located in the Taconic Rest Area, northbound Taconic State Parkway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ghent NY 12075, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Mohicans (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gen. Henry Knox Trail (approx. 1½ miles away); Philip Smith (approx. 1.6 miles away); Krum Church Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Krum Church (approx. 1.6 miles away); Village of Philmont World War Memorial (approx. 2.2 miles away); Downing Church (approx. 3 miles away); Meeting House (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ghent.

Also see . . .
1. Columbia County, NY. (Submitted on October 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Columbia County, New York on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)

Photographed by Michael Herrick, October 17, 2017

2. Columbia County Marker

View of Catskills from marker site image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Marc Posner, September 7, 2025

3. View of Catskills from marker site

Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 17 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 3. submitted on October 20, 2025, by Marc Posner of Somerville, Massachusetts.