Near Copake in Columbia County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Harlem Valley Rail Train
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 21, 2024
1. Harlem Valley Rail Train Marker
The Harlem Valley derives its name from "The New York and Harlem Railroad", chartered in 1831 and opened in lower Manhattan in 1832 with horse drawn cars. In 1842 the line crossed the Harlem River, and in 1873 joined the New York Central Railroad, becoming known as the Harlem Division loop. By 1852 it extended north to the Village of Chatham. In all, the line stretched 131 miles of track. What you see today while hiking and biking on this linear recreationway is a glimpse of Columbia and Dutchess Counties as thousands of paying passengers saw the countryside until a little more than two decades ago, when passenger service was discontinued by Penn Central between Dover Plains and Chatham in 1972. (Reference: The Coming of the New York and Harlem Railroad, by Louis V. Grogan, 1989.)
Erected by New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1831.
Location. 42° 4.068′ N, 73° 31.458′ W. Marker is near Copake, New York, in Columbia County. It is at the intersection of Harlem Valley Rail Trail and Under Mountain Road, on the left when traveling north on Harlem Valley Rail
this page online
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: Border Marker (approx. 1.1 miles away); Famous Prize Fight (approx. 1.3 miles away); Copake, NY War Memorial (approx. 2.8 miles away); First Town Meeting (approx. 2.9 miles away); Bash Bish Gorge And Falls (approx. 3½ miles away); Copake Iron Works (approx. 3.6 miles away); Charcoal Blast Furnace Operations (approx. 3.6 miles away); a different marker also named Copake Iron Works (approx. 3.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Copake.
Also see . . . Harlem Valley Rail Trail. (Submitted on April 21, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)
Photographed by Steve Stoessel, April 21, 2024
2. Harlem Valley Rail Train Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2024, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.
