Page Contents for Schaghticoke, New York

Statistics & Facts

History & History-related items

Government

Historical Events

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Statistics & Facts

The New York state capital is Albany.
The population of Schaghticoke is approximately 794 (1990), 592 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 286 (1990), 242 (2010).
The amount of land area in Schaghticoke is 1.911 sq. kilometers.
The amount of surface water is 0.432 sq kilometers.
The distance from Schaghticoke to Washington DC is 333 miles.
The distance to the New York state capital is 19 miles. (as the crow flies)
Schaghticoke is positioned 42.89 degrees north of the equator and 73.58 degrees west of the prime meridian.

History & History Related Items

No one seems to remembers how important Schaghticoke has been in our country's history! Schaghticoke was settled by a group of Native Americans in the late 18th century, and was immediately siezed upon by the governor of Albany due to its crucial strategic location at the junction of the Hoosick and Hudson rivers. This was so important because the Hoosick River is the only direct waterway connection between New York and New England, or more specifically, between Albany and Bennington. It was at this time that an amazing event took place: The Peace Treaty at the Whittengout (possible spelling error), which united an unprecedented union of the Schaghticoke Indians, the Dutch, and the French. This unique treaty was signified by the historic planting of the Whittengout Oak tree on the spot (which stood preserved until the Flood of '42). Albany then sent its first group of settlers out in 1703, when the construction of the first mill began on the Tomhannock stream, and Fort Schaghticoke. In this first batch of settlers, came the infamous Knickerbockers. They first built a log cabin near the famous oak tree. By 1708, they had constructed the still-standing Knickerbocker Mansion, which would be the center of Schaghticoke's culture for years to come. For example, it is said that Washington Irving, who frequented the mansion, wrote "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" while on one such visit. The Mansion was also the receiving center of countless great politicians and royals from around the world.
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Schaghticoke City Government

Village of Schaghticoke
Box 137
Schaghticoke, NY 12154
Phone: 518-753-6100

Schaghticoke Historical Events

1780's - First American Gothic Novelist
Buttermilk Falls, Schaghticoke
The first American gothic novelist was a woman by the name of Ann Eliza Bleaker, who resided near Buttermilk Falls. Her works were posthumously published and included, amongst other things, her account of the Kittle family massacre, which occurred earlier in the century in Schaghticoke (c. 1703). Later, this material was used by her nephew, Charles Borckden Brown, who is often credited as the first American gothic novelist in her place. In any event, one thing cannot be disputed: The story of the Kittle family massacre is definitely the plot for both works. Ann Eliza Bleaker was married to John Bleaker, and both are presently buried in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Watervliet, NY.