N.Y. Revolutionary War Encampment Faces Development
By Sarah Amtower | Online Only | May 5, 2008
New York's Route 9 before development
Credit: Fishkill Historical Focus
A strip mall may take over the site of an important Revolutionary War supply depot in Fishkill, N.Y. Of the depot's 70 acres listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, 18 acres are slated for new development.
But the town, Dutchess County, and local preservation groups plan to meet next month to consider passing a building moratorium to prevent any construction on the last acres of the Fishkill Supply Depot and Encampment, located across the street from an empty mall.
"Hopefully in this meeting with the town we can accomplish something," says Dutchess County Legislator Alison MacAvery.
Modeled after a Roman encampment, the Fishkill Supply Depot functioned as the main supply camp for the Continental Army throughout most of the war. Visited by George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette, and other important figures, the depot was a rallying and assembling point. In addition to extensive barracks, a prison, a hospital, and a powder magazine, a cemetery also existed on the site. Today, the buildings are gone, and the exact location of the cemetery, where hundreds of soldiers are buried, is unknown.
The depot was central to the Continental Army's success, says Rich Goring, state archaeologist and regional historic preservation supervisor.
"Its strategic significance is linked to the strategic significance of the Hudson River," Goring says. "Communication across the river was critically important for both sides."
Two private developers currently own the depot site, but a local group called Fishkill Historical Focus is working with the town to preserve at least eight crucial acres. At a meeting next month, city and county officials and community preservationists will discuss a preservation plan.
"It is a tremendous legacy for a town to have, and many towns dream to have such an important history," says Mara Farrell, co-founder of Fishkill Historical Focus. "It's a remarkable story, and it's an untold story."
Comments
Submitted by Anonymous at: May 12, 2008
save the land at all costs
Submitted by Joe at: May 12, 2008
I find it ironic that the Town of Fishkill labels itself as "Historic", but the town has repeatedly failed to protect anything in that regard. The now defunct Dutchess Mall- only recently saved by Home Depot (and thier not doing any better) and the Hess Mart are testements to the Towns failed forward thinking in terms of preservation. Lets hope clearer heads will prevail when they meet to "consider" the moratorium and preserve what's left of Fishkill's history.
Submitted by Alexa at: May 9, 2008
The lack of interest in the preservation of our local history is astounding to me. I'm a 27 year old woman not looking forward to raising my future family amidst strip malls and chain stores. If a unique history and story exists, why erase it? Let's preserve our differences and prevent the town of Fishkill from becoming yet another Anytown, USA. Who, I ask, wants to live there?
Submitted by Tom at: May 9, 2008
It is vital that we protect our historic heritage from being paved over by developers. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Planning boards and elected officials must accept responsibility for protecting the sites within their localities. Otherwise, history will judge them accordingly!
Submitted by Tom at: May 7, 2008
This historic piece of property must not be sacrificed so that developers can make a profit. The land must be purchased and be forever a historical sight with educational programs to go with it. The Van Wych museum across the street from the land in question is also a part of the historic depot. We save the house from being demolished and now must save other pieces of the former revolutionary supply depot.
Submitted by Marty at: May 7, 2008
What is indeed sad to say is the citizenry in Fishkill have for at least 40 years done so much to save this historic site. Yet their urging the Town of Fishkill for action has fallen on deaf ears. For all those years ears lent to the developers ingnored the Town's Comprehensive Plan and the pleas of the citizenry. To add injury to insult, recent amateur archeaological work failed to properly consider the findings and recommendations of earlier studies and has brought this site to the brink of premature and unjustified extinction.
Submitted by cranky at: May 6, 2008
Mara & Co.: we're on your side. I have two direct descendants, grandfathers, who fought in Continental Army and Rev. War. Anything involved with memories of them and what they did should be preserved & is worth fighting for. It's bad enough the buildings are gone. Wake up Dutchess Co., now. Good luck, Mara.