History of Dutchess County, New York, USA

Dutchess, a county in the E. S. E. part of New York, has an area of about 816 square miles. It is bounded on the E. by the State of Connecticut, and on the W. by the Hudson river. It is drained by Wappinger's creek, Fishkill river, and other smaller streams, which turn numerous mills. The surface is uneven, and in the eastern and western parts hilly. The soil is generally fertile and under good cultivation, although a large portion is better adapted to grazing than grain. Indian corn, oats, potatoes, and grass are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 782,605 bushels of corn, (the greatest quantity produced by any county in the state;) 1,006,117 of oats, (also the greatest yield of any county in the state;) 885,941 of potatoes; 97,832 tons of hay, and 1,760.086 pounds of butter. There were 69 flour mills, 6 furnaces, 6 iron foundries, 11 cotton and 9 woollen factories. It contained 124 churches and 6 newspaper offices ; 13,433 pupils attending public schools, and 987 attending...

Dutch’ess, a southeastern county of New York, bordering on Connecticut, has an area of about 853 square miles. It is bounded on the W. by the Hudson River, and is drained by Fishkill River and Wappinger's Creek. The surface is partly a hilly upland, with some deep ravines, and the Taghanic Mountains extend along its eastern border. The soil is generally fertile and adapted to grazing, hay, oats, Indian corn, cattle, butter, and potatoes are the staple products. This county supplies large quantities of milk to the market of New York. It is intersected by 4 railroads, —the New York Central & Hudson River, the West Shore, the New York & Massachusetts, and the Central New Eng land & Western, all of which pass through Poughkeepsie, the capital of the county. Silurian slate crops out in this county, which has some metamorphic limestone or marble. Among the forest trees are the oak, chestnut, hickory, elm, and beech. Pop. in 1870, 74,041; in 1875, 76,056; in 1880, 79,184; in 1890, 77,879.

1. Walkway Over the Hudson: Start your visit with a stroll or bike ride on the Walkway Over the Hudson. This converted railway bridge spans the Hudson River, providing breathtaking views of the river, surrounding landscapes, and the nearby city of Poughkeepsie.

2. Dia Beacon: If you're a fan of contemporary art, don't miss the Dia Beacon. This museum features a remarkable collection of art from the 1960s to the present day, housed in a beautifully restored industrial building. It's an excellent place to spend a few hours immersed in thought-provoking art.

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum: History buffs will appreciate a visit to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum. Learn about the life and times of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his significant contributions during the Great Depression and World War II. The beautiful grounds and rose garden are also worth exploring.

4. Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Explore the grandeur of the...