Hudson, New York, USA
1854 - Hudson

Hudson, a city and seat of justice of Columbia county, New York, is situated on the left bank of the Hudson river, at the head of ship navigation, and on the Hudson River railroad, 110 miles N. from New York city. Lat. 42° 14' N., Lon. 73° 46' W. It is built upon an elevation, which rises in the back ground to a height of 200 feet, called Prospect hill. In front, the bank, which is here 60 feet high, projects into the river, terminating in a bold promontory, on the brow of which is a delightful promenade, and on either side a fine bay, having a depth of water sufficient for the largest ships. Along the margin of these bays and at the foot of the promontory are the wharves, which are carried out on a line with the base of the hill. The city is for the most part regularly laid out, with streets usually intersecting each other at right angles. Near the river are extensive warehouses, stores, &c. Warren street is the principal thoroughfare and seat of business. It extends in a south easterly direction, about a mile, terminating near a fine public square. The principal public buildings are the court-house, a handsome edifice, constructed of marble and limestone, and surmounted by a dome ; 8 or 10 churches, and 2 banks. The city contains a lunatic asylum, situated on State street, facing the court house, and several seminaries of learning. The newspaper press consists of 7 publications, most of which are issued weekly. Hudson is both a commercial and a manufacturing city. Formerly it was extensively engaged in the West India trade, but of late this business has mostly given place to the whale fisheries. Its river trade is important. Great quantities of produce are also brought to its markets from the interior. It enjoys superior advantages for manufacturing, as the streams in the vicinity afford good water-power. There are in the city upwards of 70 establishments of various kinds, some of them very extensive. Hudson is well supplied with pure water from a spring at the foot of Becraft mountain, about 2 miles distant. A steam ferry crosses to Athens on the opposite side of the river. Settled in 1784, and incorporated a city in 1786. Population in 1850, 6289.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

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