COLUMBIA COUNTY, NY
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      • ANCRAM
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      • KINDERHOOK >
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The History of Columbia County

The first exploration of the territory was most likely that of Hendrick Hudson who in 1609 sailed across the Atlantic and up the river which now bears his name. An accident to his craft forced him to stop and come ashore to visit the area. The native inhabitants of the region were the Mohican Indians. A lively trade was established by 1612 and early settlers began to colonize various regions. The establishments of Fort Orange and New Amsterdam in 1624 allowed traders and travelers to frequently stopped along the shores of Columbia. Small settlements sprang up to supply goods to these ships. 

Fort Orange was eventually renamed Albany. Ultimately by an act passed on March 24, 1772 the region now known as Columbia County was divided and formed into various districts from a portion of Albany county. These districts consisted of Kinderhook in the northwest, King's in the northeast, Claverack in the central portion , and Livingston Manor in the southern. The Germantown district was formed from part of Livingston manor on April 1, 1775 and the Hillsdale district was taken from Claverack on March 26, 1782.

The City of Hudson was incorporated April 22, 1785 to included territory within the boundaries of the Stockport Creek on the north, The Claverack Creek on the east, The north line of the manor of Livingston on the south, and the Hudson River on the west.

​These districts were all formed before the organization of Columbia County which was erected by act of legislature, passed April 4, 1786. Seven original towns consisting of Kinderhook, Canaan, Claverack, Hillsdale, Clermont, Germantown and Livingston were erected by an act passed March 7, 1788. Additional towns were formed and erected at various times during the late 1700's and early 1800's increasing the total to 18.
  • Home
  • Your Government
    • Board of Supervisors
    • Calendar
    • County Financials & Reports
    • Committees
    • CTASC
    • Departments A-Z >
      • Department Contact Information
      • Accounts Payable
      • Board of Elections
      • Board of Ethics
      • Board of Supervisors
      • Central Services
      • Civil Service
      • Controller / Auditor
      • Coroner
      • County Attorney
      • County Clerk / DMV
      • Department of Social Services
      • District Attorney
      • Emergency Services >
        • County 911 / Communications
        • Emergency Management
        • EMS Coordinator
        • FireCoordinator
      • Engineering
      • Facilities
      • Fair Housing
      • Health Department
      • Highway Department
      • Historian
      • Human Resources
      • Human Services / Mental Health Center
      • Managed Information Systems
      • Office for the Aging
      • Payroll
      • Planning >
        • Environmental Management Council
      • Probation
      • Public Defender
      • Real Property Tax Service Agency
      • Sheriffs Office
      • Soil & Water
      • Solid Waste
      • Stop DWI
      • Treasurer
      • Tourism
      • Veterans
      • Weights & Measures
      • Youth Bureau
    • Election Results
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Hours & Holiday Closings
  • County Services
    • Agriculture & Farmland Protection Board
    • Columbia Economic Development Corporation
    • Cornell Cooperative Extension
    • Emergency Medical Services
  • Our Community
    • 2020 New York Municipal Guide
    • Assessment Records
    • Chamber of Commerce
    • Colleges
    • Columbia Greene Workforce Investment Board
    • Community Events
    • Courts
    • Current Weather
    • Environmental Management Council
    • History
    • Law Enforcement
    • License Plates
    • Libraries
    • Local News
    • Outside Agencies
    • Public Records
    • Register to Vote
    • Schools
    • School Closings and Delays
    • State Agencies
    • Tourism
    • Town Links >
      • ANCRAM
      • AUSTERLITZ
      • CANAAN
      • CHATHAM >
        • Town of Chatham
        • Village of Chatham
      • CLAVERACK >
        • Village of Philmont
      • CLERMONT
      • COPAKE
      • GALLATIN
      • GERMANTOWN
      • GHENT
      • GREENPORT
      • HILLSDALE
      • CITY OF HUDSON
      • KINDERHOOK >
        • Village of Kinderhook
        • Village of Valatie
      • LIVINGSTON
      • NEW LEBANON
      • STOCKPORT
      • STUYVESANT
      • TAGHKANIC
  • Public Notices & Request for Proposals (RFP)
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Public Transportation
  • Translate Website