The organic development of hamlets is particular to the mid-Hudson region. By contrast, early New England towns were settled by a homogenous group that organized a central green with "the" church, and roads radiated out in a planned fashion. Locally, hamlet's emerged by the early 19th century usually at a stream that accommodated mills, and a core set of skills and services like blacksmithing, and a post office. Towns like Clinton and Milan never developed a town center. An important part of Dutchess County worthy of preservation, in addition to the Great Estates, in addition to the greater number of smaller buildings, is the underlying landscape unique to the area.
DCHS Trustee David Turner pulls from his expansive collection to feature views into our past. Each post made during the month of May 2022, historic preservation month, will be curated here. Below you will find a report from our 1919 Yearbook, it is a list of early hamlets, many of which do not exist today.
Hover over image for description, click to enlarge:


