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  Warrensburgh Heritage Trail

Town of Warrensburg

Town of Warrensburg

3797 Main Street
Warrensburg, NY 12885

Town of Warrensburg Website
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Prior to the American Revolution the entire region was called Charlotte County. Following independence the name was changed to Washington County, which included all of what is today Warren County.  Towns were formed. In 1788 the Town of Queensbury encompassed all of present day Warren County.  In 1792 the northern part of Queensbury was split off as Thurman and Lake Luzerne.  Little by little, the Town of Thurman gave up territory - for Bolton (1799), Chestertown (1799), Johnsburg (1805), Rochester (later Hague - 1807), and Caldwell (later Lake George - 1810).

Warrensburgh was established as a town on February 12, 1813. The first town meeting was held on April 4, 1813 at the house of Mrs. Melinda Warren.  (Mrs. Warren continued to operate the Warren House after the death of her husband, James Warren, who drowned in the Hudson River in 1811, as he was returning from an election. History relates that his ten-year-old son, Nelson, was in the boat with his father and his hair turned white as a result of the terrifying experience.)  It was not until March of 1813 that the towns of Queensbury, Lake Luzerne and all of the towns that once comprised Thurman were split off from Washington County to become Warren County.

The first supervisor was James L. Thurman.  In addition to the usual offices of town clerk, assessors and highway commissioners, constable and collector, town government included "overseers of the poor", "fence viewers", a "poundmaster" and 22 "pathmasters."

Predatory animals were a problem in the town. Bounties of varying amounts were offered for the killing of wolves, panthers, wildcats and lynxes.  Public welfare was a concern.  At the first town meeting, $50 was appropriated for the support of the less fortunate.  In the following year the amount was raised to $75 and by 1817 the sum had reached $200. 

Though roads to other communities in the county did exist in 1800, it was not until 1849 that a plank road was constructed between Warrensburgh and Caldwell (now Lake George).   The next year a plank road was built north to Chestertown.  Businessmen Pelatiah Richards, Joseph Woodward, B.P. Burhans and Thomas S. Gray were chiefly responsible for the construction of these roads, use of which required payment of a toll. 

The town continued to grow as a result of its varied manufacturing interests and from a record dated January 1, 1861, “The village contains some 700 inhabitants and has two public houses [taverns], ten stores, a tin and stone establishment, two tailors, four book and shoe stores, two saddle and harness makers, two wagon and sleigh makers, two cabinet shops, a sash and blind factory, three physicians, two lawyers, two churches (Methodist and Presbyterian), two district schools and a flourishing academy [high school].”
If you wish to speak with Town officials, call the
Town Clerk, Donna Combs, at 518-623-4561
who will put you in touch with the desired individual or official.

Officials:
Supervisor - Kevin B. Geraghty
Councilman - John S. Alexander
Councilwoman - Linda Baker Marcella
Councilwoman - Joyce M. Reed
Councilman - Bryan Rounds
Town Clerk - Donna Combs
Highway Superintendent - G. Edward Pennock

Contact us by e-mail: info@warrensburgny.us

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