Putnam Valley is located in the center of Putnam County. It was known as Quincy until shortly after separating from Philipstown in 1839.

 

Putnam Valley encompasses two valleys or hallows. Peekskill Hollow is on the eastern side. Canopus Hollow is on the west. Each runs the entire length of the valley and each is surrounded by very rugged hills and mountains

 

Peekskill Hollow follows the Peekskill Hollow Creek which flows south along the Peekskill Valley. It originates at Lake Tibet in the Town of Carmel and flows south along the eastern portion of the Valley. It eventually empties into the Hudson River at Annsville Creek.

 

Canopus Creek follows the Canopus Hallow through the Western portion of Putnam Valley. It starts at Canopus Lake in Clarence Fahnestock State Park, in the upper portion of the Valley. It too empties into the Hudson River at Annsville Creek.

 

The first know settlers to Putnam Valley were Thomas Bryant and Peter Barger. Each settled in an area just west of the Taconic State Parkway and named ponds after themselves.

 

In the late 1800´s, Lake Oscawana became a popular middle class resort for people from New York City. It is located on the western side of the Taconic State Parkway, just south of Clarence Fahnestock State Park. Many boarding houses, inns, and camps were built in the area surrounding the lake.

 

People would come by train to Peekskill, take the trolley or stage coach to Oregon Corners; then take a stage coach to Lake Oscawana. Many of the summer homes that surround the lake have been replaced by elegant year round residences.

 

The Cimarron Dude Ranch was a popular resort in the Canopus Valley. During the 1940´s and 1950´s, the more affluent local residents and many people from New York City, visited the ranch to enjoy horse back riding and other western style entertainment.

 

Lake Peekskill, in the lower portion of the Valley is a man made lake. It was developed by the McGolrick Real Estate Company in 1921. It too was a popular summer resort that is now a year round community for the middle class.

 

The three Lane Taconic State Parkway is now a major commuter highway. When it was first build in 1931, it was a 42´ wide scenic highway from New York City. At the time, it was meant for recreational driving; not the high speed travel of today.

 

The Mountainous terrain of Peekskill and Oscawana Hallow has impacted the development of sections of Putnam Valley. Even with modern modes of transportation, many areas of the Valley are still served by dirt roads and that are barely accessible. People living there enjoy the peaceful serenity of an uninhabited area, with hills and mountains surrounding them, a babbling stream running close to their home, and wild animals roaming freely through their yard.

 

I´ve lived and worked in the Hudson Valley for most of my adult life. I know the area very well. Contact me if you would like to find a great home, or sell your present home, in Putnam Valley, or other areas of the Hudson Valley.