To the Editor:

National Historic Marker Day is held each year on the last Friday of April as a way for communities to celebrate, preserve and learn about history.

There are 42 Historical markers in our town. The 42nd is the oldest marker commemorating the Foundry at Hamilton. It was installed in 1927.

In the Oct. 19, 1934 issue of The Altamont Enterprise, you printed an article on the historic markers in Guilderland. Could you reprint this in the April 14, 2023 edition?

The Wemple Farm marker was repaired by Tyler Rapp of the Guilderland Highway Department after being shattered by a snowplow during a March 2017 storm and then was restored to its place on Western Turnpike on Dec. 3, 2021 by Bill Vinson and Rob Zwack.

The Case Homestead marker has been repaired by Tyler Rapp. This marker has been re-posted as of Dec. 14, 2021.

Typically, Guilderland markers are painted on a six-year cycle using Krylon Midnight Blue Spray paint and Rustoleum Sunburst Yellow.

In the past, Brian Wilson of the Guilderland Highway Department has done major work in piecing together some of these markers and then painting them the appropriate blue and golds.

Three additional markers will be installed this year under the auspices of the Guilderland Historic Society. They are as follows:

— A marker commemorating the National Historic District of McKownville, Country Club and Highlands, which has been delivered by Sewah Studios;

— A marker commemorating the Great Western Turnpike and tollgate #2; and finally

— A marker commemorating the hamlet of Fullers, which has been approved by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation and delivered from Sewah Studios.

A long-range project is the 2032 celebration of 100 years of historic markers in New York State and in Guilderland as well as a tour guide of the markers in our town in the mid 2020s.

April 28 is Historic Marker Day in New York State. The new markers will be installed with  ceremonies this spring.

John Haluska

Guilderland

The Altamont Enterprise printed this on Oct. 19, 1934:

MARKERS FOR HISTORIC SITES OF TOWN OF GUILDERLAND RECENTLY ERECTED ARE LISTED, WITH INSCRIPTIONS FOR EACH

Gregg and Brinkman, Local Historians, Play Important Part In Securing Appropriate Recognition of the Historic Spots in Guilderland Township

Through the courtesy of the State Highway Department, the markers furnished by the State Education Department were recently erected in the Town of Guilderland.

The information and the authorities for the markers were furnished by Willim Brinkman and A. B. Gregg, both of whom deserve much credit for the time and thought they have contributed in securing appropriate recognition for the historic spots in this town. Every day these beautiful markers will continue to teach our own people as well as strangers the thrilling history of earlier days in the Town of Guilderland.

Following is the list of markers with inscriptions:

— 1. Glass House. Estab. 1792 for the manufacture of glass which was widely used. Later named Hamilton after Alexander Hamilton. (Guilderland).

— 2. Farm of Evert Bancker, Third Mayor of Albany, 1605; Master Chancery, 1705; Died Here, 1734. (Farm of P. James Howenstein, Guilderland Center road).

— 3. Farm of Abraham T. Wemple, Purchased Oct. 16, 1765; Col. Schenectady Militia in American Revolution. Buried 1799 on High Knoll Above Watervliet Reservoir. (Beyond Fullers on the Western Turnpike).

— 4. Farm of Walter Vroman, Officer Schenectady Militia in American Revolution; Captured by Johnson and Brant, Oct. 23, 1780. Prisoner in Canada 2 years. (Overlooking reservoir near Sharp’s Corners).

— 5. Site of House of Dr. Jonathan Johnson, 1st Physician in Dunnsville who came here on horseback in 1808. Surgeon in War of 1812. (Dunsville).

— 6. Site of First Inn and Store Kept in Dunnsville by John E. Winale 1806 - 1830. (Dunnsville).

— 7. Site of Indian Village Neighboring Stream Called Wildehouse Kill or Indian House Creek (Back of Dunnsville hotel).

— 8. Home of Geo. Wagner, Lieutenant in American Revolution. (Home of Francis Van Wormer on Dunnsville-Altamont road).

— 9. Toll Gate 5. Schoharie and AlbanyPlank Road, 1849 - 1867. (Road going down to Bancker Hill Bridge, Guilderland Center).

— 10. French’s Mills, site of Early Saw Mill, Cloth works of Peter J. Broek, 1795; Factory of Abel French, 1800; Tavern of Jacob Aker, 1800. (French’s Mills).

— 11. Burgoyne’s Surrender, Celebrated by patriots. A hollow chestnut tree filled with tar burned. (French’s Mills).

— 12. Freeman House. Said to have been built 1734; Later home of Barent Mynderse, Lt. in war of Revolution. (Edward Crounse home, oldest in town of Guilderland).

— 13. House Built by Nicholas W. Mynderse 1802. Sold to Michael Frederick who ran it as a Tavern many years. (Home of William Frederick, Guilderland Center).

— 14. First Meeting of Town of Guilderland Held April 5, 1803 in this house. At that time a Tavern conducted by Hendrick Apple. (Fred Thalman’s house).

— 15. 100 Feet West site of First Reformed Dutch Church in Guilderland. Built Before 1767/ First Pastor Rev. Harmanns Van Huysen. (Osborn’s Corners).

— 16. On this spot stood the first Lutheran Church in town of Guilderland 1787/ Rev. Heinrich Moeller first regular pastor. (Top of hill, Altamont).

— 17. Battle of Normanskill, Fought Across the Creek between Schenectady militia and large Tory gathering. August 11, 1777. (Bancker Hill bridge).

— 18. Inn of Jacob Crounse built 1833. Midway Tavern where horses were changed on Schoharie-Albany stage coach route. (Albert Scrafford’s Old Village or Knowwersville).

— 19. Knower House. Estab. As Hat Factory about 1800 by Benj. Knower. Gov. William L. Marcy Married Cornelia Knower Here. (House of A. N. Wr).

— 20. Dr. F. Crounse built this house 1833. First Physician at West Guilderland (Altamont). Practised here sixty years. (Home of Fisher).

— 21. Severson House built by early settler Jurian Severson located on map of West Manor Rensselaeerwyck 1767. (Home of Brandle).

— 22. Old Plank Road. Schoharie to Albany followed this route. Chartered 1849. Abandoned 1867. (Corner of Bronson Place).

— 23. Old Hellebergh, land of bitter conflict between patriot and tory. Known later as West Guilderland, Knowersville and Altamont. (In Park).

— 24. Inn of Geo. Severson. Old Schoharie Road, built at close of Revolution. First post office of West Guilderland as this place was then called. (Home of F. Clickman).

— 25. Site of home of Jacob Van Aernam. From 1767 - 1805 Served as Captain in American Revolution. (Altamont-Voorheesville road).

— 26. Farm of Frederick Crounse, Officer of 3d Albany Co. Militia in Revolution. Carried food to Army, Battle of Saratoga. Buried Here. (Altamont-Voorheesville road).

— 27. About 1750 This Farm settled by Frederick Crounse, son of Polish nobleman. Owned by Crounse family ever since. 1934. (Altamont-Voorheesville road).

— 28. Tory Cave 1777. Jacob Salsbury, A spy during Burgoyne’s Invasion found refuge from settlers in a cave against the cliffs nearby. (Indian Ladder).

— 29. Town of Guilderland, Established April 4, 1803 from part of Watervliet. First Officers — Supervisor, Nicholas V. Mynderse; Town Clerk — Peter G. Veeder. (Osborn’s Corners).

— 30. Whipple Farm. Settled by Malachi Whipple of Conn. about 1793. In 1830 farm won premium as model farm in Albany County. (Altamont-Knox road).

— 31. Farm and Burial Place. John Groat, Officer 3d Regiment Albany County Militia War of Revolution. (James McMichael farm, Altamont-Dunnsville road).