Rogers Island (New York)
Encyclopedia
Rogers Island is an island on the Hudson River
, in Washington County
, New York, that once formed part of the third largest city
in colonial North America, and is considered the "spiritual home" of the United States Special Operations Forces
, particularly the United States Army Rangers
.
, which itself is part of the Town of Fort Edward
, and located in Washington County, New York
, north of Albany
and east of Syracuse
.
hunting and fishing activities dating back approximately to 4000BC. Native Americans remained in the area until the arrival of European powers
in the 18th century
. The archaeological site
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on 1973.
During this period, due to its strategic location on the Hudson, Rogers Island and Fort Edward opposite became a fortress operated by the British Empire
, involved in the French and Indian War
(1754–1763) with invasions into northern French Canada
often beginning from the area. Due to the expansion required to house such large numbers of troops, Fort Edward and Rogers Island became the third largest city in North American, after New York City
and Boston.
From 1756 to 1759, Rogers Island was used as a training ground for Major Robert Rogers
, from which the Island takes its name. Here, Rogers trained irregular fighting forces and composed his 28 ranging rules. Fort Edward and Rogers Island were evacuated in 1766 and left to ruin during the American War of Independence, though it was briefly garrisoned until 1777.
During the 1800s, the Island was used to train militia for the American Civil War
, with the northern tip of the Island being inhabited by civilians. On July 6, 2001, a visitor center was opened on the island, which has now become a tourist attraction.
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, in Washington County
Washington County, New York
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, New York, that once formed part of the third largest city
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in colonial North America, and is considered the "spiritual home" of the United States Special Operations Forces
United States Special Operations Forces
United States Special Operations Forces under United States Special Operations Command are active and reserve component forces of U.S. Military...
, particularly the United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
.
Geography
Rogers Island is located in the middle of the Hudson River, in the south-western area of Washington County, New York. It is a part of the Village of Fort EdwardFort Edward (village), New York
Fort Edward is a village in Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village population was 3,141 at the 2000 census...
, which itself is part of the Town of Fort Edward
Fort Edward (town), New York
Fort Edward is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 5,892 at the 2000 census....
, and located in Washington County, New York
Washington County, New York
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, north of Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
and east of Syracuse
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
.
History
Archaeological discoveries on Rogers Island have shown evidence for Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
hunting and fishing activities dating back approximately to 4000BC. Native Americans remained in the area until the arrival of European powers
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in the 18th century
18th century
The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar.During the 18th century, the Enlightenment culminated in the French and American revolutions. Philosophy and science increased in prominence. Philosophers were dreaming about a better age without the Christian fundamentalism of...
. The archaeological site
Archaeological site
An archaeological site is a place in which evidence of past activity is preserved , and which has been, or may be, investigated using the discipline of archaeology and represents a part of the archaeological record.Beyond this, the definition and geographical extent of a 'site' can vary widely,...
was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on 1973.
During this period, due to its strategic location on the Hudson, Rogers Island and Fort Edward opposite became a fortress operated by the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, involved in the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
(1754–1763) with invasions into northern French Canada
French Canada
French Canada, also known as "Lower Canada", is a term to distinguish the French Canadian population of Canada from English Canada.-Definition:...
often beginning from the area. Due to the expansion required to house such large numbers of troops, Fort Edward and Rogers Island became the third largest city in North American, after New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and Boston.
From 1756 to 1759, Rogers Island was used as a training ground for Major Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers
Robert Rogers may refer to:*Robert Rogers , 18th century American colonial officer, explorer and playwright*Robert Rogers , Canadian politician...
, from which the Island takes its name. Here, Rogers trained irregular fighting forces and composed his 28 ranging rules. Fort Edward and Rogers Island were evacuated in 1766 and left to ruin during the American War of Independence, though it was briefly garrisoned until 1777.
During the 1800s, the Island was used to train militia for the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, with the northern tip of the Island being inhabited by civilians. On July 6, 2001, a visitor center was opened on the island, which has now become a tourist attraction.
See also
- Fort Edward (town), New YorkFort Edward (town), New YorkFort Edward is a town in and the county seat of Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 5,892 at the 2000 census....
- United States Army RangersUnited States Army RangersUnited States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
- Robert Rogers' 28 "Rules of Ranging"