Area History

The Rondout Creek is rich in history, first discovered by Henry Hudson in 1609.  According to journals from Hudson's voyage, his ship, Half Moon, anchored near the Rondout.  By the early 1800's, two sloop landings served Kingston.  One was located on the north shore of the creek and the other at Kingston Landing, now known as the Strand.

Our part of the creek is most noted for the D&H Canal, which started in Eddyville.  Our little bay was used as a turnaround point on the canal.

The Delaware & Hudson Canal was a 108 mile waterway, running from Honesdale, PA to Eddyville NY.  Mules pulled the barges filled with anthracite coal along the canal until they reached Eddyville.  From there, the coal was shipped on barges down the Hudson to New York City, or north to Canada.

The canal was conceived in 1823, began operation in 1828 and ran successfully until 1898 when the company was transitioned to a railroad company.

The D&H Canal Museum is located in High Falls, NY.

In the 1830's, the Thomas Cornell Steamboat Company was established in the Rondout.  The Rondout was famed for its deep water, making it the first safe port for ships traveling north from New York City.

Boat building was a major business on the creek until the 1950's.  Canal boats, barges and tug boats were all built on the Rondout.

The Rondout Creek continues to draw boaters today, with its deep waters and multiple types of activities.