Newburgh History
Washington’s Headquarters & the Birth of the Republic
From April 1782 to late 1783, Newburgh served as the headquarters of the Continental Army during the closing years of the American Revolution. General George Washington made his residence at the Hasbrouck House on Kings Highway.
While stationed here, Washington defused the Newburgh Conspiracy, a plot by discontented officers who threatened to overthrow the government. It was also in Newburgh that he received the now-famous Newburgh Letter from Colonel Lewis Nicola, suggesting Washington become king.
Washington firmly rejected the idea, reaffirming his commitment to democratic principles. This act of restraint marked Newburgh as the birthplace of the American Republic. In tribute to his refusal of the crown, Kings Highway was renamed Liberty Street.
Early Settlement of Newburgh
The City of Newburgh stands on the west bank of the Hudson River, on lands once inhabited by the Waoranek people, a group within the Lenape tribe of the Algonquin nation.
In 1609, English explorer Henry Hudson, sailing for the Dutch aboard the Half Moon, became the first European to navigate the river as far north as Newburgh. His first mate noted in the ship’s log that the area was “a pleasant place to build a town.”
A century later, in 1709, German Lutheran settlers from the Rhenish Palatinate established the first European community here, naming it Palatine Parish by Quassaick.
By 1750, settlers of English and Scottish descent had become the majority and renamed the settlement the Parish of Newburgh.
A Growing City and Industrial Power
Newburgh was incorporated as a village in 1800 and later as a city in 1865.
Its ideal location—midway between New York City and Albany, with a naturally deep Hudson River port—made Newburgh a thriving center of shipping, transportation, and industry.
Throughout the 19th century, shipyards, foundries, and tanneries lined the waterfront. Local factories produced cotton, wool, silk, paper, felt hats, soap, brick, baking powder, steam boilers, automobiles, coin silver, ice machines, moving picture screens, and lawn mowers.
This flourishing economy, paired with the natural beauty of the Hudson Highlands, inspired an extraordinary era of art and architecture that left a lasting national influence
From Industry to Preservation
As the 20th century began, Newburgh was at its peak, home to more than 100 manufacturing plants and serving as a major retail center for the entire Hudson Valley.
The city also thrived as a recreational hub—with speed skating, ice boating, yachting, rowing clubs, baseball leagues, casinos, dance halls, picnic groves, amusement parks, and river excursion steamers drawing visitors and residents alike.
By 1950, Newburgh’s population reached a historic high of 32,000. The opening of the New York State Thruway, Interstate 84, and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge firmly placed the city on the map, spurring suburban growth in surrounding towns.
In the decades that followed, urban renewal and economic decline reshaped the inner city, but dedicated local preservationists stepped forward. In the 1970s, volunteers documented over 4,000 historic buildings in the East End, leading to its designation as a National Historic District in 1973.
Today, the diversity of Newburgh’s architecture is mirrored by the diversity of its people—a community continually reinventing the fortunes of this storied river city.
A Century of Change
1900s – A Thriving City
At the turn of the 20th century, Newburgh was booming with over 100 factories and served as a retail hub for the Hudson Valley. The city was alive with recreation—ice boating, rowing, baseball, dance halls, and river excursions.
1950 – Peak Population
Newburgh reached its highest population of 32,000. The opening of the Thruway, Interstate 84, and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge connected the city to regional commerce and suburban growth.
1970s – Preservation Movement
After years of decline and urban renewal, volunteers documented 4,000 historic buildings, leading to the East End Historic District designation in 1973.
Today – A Living Legacy
Newburgh’s architectural diversity and resilient community continue to revitalize this historic river city.