Historic Stockade LbNA #11862

Historic Stockade Letterbox

Clues: Easy
Terrain: All sidewalks, paved paths
Distance is about 1 mile, and will take about an hour.

“The Stockade Historic District is a year-around residential neighborhood nestled on the near north side of Schenectady, one of the oldest cities in America. The "Stockade" is renowned as an architectural treasure which boasts of the largest collection (over 40) of pre-revolutionary buildings in existence. “ (From the web site.)

Every September the stockade hosts a walkabout, so if you’re interested in seeing the inside of some of these historic buildings, you might plan your search to coincide with this attraction. To find out the dates for the walkabout and other events, see their web site: http://www.historicstockade.com/default.htm

This letterbox involves the public library. The hours are (year-round):
M-Th 9-9, Friday and Saturdays 9-5, and Sundays 1-5. Closed holidays.
Time your search accordingly!

This is my first letterbox (and first stamp!). I hope you enjoy the walk, and email to let me know the results!

Driving directions:
From Interstate 90 (East or West) take 890 (Exit 25 if heading west on 90, Exit 26 if heading east) and exit at Erie Boulevard. Follow Erie Boulevard for .5 mile through 1 light at State Street. At the 2nd light, make a right onto Liberty Street and an immediate left into a parking area. Walk to the far end of the parking area to the corner of Union Street. Cross Erie and find the markers for the stockade entrance.

Clues:
Come one, come all to the Historic Stockade
Where much of Schenectady’s history was made.
Be sure to bring your best parchment and quill
To write down clues of history remembered here still.

Begin at the main entrance --that’s Union and Erie,
Look on the back for brief facts written clearly.
Now start on the right as you pass the Van Dyck,
Reading all of the plaques for some interesting facts.

Walk past a lion (not a typical animal for this place),
Phyn & Ellice, fur traders here, never had this creature to face.
Cross N. Ferry and immediately you’ll see a historic building
Once City Hall, _________________, and Schenectady Academy.

Just ahead you’ll see Abraham (or is it Robert?)Yates’ home,
Built in 1725 in typical Dutch style, you won’t see a dome.
Next comes a church called _________________ (one of the oldest in town).
Founded in 1680, it was once burned to the ground.

Across the way you will notice the modern-day Stockade Inn.
On the corner note the man’s name who helped Schenectady begin: _________________
Walk North, pass the Church, see three flags full of cheer;
This house is one of the stockade’s first -- Hendrick Brouwer died here.

____________’s ride is not far ahead, bravery helped him make haste
Cross to the corner to see why there was no time to waste:
In the year 1690, on February the 8th and 9th, the French and Indians
Entered here where the gate used to stand, a tragedy for the settlers on hand.

Continue down Front Street, but pay no toll as you pass the doctor’s house by.
On the opposite side, discover a former railroad next to a starry blue sky.
Turn right onto ___________ and look for a place where this general once came,
Even he traveled these waters-- a local tribe gave the Mohawk River its name.

At the end of the street, find a sign pointing towards a playground and park,
Take this path along the river, enjoy the views unless it’s winter, and stark.
Stop when you find a war time object, point yourself the opposite way,
Looking for a Native American, “A Friend of Schenectady” they say. ________________

Walking in the direction of the friend’s left foot, past the Old Village house,
See an old metal fence. Thru the gate, explore those that used to live here.
Find a red stone with the year 1788, someone who hails from faraway shores:
______________,born 62 years before -- now retrace your steps to the door.

Peek at John’s house across the street & another John who built in that year.
See a yellow house with green shutters?The Widow ________ also lived here.
Cross Union St., turn right & find 2 white columns on a building with a long history,
Just past, peek at Harmanus the Wheelwright's home, then turn 180 degrees.

Heading back up the street, Truax and Ryley are the homes you’ll soon see next,
Though in the century before, this is where the _____________ used to rest.
Are you tired? Will you stop? Be at Peace -- a Westinghouse you’ll see soon.
Don’t worry -- your quest will end before you see the moon!

Now cross the boulevard that used to be a canal, famous in our state(_____),
Yet took away business from the stockade, making it only residential of late.
Walk east up Union Street to a place where history speaks from books:
Schenectady's Public Library -- turning right on a presidential street is worth a look.

Into the library, the treasure you seek is through the main door.
Once past the circulation desk, turn left towards the children’s floor.
Present to the youthful librarian the ten clues you have brought,
And at last you will receive the prize you have sought!

(To return to your car, walk back the way you came on Union Street, making a left when you get back to Erie.)