Scotchtown, NY was once a small hamlet-on-a-hilltop named for its predominately Scottish residents. Today that name applies to the culturally diverse suburban development that grew over the roots of that old community. The story of Scotchtown, I think, is a compelling one. In the past 200 years, the factors that have changed American society as a whole have also altered the landscape of Scotchtown in interesting and sometimes unique ways. At the dawn of the 21st century the story of Scotchtown now goes well beyond the history of the neighborhoods earliest settlers. Families that have lived in Orange County for generations live next door to families that have recently moved in from urban areas. Here you will find that some residents work locally while others commute to New York City. A few can trace their descendents back to the earliest settlers, but today many more are immigrants from Europe or Latin America. With this Web site I hope to explore what it meant and what it means to be a resident of Scotchtown. I will not shy away from sensitive topics like slavery, crime, development, or the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. This is our history. I hope you enjoy the site.

 

Contact information

Please feel free to email me at with any questions, corrections, comments, suggestions, complaints, or whatever else is on your mind. Those of you willing to contribute traditions relating to your family or historic home are especially urged to email. I am currently searching for old photos of the Scotchtown area and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Special thanks

To my brother Nick for designing the Web site, my wife Heather for some of the photographs, Town of Wallkill Historian Dorothy Hunt-Ingrassia for her contributions to our history articles – thank you. I would also like to thank Sharon Zankel for providing an account of her time in Scotchtown and for encouraging others to participate. Mr. Leslie Post of Arizona was kind enough to send me a copy of The Centennial of the Presbyterian Church of Scotchtown which was published in 1896, and Pastor Jean Risley of the Scotchtown Presbyterian Church has graciously provided me with many interesting records related to our community.

What people are saying

"Living in Scotchtown? Planning to move there? Want to learn more about the rich history of one of the Town of Wallkill's oldest neighborhoods? You can find out by pointing your Internet browser to the neighborhood's own web site." - Times Herald-Record

"Interesting site! I love looking into the history of the place I live." - Chris P.

"Just wanted to comment on your website. I love it and hope it takes off and continues to grow and inspire a broken and separated community to get together." - Denise G.

"Great site. It's refreshing to know a little history about where we grew up." - Matt E.

"Thank you for your efforts to present a history of Scotchtown! As the town historian for a small town in Rensselaer County with a population about half that of the town of Wallkill, I assure you it is important for an area's residents to take pride in its history." - Sharon Z.

"History has lots of friends, especially when you hear what Salvatore LaBruna of Scotchtown did. He found a Bull family Bible on eBay and was persistent in winning the bid after realizing it was of local interest involving records of the Moses Bull family, circa 1811. There were all kinds of documents including handwritten birth, death and marriage records. Once the Bible was in his hands, he contacted the Bull Stone House Association to make arrangements to donate it, a generous deed that was greatly appreciated. He even created a Web site to share what he found with others. Good job!" - Barbara Bedell, Times Herald-Record

"Thank you again for the web site and all the wonderful information and maps! What a trip down memory lane..." - Suzanne J.

"My family and I moved up to the area a few years back. I wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your website. It is educational, interesting and a lot of fun to explore. I look forward to the historical additions you will be adding in the future. We love the area and enjoy reading about the rich history that surrounds us." - John I.