What follows is a brief history of Schenectady. For a more detailed history, please visit the Schenectady County Historical Society and The History of Schenectady - a brief early history of Schenectady presented by Hope Farms Press. For a detailed map of historic Schenectady, visit the Historic Stockade Association's map of Schenectady.

If you wish to read about Schenectady during the American Revolution, visit A History of Schenectady during the Revolution by Willis T. Hanson, Jr, which contains a wealth of information about Schenectady role in the American Revolution.

• 1661 - Schenectady was founded by Arendt Van Curler.
• 1664 - England took over the colony of New Amsterdam from the Dutch.
• 1672 - Additional land was sold by the Indians to Schenectady.
• 1690 - On February 8th, the settlement was attacked by a band of French and Indians. Sixty residents were killed.




Image from New York State Forts web site.


• 1703 - Work began on Queen Anne's Fort (also known as Royal Fort). It was of triple stockage construction and located on Front, Ferry and Green Streets.
• 1735 - Destroyed by fire, Queen Anne's Fort was rebuilt into the heavily fortified Queen's Fort (made of heavy timbers set on a 10' stone wall) It was 100 square feet with 4 blockhouses (24' square base and 20' high - one in each corner) and six cannon. Also known as Corlear's Fort and in 1754 known as Fort Cosby. In 1776 it was refered to as Fort Schenectady and housed Continental Troops. It was taken down at the end of the Revoulutionary War.




Image from New York State Forts web site.


• 1765 - Schenectady receives its charter from New York.
• 1775 - On May 6th, a Committee of Correspondence, Safety and Protection was organized.
• 1775 - On May 27th, the first militia companies were formed.
• 1777 - A regiment of Continental was stationed in Schenectady.
• 1777 - Gen. George Washington visited Schenectady.
• 1777 - On August 11th, the Battle of Normanskill occured.
• 1777 - On September 19th, the Battle of Freeman's Farm (1st Battle of Saratoga) occured with the 2nd Albany participating.
• 1777 - On October 7th, the Battle of Bemis Heights occured (2nd Battle of Saratoga). The 2nd Albany was present. The British lost and surrendered.
• 1778 - On October 12th, the Defense of Ballston occured.
• 1778 - On October 19th, the Battle of Klock's Field occured.
• 1781 - Noted Tory leader Walter Butler was reputed to have been buried alongside St. George's Church.
• 1782 - Gen. George Washington visited Schenectady for a second time.