Rogers Island (New York)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Rogers Island is an island on the Hudson River, in Washington County, New York, that once formed part of the third largest city in colonial North America, and is considered the "spiritual home" of the United States Special Forces, particularly the United States Rangers[1].
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[edit] Geography
Rogers Island is located in the middle of the Hudson River, in the south-western area of Washington County, New York. It is directly opposite the town of Fort Edward, north of Albany and east of Syracuse.
[edit] History
Archaeological discoveries on Rogers Island has shown evidence for Native American hunting and fishing activities dating back approximately to 4000BC. Native Americans remained in the area until the arrival of European powers in the 18th Century.
During this period, due to its strategic location on the Hudson, Rogers Island and Fort Edward opposite became a fortress operated by the British Empire, involved in the French and Indian War (1754–1763) with invasions into northern French Canada often beginning from the area[2]. Due to the expansion required to house such large numbers of troops, Fort Edward and Rogers Island became the third largest city in North American, after New York City and Boston[3].
From 1756 to 1759, Rogers Island was used as a training ground for Major Robert Rogers, from which the Island takes it's name. Here, Rogers trained irregular fighting forces and composed his 28 ranging rules. Fort Edward and Rogers Island were evacuated in 1766 and left to ruin during the American War of Independence, though it was briefly garrisoned until 1777.
During the 1800s, the Island was used to train militia for the American Civil War, with the northern tip of the Island being inhabited by civilians. On July 6, 2001, a visitor center was opened on the island, which has now become a tourist attraction.
