Our tour takes us through 4 towns in the southeastern corner of Dutchess. Framed by the Fishkill and Taconic ranges, much of this area’s early history is linked to boundary disputes with New England. In the 19th c. growth was spurred by the development of rail service that now encourages tourism and commuting.

UNION VALE, measuring 38.10 sq. mi., was separated from Beekman and Freedom (now LaGrange) in 1827. Its most striking feature is the beautiful Clove, a narrow valley broken by small streams between the 2 low mountain ranges. Most residents either farm or work outside the town. Local government is currently housed in the former dairy barn of Tymor farms, now a park and nature preserve.

BEEKMAN consists of 30 sq. mi. Farms are giving way to suburban growth clustered about the centers of Poughquag, Greenhaven, Beekmanville and Clove Valley. Settled by Dutch families, it was one of the county’s original towns, established in 1788, named for Patentee Henry Beekman. Charming old farmhouses and lakes that once were ore mines pre-date the current town economy. Poughquag is the center of government and the town park and recreation center are nearby.

PAWLING, also established in 1788, encompasses 48.10 sq. mi. The Oblong or Quaker Hill was settled ca. 1730 by Quakers from New England who abolished slavery before the Revolution. In 1778 the village was Washington’s headquarters, and its countryside has lured many notables including newsmen Edward R. Murrow and Lowell Thomas, actor James Earl Jones, and the Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Hamlets include Holmes, Hurd’s Corners, Quaker Hill and Whaley Lake.

DOVER, settled in the early 1700’s and established 1807, measures 51.60 square miles and was originally part of Pawling. White marble outcroppings may have inspired its name for the white cliffs of Dover. Cattle drovers made Dover Plains a stop on the way from New England through the Harlem Valley and the discovery of iron deposits and marble beds added variety to an early agricultural economy. The population is clustered around the hamlets of Dover Plains and Wingdale.