Water, a former highway, and changing place names give Hollowville a distinct historical profile. Hollowville Creek, the Columbia Turnpike, and the history of the town connect landscape, settlement, and transportation. If you are planning a stay, these specific connections offer a way to get to know Hollowville.

Water, Settlement, and Valley

Hollowville was settled because of the available water power. Hollowville Creek ran through the center of Smokey Hollow, now Hollowville, and provided water power for several mills and factories. This resource thus connects the reason for settlement with the history of local businesses: water was available and used to power mills and factories.

The landscape is also part of the picture. Hollowville lies in a valley surrounded by considerably high hills. Together with the creek, this offers a second perspective alongside the history of water power: the valley, hills, and stream shape the geographic description, while the use of water explains the history of settlement and industry. Those who enjoy getting to know places through the interplay of landscape and development will find a concrete starting point here.

A Road with Changing Significance

The Columbia Turnpike ran eastward through Hollowville and was once one of the most important highways from the East. Today it is known as County Route 23. Its historical significance and present-day name belong to different time periods: its role as an important highway is explicitly associated with an earlier time, while County Route 23 is its current name. This distinction makes the road a point of reference for the town’s transportation history.

Place Name and Regional History

Hollowville was formerly known as Smoky Hollow; Smokey Hollow was renamed Hollowville in 1867. The Rifenburgh Tragedy is also associated with the town’s former name: in 1844, Smokey Hollow was the setting for the tragedy that became a focal point of the Anti-Rent Wars. The place-name history and the event mark two distinct historical moments: the change to the name Hollowville and a defining year in regional history.

An 1878 account tells of Wm. Z. Holsapple, who once opened a tavern in the lower part of Hollowville in a house that still stands today. The story complements the broader themes of water use and transportation with the use of a single building.

A Seasonal Look at Local Products

Scarecrow Farm in Hollowville offers another perspective. Its seasonal offerings in 2018 included vegetables, eggs, honey, fourteen varieties of garlic, farm crafts and gifts, wool and wool products, as well as preserves. The year and season are part of this description of the offerings. If you would like to include the farm in your current travel plans, check in advance which products are currently available and whether visits are possible.

Discover more destinations: New Lebanon, Chatham, East Chatham, Copake, Hudson, Ghent

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