Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY

The four Hilltowns cover the western 40% of Albany County - 1866 Beers Map - Click on the graphic to enlarge it.

"The Helderberg Hilltowns" is a local term for the four towns, (Rensselaerville, Berne, Knox, and Westerlo,) in the hills of western Albany County, New York above the Helderberg Escarpment in the Helderberg Mountains, the northern most part of the Allegheny Plateau. We also have a page for Gallupville, a close neighbor.

"Below the hill" is a local term for the eastern half of Albany County below the Helderberg Escarpment where the "Flatlanders" live. This land is in the Hudson River Valley.

From 1790 - 1795 the four hill towns were one; all part of the newly formed Town of Rensselaerville' which covered the western portion of Watervliet in the Western Manor of Rensselaerwyck.

NOTE: Blue words are links. Click on the name of your favorite Hilltown to go directly there. Other links may be to appropriate web sites

Rensselaerville' - formed in 1790 from part of the Town of Watervliet. At that time it included all of what are now the Towns of Berne, Knox, and Westerlo. In 1795 the northern part of the town became the new Town of Berne. Additional territory was taken from the eastern part of the town upon the formation of the Town of Westerlo in 1815.
Berne - formed in 1795 from the northern part of Rensselaerville. In 1822 the northern half of the town became the new Town of Knox.
Westerlo - formed in 1815 from the western part of the Town of Coeymans and eastern part of the Town of Rensselaerville.
Knox - Knox was formed in 1822 from the northern half of Berne.

Although not officially a Helderberg Hilltown, nearby Gallupville in Schoharie County is included on the web site. Many families have branches in Gallupville

Helderberg Hilltowns - an illustrated history is available now. Visit www.BeebeFarm.info to order signed copies with a dedication of your choice. See Pictures tell the stories of the four Helderberg Hilltowns from the July 12, 2012 Altamont Enterprise.

Town sites have many links to local histories. Other reference books cover the entire Hilltowns. Click here for more information.

Hilltowns had numerous one-room schools scattered to be near population centers. school. In 1932 Berne and Knox joined the form the Berne-Knox Central School District. Westerlo joined later the make the Berne-Knox-Westerlo or BKW. Click here for more information.