Knox

Knox, one of the four Albany County, NY Hilltowns or Helderberg Hilltowns is in the northwest part of Albany County. The other Hilltowns are Berne, Westerlo, and Rensselaerville.

The population was 2,647 at the 2000 census.

Maps

Numerous maps have been found, some dating back 250 years. Click here for more information.

History

Knox's History appears in many publications. Click here for more information.

Military History

From the beginning residents of Knox have served in the military. Click here for more information.

Churches

Churches played a major role in the lives of Knox residents. Click here for more information.

Cemeteries

From 1936 through 1940 William A. Brinkman, Historian, Town of Guilderland, compiled a list of the cemeteries and family burying grounds in the Town of Knox. He missed one or two, or maybe a few. Click here for more information

Schools

Knox had 15 one-room schools before the joined the Berne-Knox-Westerlo district. Click here for more information.

Organizations

Organizations in Knox were an important part of town life. Click here for more information.

Businesses

Knox businesses thrived for generations. Click here for more information.

Hamlets and Communities

Knox has had many hamlets, but most have disappeared. Click here for more information.

Photo Gallery

Post Cards and Photos of Knox are grouped in this section. Many of the pictures appear in individual stories. Click here for more information.

External Links

External Links to other web sites can bring you to valuable sources of information. Click here for more information.External Links to other web sites can bring you to valuable sources of information. Click here for more information.

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Geography and Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 41.9 square miles.

The west town line is the border of Schoharie County, and the north town line is the border of Schenectady County.

Knox Maps

Click here for Knox Maps

Knox Visitor Attractions and Facilities

Like all of the Albany hill towns, Knox is known for its natural beauty: pastoral rural countryside, rolling hills, meandering creeks, waterfalls, forest land.

Knox visitor attractions and facilities

Proposals for town of Knox, farmers and businesses to enhance visitor experiences.

Upcoming events

Upcoming events are listed on the following pages:

Upcoming events for visitors who want to know what is coming up when they "Head for the Hills."

Upcoming Events of Special Interest to Hill Town Residents

History

The Town of Knox was established in 1822 from part of the Berne.

Early Settlement - Scoharie was settled by Palatine Refugees 1712 from what is now Germany. The earliest settlers of what is now Knox were both newer Palatine arrivals who found that the land in the Schoharie Valley was already taken, and early settlers who either could not get clear title too their land, or did not (or could not) pay the price. At that time, the wilderness land to the east in what is Knox could be had for the taking.

Settlement began before 1740. At that time it was called Helleberg (various spellings). The settlers were actually squatters, since in the 18th and most of the 19th centuries, Knox was part of the Rensselaerwyck estate. The head of the Van Rensselaer family was the Patroon who owned all the land on which the tenants in the Hudson Valley lived, and used feudal leases to maintain control of the region. Before the Revolutionary War, the patroons acted as feudal lords, with the right to make laws.

The Van Renseelaer 1787 survey map shows that occupied lots were irregularly shaped indicating they were all settled by squatters before the survey. Here is a Knox central-large web.jpg to a portion of the map. The main east west wagon road goes from Altamont to Schoharie. The wagon road to the south from the center goes to Thompson's Lake. Vacant lots are rectangular and of 120 acres each.

Farms

• Current Farms - Knox visitor attractions and facilities has a listing of current farms, farm activities, and where to buy farm products.