Westerlo

Maps

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

History

Westerlo'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

Hilltown churches formed and often merged, divided, and disbanded, so tracking churches can be a challenge. Click here for more information.

Cemeteries

Hilltown cemeteries range from tiny, hidden family plots to huge cemeteries. Click here for more information.

Schools

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.

Organizations

Hilltown organizations united residents and provided services the made life in the Hilltowns more enjoyable. Click here for more information.

Businesses

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

Hamlets and Communities

Each of the four Hilltowns covers a large area. Early settlers joined together to create small hamlets, villages, communities, and just groups of houses. 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.

The Town of Westerlo, one of four Albany County, NY Hilltowns, is on the south border of Albany County. The other Hilltowns are Berne, Knox, and Rensselaerville.

The map is a portion from a larger map of the Town of Westerlo; 1854 survey by Jay Gould of Roxbury, NY.

Geography and Demographics

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 58.5 square miles.

Maps

• Here is a current map from MapQuest.

• The Manuscripts and Special Collections unit of the New York State Library owns an extensive collection of land records covering the Rensselaerwyck Manor, an area that once included large portions of Albany and Rensselaer counties. The Rensselaerwyck Manor Papers at the NYS Library has a partial index of some of the tenants and the lots they leased. There is much more information available at the Library itself.

Click here for the full story of the 1787 survey map

Click here for the 1787 survey map of the area that is now the town of Westerlo.

Visitor attractions

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

Westerlo visitor attractions and facilities including farms, farm activities, natural reserves, trails, historic buildings and cemeteries.

Proposals for town of Westerlo, 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

Westerlo was formed in 1815 from parts of the Towns of Coeymans and Rensselaerville. It is named after Domine Eilardus Westerlo.

The Town of Westerlo Then and Now booklet was distributed in 1976 and contains information on the hamlets of Westerlo including some history and historic homes and businesses.

Historic Homes

Tell the story of each historic home, when it was built, who lived there, additions, remodeling. Organized by Lot number. Pictures may be used provided you have authority to post them.

Family History and Stories

Unlike the chapters in the proposed books on family history that will be written by individual researchers, the data in this section will be entered by anyone who knows something about the family. Within each section entries are organized alphabetically. Add links to the farms where your ancestors lived, and links to the homes they lived in. Pictures are encouraged.

Family history - Focus on the family units that lived in the town, telling where they came from, what they did while here, when and why they left, and where they went.

• Family name

Biographies - Over the past two hundred plus years countless people have made Westerlo their home. One of the best part of Helderberg Hilltowns is the ability to view and enter biographies of it's citizens from the past. Please join us in expanding this section by creating a biography that is not already written or adding to one that is already posted. Below you will find a link to biographies thus far for Westerlo. To view all Biographies for the hilltowns click on 'Biographies' on the main menu.

• Westerlo Biographies

Stories - Family stories

• Surname, first name

Genealogy - The genealogy of many early Westerlo families can be found in the Hilltowns Genealogy posted on the Berne Historical Project site. Here are additional genealogical charts organized by last name then first name:

• Surname, first name

Family Photo Albums

• Surname, First name

Organizations

Past:

• Temperance Society - Organized in School House near Chesterville in 1828; Deacon Holmes presided. NYS 143, at Westerlo.]

Present:

• Westerlo Fire Co. Volunteers - a Facebook group.]
• Westerlo Public Library

Photo Gallery

This section is for scenic photos and post cards of the Town.

• Photos of people and families should be posted on biography or family pages.
• Photos of the hamlets should be posted under the hamlets.

• 

  Westerlo School house - Courtesy Timothy j. Albright
• 

  South Westerlo Mill Dam - Courtesy Timothy j. Albright
• 

  Westerlo - Main Street - Courtesy Timothy j. Albright

Sources