WELCOME TO
WHITEHALL
Rich in history and natural beauty, Whitehall boasts scenic trailways and waterways, historical sites, outdoor activities and much more.
ABOUT WHITEHALL
Formerly known as Skenesborough, Whitehall takes advantage of its location by giving visitors a tremendous visual experience and quick access to Lake Champlain, one of the Northeast’s crown jewel lakes. Its strategic location on the New York-Vermont border allowed the town to become the birthplace of the US Navy.
Whitehall is best known for:
Whitehall is best known for:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF WHITEHALL
1700s
Originally known as Skenesborough, this colonial town was founded by British Army Captain Philip Skene, becoming the first settlement on Lake Champlain and a trade center. In 1776, General Philip Schuyler built a small fleet of ships here, leading to Whitehall’s modern-day claim to be the birthplace of the United States Navy.
1800s
Whitehall was a major hub for travellers heading north via steamships on Lake Champlain. Completion of the Champlain Canal in 1823 and a rail line from Saratoga in 1848 ushered in the heyday of “rail-to-steamship” travel in the region.
Today
Whitehall’s proximity to Vermont and Lake Champlain make it a bustling community, with travelers enjoying the historic buildings, like Skene Manor and the Armory. Visitors also enjoy the many recreactional opportunities along the canalway connection to the lake.
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