Situated in the west part of town of Route 203, the scenic hamlet of Spencertown, one of four within the town, is named for the dozen or so families of Spencers who were among the first settlers who originally named the area “Spencer’s-town,” but it was renamed by Martin Van Buren, then a State Senator, as Austerlitz. One hamlet, however, retained the name honoring its first settlers. In addition to Spencertown, three other hamlets in town include Red Rock, Morehouse Corner and the hamlet of Austerlitz. The town, through which the Taconic State Parkway passes on its western side, comprises a total area of 48.8 square miles and is home to less than 2,000 residents. One of the area’s most notable residents includes Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Her former home, Steepletop, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among other historic sites in Spencertown are the Pratt Homestead, Spencertown Academy, Daniel and Clarissa Baldwin House, St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church and Spencertown Cemetery.
Situated in the west part of town of Route 203, the scenic hamlet of Spencertown, one of four within the town, is named for the dozen or so families of Spencers who were among the first settlers who originally named the area “Spencer’s-town,” but it was renamed by Martin Van Buren, then a State Senator, as Austerlitz. One hamlet, however, retained the name honoring its first settlers. In addition to Spencertown, three other hamlets in town include Red Rock, Morehouse Corner and the hamlet of Austerlitz. The town, through which the Taconic State Parkway passes on its western side, comprises a total area of 48.8 square miles and is home to less than 2,000 residents. One of the area’s most notable residents includes Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Her former home, Steepletop, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among other historic sites in Spencertown are the Pratt Homestead, Spencertown Academy, Daniel and Clarissa Baldwin House, St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church and Spencertown Cemetery.
Situated in the west part of town of Route 203, the scenic hamlet of Spencertown, one of four within the town, is named for the dozen or so families of Spencers who were among the first settlers who originally named the area “Spencer’s-town,” but it was renamed by Martin Van Buren, then a State Senator, as Austerlitz. One hamlet, however, retained the name honoring its first settlers. In addition to Spencertown, three other hamlets in town include Red Rock, Morehouse Corner and the hamlet of Austerlitz. The town, through which the Taconic State Parkway passes on its western side, comprises a total area of 48.8 square miles and is home to less than 2,000 residents. One of the area’s most notable residents includes Pulitzer-prize winning poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay. Her former home, Steepletop, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Among other historic sites in Spencertown are the Pratt Homestead, Spencertown Academy, Daniel and Clarissa Baldwin House, St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church and Spencertown Cemetery.
