Plattsburgh
The largest city in northern New York, Plattsburgh sits on the western shores of Lake Champlain just 25 miles south of the Canadian border. 

Its museums, monuments and historic homes are a constant reminder of the role the region has played in U.S. history. A battleground through three wars, Plattsburgh is truly a community as old as America itself.

In downtown Plattsburgh, you can experience unique shops and restaurants as well as our historic City Hall.  Listed on the National Register, City Hall was designed by architect John Russell Pope, who also designed the National Archives and the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC.  Its rotunda was beautifully restored in 1985 and now features colorful murals depicting area history.  In the lobby you will discover a 2,000-pound anchor recovered from Cumberland Bay in Lake Champlain.  The 14-foot artifact belonged to British Flagship Confiance that fought in the fierce Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812.

Across the street from City Hall, on the banks of the Saranac River, is the Macdonough Monument. Built in 1926, the monument commemorates the victory over the British on September 11, 1814 in the Battle of Plattsburgh lead by Commodore Thomas Macdonough.

The First Presbyterian Church on Brinkerhoff Street, established in 1790, is the oldest church in Clinton County. While under construction, the church was used as barracks in the Battle of Plattsburgh. It burned in 1867 and was rebuilt in the 1870s. St. Johns Roman Catholic Church on Broad Street was established in 1827. A massive marble altar was ordered for the church but never arrived as it was sent from Italy by way of the Titanic.

Nowhere is this long military history better celebrated than on the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  Dating back to the early 1800s, Plattsburgh Air Force Base is the longest active military installation in the United States.  Closed in 1995, the base still affords a wonderful glimpse into the past including The Oval, a meticulously manicured lawn encompassing nearly 30 acres.  All of the 30 buildings on the perimeter of the Oval are on the National Register of Historic Places.

A great way to discover Plattsburgh is by foot or bike.  The Heritage Trail and Riverwalk Park both reveal the rich history and magnificent views of Lake Champlain.  Along the way, you will see the Champlain Monument, a gift from France in 1909 celebrating the three hundred year anniversary of Samuel de Champlain sailing into the lake that bears his name.

Click here for more information on the City of Plattsburgh.

Click here for more information on the Town of Plattsburgh.