Kinderhook is the most populous town in Columbia County. It is comprised of two villages, Kinderhook Village and Valatie and the hamlet of Niverville. Henry Hudson, while moored on the Hudson River noticed the native children on the shores and coined the name “Kinderhook”, Dutch for Children’s Corner. The area was settled as early as 1651 and the town was established in 1788. President Martin Van Buren was born and retired in Kinderhook. His retirement home, Lindenwald is one of the attractions that can be toured. Washington Irving was a frequent visitor and it is said that he received much inspiration for his Legend of Sleepy Hollow during these stays. There are many other historic sites and buildings, among them, the Van Alen House, a 1737 Dutch farmhouse, now a museum and the James Vanderpoel House, an 1819 Federal Period Mansion. Kinderhook Lake is a popular recreation area.
One interesting bit of trivia is that Kinderhook may be the source for the expression, O.K. In the 1700’s apples from the area were packed in crates marked “Old Kinderhook”. They became referred to as O.K. apples. Gradually, O.K. became to be a description of the apples’ good quality. Martin van Buren was known as Old Kinderhook or O.K. During his 1840 election campaign the cry “O.K.” indicated enthusiasm for Old Kinderhook and eventually it became to be understood as a formula of approval.
Either way, anyone who visits or lives in Kinderhook believes it to be very O.K.
Kinderhook is the most populous town in Columbia County. It is comprised of two villages, Kinderhook Village and Valatie and the hamlet of Niverville. Henry Hudson, while moored on the Hudson River noticed the native children on the shores and coined the name “Kinderhook”, Dutch for Children’s Corner. The area was settled as early as 1651 and the town was established in 1788. President Martin Van Buren was born and retired in Kinderhook. His retirement home, Lindenwald is one of the attractions that can be toured. Washington Irving was a frequent visitor and it is said that he received much inspiration for his Legend of Sleepy Hollow during these stays. There are many other historic sites and buildings, among them, the Van Alen House, a 1737 Dutch farmhouse, now a museum and the James Vanderpoel House, an 1819 Federal Period Mansion. Kinderhook Lake is a popular recreation area.
One interesting bit of trivia is that Kinderhook may be the source for the expression, O.K. In the 1700’s apples from the area were packed in crates marked “Old Kinderhook”. They became referred to as O.K. apples. Gradually, O.K. became to be a description of the apples’ good quality. Martin van Buren was known as Old Kinderhook or O.K. During his 1840 election campaign the cry “O.K.” indicated enthusiasm for Old Kinderhook and eventually it became to be understood as a formula of approval.
Either way, anyone who visits or lives in Kinderhook believes it to be very O.K.
Kinderhook is the most populous town in Columbia County. It is comprised of two villages, Kinderhook Village and Valatie and the hamlet of Niverville. Henry Hudson, while moored on the Hudson River noticed the native children on the shores and coined the name “Kinderhook”, Dutch for Children’s Corner. The area was settled as early as 1651 and the town was established in 1788. President Martin Van Buren was born and retired in Kinderhook. His retirement home, Lindenwald is one of the attractions that can be toured. Washington Irving was a frequent visitor and it is said that he received much inspiration for his Legend of Sleepy Hollow during these stays. There are many other historic sites and buildings, among them, the Van Alen House, a 1737 Dutch farmhouse, now a museum and the James Vanderpoel House, an 1819 Federal Period Mansion. Kinderhook Lake is a popular recreation area.
One interesting bit of trivia is that Kinderhook may be the source for the expression, O.K. In the 1700’s apples from the area were packed in crates marked “Old Kinderhook”. They became referred to as O.K. apples. Gradually, O.K. became to be a description of the apples’ good quality. Martin van Buren was known as Old Kinderhook or O.K. During his 1840 election campaign the cry “O.K.” indicated enthusiasm for Old Kinderhook and eventually it became to be understood as a formula of approval.
Either way, anyone who visits or lives in Kinderhook believes it to be very O.K.
