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Hell’s Acres in the Taconic Mountains

February 1, 2023 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

a new york minute in history podcastIn this episode of A New York Minute In History Podcast, State Historian Devin Lander and Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts tell the story of Boston Corners, also known as Hell’s Acres, which once belonged to Massachusetts, but was ceded to New York State by an act of Congress in 1855.

The area, now part of the Town of Ancram, Columbia County, was remote in the mid-19th century and hard to access from Massachusetts, while New York officials had no jurisdiction there. As a result, it became a haven for illegal activity, including an illegal boxing match in 1853 that drew an estimated 3,000-5,000 spectators to an area with a population of 61.

This episodes guest is Rich Rosenzweig, screenwriter and professional drummer

You can listen to the podcast here.

A New York Minute In History is a production of the New York State Museum, WAMC, and Archivist Media, with support from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

Listen to more New York Almanack podcasts HERE. 

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Filed Under: History, Hudson Valley - Catskills Tagged With: Ancram, boxing, Columbia County, John Morrissey, Massachusetts, Podcasts, railroads, surveying, Taconic Mountains, Vice

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Stories written under the Editorial Staff byline are drawn from press releases and other notices. Submit your news to New York Almanack here.

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