When I lived in Garrison, New York, for a relatively brief time in the late 80s and early 90s, I noticed this historical plaque at some point. After actually reading what it said, I began to realize how much history was all round me in this area of Hudson Valley.
Arnold had the rank of major general in the Continental Army under Washington; he was given command of the West Point fortress. Working with British Major John André, he was planning to hand it over to the British when the plot was discovered. André was captured and executed while Arnold escaped and was rewarded by the British.
A tiny sampling of other historical things in the area: West Point was placed at a particular place along the Hudson River for strategic reasons, and the Hudson River, as a passage way, was extremely important. While the town of Garrison is not named due to a garrison being there, it was named after a Lieutenant from the Academy across the river. And something really interesting: huge chains were stretched across the river here (near current day Bear Mountain Bridge and further north at West Point) to thwart British ships sailing up the Hudson during the American Revolutionary War.
Too late in life I wondered why I had not studied History in college; I now understand why, when an academic position opens in that department, there are literally hundreds of applicants eagerly vying for the job. And I though fifty or seventy-five in the Art Department was a lot.
One image by Richard Koenig; taken June 1st 2026.
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