Washingtonville New York Historical Information

First settled in the early 1700's, Washingtonville was somewhat slow to grow for quite a few years. About 75 years to be exact, until in the early 1800's John Jacques, a boot and shoemaker, set up his shop in the tiny settlement which held only nine houses and was called "Little York."

Jacques later established what was called the Brotherhood Winery,(which is now the oldest continuously operating winery in the United States) in 1839.

The earliest known resident of the community was an Indian by the name of Moringamus, whose wigwam or tepee was once pitched there year round.

Samuel Moffat built a trading post on the village square in 1811 at the meeting site of the New Windsor and Blooming Grove Turnpike with the Goshen Road and with this vast influx of residents, the small town started to prosper, and added a tannery, grist mill and plaster mill.

A hotel was needed and Samuel Moffat built his Washington Tavern in 1818. The same year Samuel and John Jacques bestowed the village with a new name, Washingtonville, in honor of the late general-first president of the United States.
The story tells how Washington as a general came through the village and watered his horse at the trough which was located under the big village tree in the center of the village.

Washingtonville grew still more after the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railway built a branch through the village. Washingtonville New York was incorporated in 1895 as a village.