Things That Happened First in the City of Newburgh

For the 19th straight year, this Hudson Valley City has received the designation of  "Tree City USA". The City of Newburgh is known for many things which we will unveil as you continue to read some of which are little-known facts while others are seeped in American history.

When it comes to being named Tree City USA again this year the City of Newburgh Mayor Torrance Harvey said that the City Council is proud to be recognized. The Tree City USA Award honors the Newburgh City Council for its commitment to the city's urban forest management. The city has enacted an annual forestry budget and a tree-care ordinance.

The City of Newburgh is the Home of the Electic Light

The City of Newburgh is very proud to say that they were in March of 1884 The Edison Central Power Plant cranked up their steam boilers and lit the first electric lights in downtown Newburgh businesses. This historic moment in Newburgh led to Thomas Edison perfecting his design for the incandescent light bulb.

SEE Also: Best Places to Eat on the Newburgh Waterfront

You can read more at CenHud.com about how this moment led to Newburgh becoming one of America's first cities with electric light.

The City of Newburgh is Home to the Nation's First Publicly Own Historic Site

Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site at 84 Liberty Street is the nation's first historic site to say they were publicly owned. This is the very spot where General George Washington spent months making some of the most important decisions that would shape the early American Republic.

SEE Also: Mary Jane's Dairy Bar Re-Opens

It was on this spot that General Washington created the Badge of Military Honor known today as the Purple Heart. While you are on the grounds you can tour the museum which is home to the award-winning exhibit Unpacked & Rediscovered: Selections from Washington's Headquarters Collection. If you love history they are looking for volunteers.

The City of Newburgh has Ties to One America's First Ladies of Comedy

The City of Newburgh is home to The Ritz Theater. It was at this very spot that the world was introduced live to Lucille Ball. Lucille was a native New Yorker so it wasn't too far of a stretch that she would play her very first-ever live show with her husband Desi Arnaz at the Ritz in Newburgh. They say this show was the birth of the I Love Lucy Show.

Why You had to take a Ferry to Beacon until 1963

As many of you know who enjoy the Newburgh Waterfront there is a ferry that will take you to Beacon. The current Newburgh Beacon Ferry is part of the MTA system. Over the years there was a ferry then there wasn't and now there is again. Service returned in 2005 after it had ended once the Newburgh Beacon Bridge was built in 1963.

Now you can choose how you cross the Hudson River in Newburgh. You can cross a bridge or take the Ferry.

Get our free mobile app

Dine and be Entertained on the Newburgh Waterfront