Comments on: Baron von Steuben Memorial Site, Remsen, NY

By: Peter G

Peter G — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:02:14 +0000

My Dog’s name by the way.. “Baron” .. no joke. I wish I could take credit for naming him but I can’t.. That goes to a very clever older sister.

By: Peter G

Peter G — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:59:42 +0000

My family lived across the street from this park in the big white house on the corner of starr hill and sixty roads. Though we had 6 acres of lawn ourselves I considered “The Park” my own adventureland .. You are right sir, the place in its expansive ocean of green lawn, the “hardwood” and pine forests represented mystical other worldliness qualities about it.. Imagine what it must have felt like to a young boy … I must have traversed along that crunchy stone path and climbed within the fenced perimeter of the monument hundreds of times.. along between the pine-needle ladden paths between the well-aligned pine trees.. If one continued North a few hundred more yards you would discover a small bubbling creek dividing the pine grove.. I often sat there in absolute solace apart from my dog (redbone hound mix).. in all seasons (including winter on snowshoes which brings an entirely different enlightment to the woods which cannot be fully explained here..) I also on many occasions found old indian trinquets in those woods as my dog scrambled ahead of me as he picked up a scent of some small varmit.. unfortunately many times it was a porcupine.. (ouch!) You brought me back to my youth sir.. I thank you … As I sit here at my work desk 500 miles and 30 years away from that place and time I will forever treasure the memories made there..

By: Paul W. Maikranz

Paul W. Maikranz — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:09:11 +0000

I found your msg to be very informative, I live about 6 miles from the site (air miles) and we go up to the area mentioned often, you have done a super job of telling his story, he was a great man and I am glad to see that someone understands the true meaning of a PATRIOT.
Thank You,
Paul.

By: Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 14:58:34 +0000

I drive past the memorial about 6 times a week on my way to and from work in the Adirondacks, so I enjoyed reading your family’s account of your visit. I’ve biked up to the memorial, and it’s truly beautiful. I often wonder, as my mind wanders on my commute, what things were like up there on Star Hill back in the good Baron’s day. I look forward to doing some bicycling up there again this summer from my home in the Mohawk Valley.

One thing that’s always intrigued me: There used to be a small bar along Route 12 near the road leading to the memorial called “The Blue Baron.” I always assumed it was a reference to Von Stueben, but can’t find find anything on that on the web. Anybody know what that was all about? Also, I didn’t realize that he was gay, although I guess that’s a reasonably well documented suspicion. Hey, I’m not, but I think bringing more great American historical figures out of the closet would be a good thing. There is also some speculation that he was forced to leave Europe because of pedophilia. That’s not such a good thing.

History is almost always more complex than our history texbooks reveal. Now, thanks to Texas, even more so.

By: Martin P.

Martin P. — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 18:49:46 +0000

I grew up in Remsen and visited this park so many times and I agree with you about the visual splendor that is often overlooked when you routinely see it. Winter and fall hold even more beautiful sights up on Starr Hill.

Did you know that General Steuben was gay? I mention that because I am, too, and if I had known that little fact growing up and living in that area for 25 years, I would’ve had at least one better moment in my life. So I mention it that someone else might have a better moment, too.

Even if you were not aware of this fact, what everyone has said above still holds true and thanks for writing about your visit.