BACON HILL FARM TOUR
Capt. Martin Burke Home c.1820
At the stop sign, corner of County Road 39 (King Rd.) and County Road 40 (Wall Street), turn right and continue about .6 mile to NY Route 32.
Route 32 [Mile 2.6]
Proceed carefully onto Route 32 and make an immediate left onto County Road 29,
West River Road. [Mile 2.7]
The intersection of Route 32 and County
Road 29 is the location of four historic sites.
*Capt. Martin Burke Home c. 1820 [far right,
pictured above]
This Greek Revival House, built around 1820, was once the home of Martin Burke, an 1836
West Point graduate. Burke, a national military hero of the Mexican War, was killed in the
war on August 20, 1847 at the age of 32. Rumors abound that this house is haunted.
(* Denotes a state marker)
Home of Bacon Hill Grange # 828, erected c. 1905
[near right, on Grange Hall Road]
Organized in 1867, the Grange was the first general farm organization in America and soon
became a lobbying force for farmers. The grange has always recognized men and women on an
equal basis since both genders historically have helped maintain the rhythm of farm life.
Until the 1960s, the Bacon Hill Grange meetings were set by the full moon or "by the
light of the moon." Although the Bacon Hill Grange is no longer active, the Grange
organization continues in Saratoga County and across the nation as a social and
educational organization that works to promote the rural and agrarian lifestyle.
Site of Ebenezer Bacon Home c. 1794 [near
right]
Ebenezer Bacon settled here about 1794 and opened a store and tavern on this site. This
area, once known as Fiddletown and later Pope’s Corners, was renamed Bacon Hill in
his honor in 1832.
Site of Fake Tavern and Fake Home c. 1809 [on
West River Road] Peter Fake built the Fake Tavern about 1809. His son, John R. Fake, who
married Sarah Lewis, granddaughter of Ebenezer Bacon, operated the Bacon Hill Tavern
across the road from the Fake home. This location was a gathering place for town
meetings as well as the election site for general, local and state elections.
As you proceed up West River Road, take in the spectacular
views of the Hudson valley to the east, from the mosaic landscape of nearby fields to the
hills in Washington County and the Green Mountains of Vermont in the distance. The rolling
hills and flat plains of Bacon Hill are not just views of scenic beauty; they are part of
a working landscape cultivated by farmers.
Map2
Aging farm tractors with Grange # 828
in background
