I love exploring the many little-known battlefields across New York, so I was excited when I chance to check out Newtown Battlefield State Park near Elmira, New York.
The Battle of Newtown was the only major battle during the Sullivan Expedition of 1779. This expedition was led by General John Sullivan and was aimed at ending the threat posed by the British-allied Iroquois Confederacy, a goal that was largely achieved with his victory at Newtown.
Today, a portion of the 2,100-acre battlefield is preserved as Newtown Battlefield State Park in eastern Chemung County. There are also 11 other monuments and signs scattered around the surrounding area denoting different points of interest around the battlefield.
The state park occupies a large portion of Sullivan’s Hill. This hill was fortified by the Iroquois in an attempt to ambush Sullivan’s forces, but saw no fighting beyond being the focal point of cannon fire by Sullivan prior to the main battle, which occurred at the base of the hill.
The main highlights here are the hilltop monument and the nearby view, both of which are impressive to see.
The 80-foot granite monument was erected in 1912 and honors the Americans that fought and died in the battle. Of course, others, including Native Americans fought here, and signs have been added around the site that tell their story and pay honor to them, which is a nice touch.
There’s even a Seneca Nation flag hanging near the monument.
Speaking of the monument, I found it interesting that the one you see today is actually the second one built on this site. The first was built in 1879 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the battle. However, it was felled in a storm in 1912 on the anniversary of the battle.
In addition to the monument and signs on the hilltop, there is also a fantastic overlook platform. From here, there are commanding views of the rolling hills to the south, and it’s not hard to see why this spot was chosen to ambush the American forces moving through the valley.
Today, noise from the highway that runs along the Chemung River interrupts the peacefulness of the spot, but you won’t want to miss the great view.
Aside from the battlefield aspects of the park, there are also several cabins and campsites, a small playground, and a few miles of hiking trails in the park for those looking to spend a bit more time here.
Those wanting to explore more of the battlefield, however, will want to head down the hill and out of the park. There are 11 total markers to be found in the area, primarily along Oneida Road (County Route 60).
These range from larger stone monuments to small information signs, but each marks a spot of note in the battlefield. A monument as well as a map of the stops can be found at the Lowman Park and Ride lot just off exit 57 of I-86.
Overall, while I definitely wouldn’t call it a must-visit spot, Newtown Battlefield State Park is an interesting place to visit if you want to learn more about New York’s Revolutionary War history.
It’s worth noting that the gate into Newtown Battlefield State Park is closed from November through late May each year. You can walk up to the monument year-round, but to do so in the off-season will require a rather steep mile and a quarter hike up the road.
All of the other monuments listed are year-round and easily accessible.
More information can be found on the park’s website.
Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out the National Soaring Museum, Waverly Falls, and the Corning Museum of Glass.
