To Move or Not to Move

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Valcour Monument on April 26, 2018

Valcour Monument on Dedication Day 1928

By John T. Ryan

Recent letters to the Press Republican Editor have made people aware of an ongoing debate within our local historical community. The debate involves a plan under consideration by the Saranac Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to relocate a monument that commemorates the valor of American forces led by Benedict Arnold in the Battle of Valcour on October 11, 1776. The Valcour Monument, erected in 1928 and property of the DAR, is currently located in the Town of Peru adjacent to Route 9, 1.2 miles south of the Peru Boat Dock entrance road.

At the Peru Town Board’s September 11, 2017 meeting Town Historians Ron and Carol Allen informed the Town Board that the DAR is considering moving the monument to Clinton Community College, far removed from the battle scene and in Town of Plattsburgh. In the course of writing this story, the Peru Gazette learned the DAR would prefer moving the monument to the Peru Boat Dock, 1.2 miles north of its current location, but still in the Town of Peru.The Board responded to the Allen’s presentation by passing a resolution asking the DAR to reconsider its proposal.

The Allens cited several reasons for not relocating the monument:

The monument has very high visibility at its current location.
Most of the battle site is visible from its current location.
The Battle of Valcour took place in what is now the Town of Peru, thus the monument should remain in the Town of Peru.
The monument is not in danger of falling into the lake because its four-foot base is sitting on bedrock and tons of shock-rock have been dumped behind it for added protection.
The monument survived the record 2011 high lake water levels with no ill effects.
The monument shows no evidence of harm from weathering, road salt, wind, ice, or anything else.
The monument has been at its current location for so long that it has become a local historic landmark.
The monument can be viewed from inside a vehicle; there is no need to exit a vehicle.
The DAR would lose the title to the property if the monument is moved.
No other site can offer the same degree of visibility, geographic proximity or historical significance than where the monument is currently located.
The monument’s current location was not chosen randomly in 1928. The site was deeded to the DAR by Honorable H. T. Kellogg and his wife Katherine for the erection of the monument. The Kelloggs both had strong ancestral ties to the American Revolution as well as to early members of the Saranac Chapter of the DAR.

Contacted by the Peru Gazette, Sharron Bell, Saranac DAR Chapter Registrar, explained why the DAR plans to move the Monument.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation wants the monument moved because of road maintenance and salt damage issues. An August 2015 DEC Draft Unit Management Plan envisions that the Valcour Monument, a second monument, interpretative panels and a flagpole would be part of an interpretative site at the Peru Boat Dock. See page 71 of Draft Unit Management Plan See DEC Sketch Plan
The monument is located on a bad curve. It is not safe to stop and visit. In 1983 Clinton County Historian Addie Shields initiated a discussion concerning signage and parking in the area of the monument with the Department of Transportation and the Regional Traffic Engineer. The determination of the Regional Traffic Engineer, L. Raymond Power stated, “It would be tragic to invite tourists to stop and jeopardize their safety. It is with the safety of the traveling public in mind that we cannot place advance Historical Marker signs as suggested.”
The monument is subject to road salt damage and the property is subject to erosion on both sides. Old maps show more land behind the monument.
Clinton County deed records and tax maps do not establish the DAR as the owner of the property. The monument is on NYS Highway right of way.
On April 4, 2002, DAR Regent Nancy Hopkins received a copy of Resolution #214 from the Clinton County Legislature supporting the relocation of the Valcour Monument. The vote was 10-0.

Sharon Bell summarized the DAR position stating, “ The DAR favors relocating the Valcour Monument to the Peru Boat Dock; however, relocating it to Clinton Community College is an option. The College has indicated it would welcome the monument and the DAR conducts its annual commemorative services at the College. If New York State does not take action, the DAR will take action.”

Editor’s Note: The Peru Gazette communicated with the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Region 5 Office in Ray Brook to get an update on DEC plans. The specialist most directly involved in the matter referred us to a Public Affairs Specialist who did not respond to either phone calls or emails.