Interpretive signs tell Old Stone Barracks history

PLATTSBURGH | Blocks of limestone cut here more than 180 years ago formed the first Plattsburgh barracks for soldiers sent to defend the northern edge of a newly born America. It was a lesson learned in 1814, even as American militiamen sent British troops scrambling back across the Canadian border. Since 1838, the Old Stone Barracks have held their ground beside what was once a parade and muster field used for U.S. Army military training. The story of its construction, evolving use, and the rich connection it all makes to significant points in American history is told strategically in seven interpretive panels. The panels were installed in May with final elements of the project completed last month. The heavy resin signs use timelines, maps and diagrams illustrated with historic photographs of the property. They tell of military installation that encompassed use by three branches of the U.S. military -- the Army, Navy and the Air Force, over time. The paragraphs and captions are relayed in both English and in French. For Jerry Bates, president of now dissolved Friends of the Old Stone Barracks, the interpretive panels are a final task in a mission accomplished, fait accompli. Former Town of Plattsburgh historian, he pulled together the group of historians, civic and business leaders, friends and neighbors to spare the historic building from demolition and site development. In 2014, they announced the property and barracks would be sold to Mary Theresa Pearl and her late husband Terry Schmaltz, both retired U.S. Army Colonels, who established Valcour Brewing Co. with a brewery and restaurant, and an inn upstairs. The long history of the barracks won't get fade, even as it approaches a third century. "The construction started in 1838, but the barracks weren't finished until 1844," Bates said of the dates. The idea that sparked this place pulled from the earliest history of warfare in the Champlain Valley. U.S. Army General Alexander Macomb, field commander at the Battle of Plattsburgh, had built earthen defenses on the waterfront area in 1812 through 1814, Bates said. Having defeated the British in 1814, residents and military leaders remained wary of another attack. "In the late 1820s, Gen. Macomb became commanding general of the whole U.S. Army," Bates said. "And the old wooden barracks were breaking down, so he ordered the building of new quarters. There was also an officers' quarters building at right angles with the Old Stone Barracks. But it's gone, it was torn down in 1964." What remains is testament to the region's important stance against foreign invasion by the British, and subsequent use for training military personnel during every time of war until 1995. "There is no other military base that has had representation among various forces like this one," Bates said. The timeline illustrates the scope, with U.S. Army soldiers trained and housed here for the first 100 years, the U.S. Navy then opened a naval officer training facility using the barracks in 1944. The U.S. Air Force opened a convalescent hospital here in 1945. The site was used by Champlain College from 1946 to 1951. And then the U.S. Air Force housed Strategic Air Command on the property starting in 1953. The Old Stone Barracks sit on the southern edge of what became the Plattsburgh Air Base. "Late in the 1800s, they built the Oval," Bates said of expanding military use. In 1915, origins of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) were founded on the site as "The Plattsburgh Idea," in preparation for possible, inevitable, involvement in World War 1. The seven signs are spread out in stages along the front of the sidewalk at Valcour Brewing Co. Each shares varied details of construction and architecture as well as important milestones. For Friends of the Old Stone Barracks, history is important to keep telling. "The history is so strong. I think we can keep that alive," Bates said. As FOSB ends operations, they were required to transfer assets to another non-profit corporation. "The Clinton County Historical Association, a neighbor across the Barracks parade grounds, has accepted oversight of the funds to provide for maintenance and replacement of the signs as needed," Bates said. Association Director Helen Nerska said the signage is a key addition to help visitors understand significant history in and around the Old Base. "The signs are very well done, explaining why the base quarters were so important. It's a really wonderful story that we're telling there. Jerry has done a great job." Friends of the Old Stone Barracks acknowledged many people and organizations helped arrange the rescue and preservation of the historic property. Bates said assisting partners included the Lake Champlain Basin Program, Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH), and Preservation League of NYS. The all-volunteer friends' group board included Dennis Hulbert, Stephen Engelhart, Ron and Carol Allen, Julie Dowd, Geri Favreau, Stephen A. Johnson, Helen Nerska and Gary VanCour. Richard Frost served as an advisor to the sign project. Previous board members included Alice Church Mannix, John McKenna III, Anastasia Pratt, John Krueger, Carol Blakeslee-Collin, Melissa Facteau. Valcour Brewing and the signage telling the OSB story are located at 49 Ohio Ave., in Plattsburgh.

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Interpretive signs tell Old Stone Barracks history

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