Program

Legends & Lore®

Subject

Event, Legend, People, Site

Location

Knapp’s View, 1603 Kings Hwy, Chester, NY 10918, USA

Lat/Long

41.328644, -74.27994

Grant Recipient

Sugar Loaf Historical Society

Near the entrance to Knapp’s View, a public park in the town of Chester, New York, one will find a Legends & Lore marker in commemoration of the park’s namesake, Nathaniel Knapp, and the story of his heroic feat. According to local legend, Knapp, a late 18th century resident of the area, killed a large bear here armed only with his knife. It is said that he asked to be buried on the site of the attack when he died. While there is no known grave marker in place for Knapp, it is believed that he is buried on the grounds of what would become Knapp’s View, a passive park preserved for its open space for use for walks, nature watching, and picnics, named in honor of this legendary local hero.