Why is Poughkeepsie, New York Named “The Queen City?”

One of the best descriptions of Poughkeepsie comes from Houlihan Lawrence, saying, "The Hudson Valley's largest community, Poughkeepsie is a diverse cultural hub with a picturesque river walkway to boot. The city combines the energy of urban life with the breathtaking beauty of the Hudson Valley."

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Poughkeepsie, New York has earned several nicknames throughout the years. Some of them include "Po-Town" and just the abbreviation "PK." One of it's longest and most prestigious nicknames has been "The Queen City." How royal! But how did Poughkeepsie earn such a title?

What Does "Poughkeepsie" Mean?

First of all, what does "Poughkeepsie" even mean? Well, it got it's name from the local Native American tribes who lived in the Hudson Valley. The Wappingers (Wappinnee, Wapinck, Wappinge) and related Native American communities lived along the eastern banks of the Mahikannituck (Hudson River). from modern Dutchess County NY, east into central Connecticut, and south into Westchester County. They spoke an eastern-Algonquian dialect of the Lenape-Munsee language. "Wappinger" means "easterner" in most Algonquian languages. The word "Poughkeepsie" comes from the Wappinger word U-puku-ipi-sing, which means “reed-covered lodge by the little water place.”

Why is Poughkeepsie Known As "The Queen City?"

The answer can be found in the pages of a 19th century book on New York. One of the earliest records of Poughkeepsie being referred to as "The Queen City" goes back to 1884. Thursty McQuill wrote the book The Hudson River by Daylight, where he refers to Poughkeepsie as the "Queen City of the Hudson River" because of how its known for its location on the east bank of the Hudson River, halfway between Albany and New York City. With Albany as the Capitol, and New York City as "the seat of the Empire" or "the king," Poughkeepsie is the state's "queen."

McQuill also went on to describe how the city is also known for its natural beauty became a hub for history, arts, entertainment, and nearby colleges and universities. After 140 years, much of that is still true today as Poughkeepsie continues to be a hub and central point for much of the happenings in the Hudson Valley.