Kingston and Ulster Townships

The town of Kingston, incorporated in 1667, is the oldest township in Ulster County and shares its history with the town of Ulster. Kingston was comprised of the diverse hamlets of Eddyville, Flatbush, Lake Katrine, and Dutch Settlement, with water-powered mills, icehouses, and truck and dairy farms. Ulster, the youngest township in the county, remained largely rural and agricultural until just after World War II, when IBM Corporation opened its Kingston area facility, bringing with it highways, housing, and retail giants. Lacking a geographic center, Ulster Township instead has taken on the identity of the business hub and mainstay of commerce for the entire county. Through vintage photographs, Kingston and Ulster Townships explores the growth of these proud communities.