Anthony's Nose

Text from William Wade

At Dunderberg Mountain or Caldwell's Landing, what is called the Horse Race commences. This consists of an angle in the river, which for more than a mile, takes a westwardly direction, contracted to a very narrow space between bold and rocky mountains; one of which, Antony's Nose, is eleven hundred and twenty-eight feet high, and is opposite the mouth of Montgomery creek, overlooking forts Montgomery and Clinton.

Two amusing accounts are given of the origin of the name of this mountain. One by the author of "letters about the Hudson," was obtained from General Van Courtlandt, whose residence may be seen at the foot of the mountain. Before the Revolution, a vessel under the command of Captain Hogans, was passing up the river. When immediately opposite the mountain, the mate looked rather quizzically, first at the mountain, then at the captain's nose, which was of an enormous size, and a frequent subject of remark. "What," said the jolly craftsman, "does that look like my nose? call it then, if you please, Antony's Nose." The story was repeated on shore, and the mountain assumed the name, and stands an imperishable monument of the greatness of Captain Antony Hogan’s nose.

Mr. Irving's account is more marvellous, if not more probable. It is derived from the nose of Antony Van Corlear. The Dutch governor was making his first voyage up the Hudson:- "just at this moment, the illustrious sun, breaking in all his splendour from behind one of the high cliffs of the Highlands, did dart one of his most potent beams full upon the refulgent nose of the sounder of brass. The reflection of which shot straightway down, hissing hot into the water, and killed a mighty sturgeon that was sporting beside the vessel! When this astonishing miracle came to be made known to Peter Stuyvesant, he, as may well be supposed, marvelled exceedingly; and as a monument thereof, gave the name of Antony's Nose to a stout promontory in the neighbourhood, and it has continued to be called Antony's Nose ever since."