# Skinner Hill State Forest: Property History and Underground Railroad Connection

**Location:** Junction of towns of Sherburne, Columbus, and New Berlin, NY
**County:** Chenango County, New York
**Total Area:** 1,666 acres
**Original Owner:** Skinner family (farmland)

## Physical Description

The forest consists of:
- Spruce and Pine Plantations
- Natural growing Hardwoods
- Open fields
- Wetland areas
- Stone walls and foundations from earlier farming use
- Historic stone bridges

## Underground Railroad Connection

### Historical Significance
- **Root Cellar:** Preserved root cellar used to hide escaped slaves during the Underground Railroad era
- **Location on Property:** Root cellar, stone walls, old stone bridges, and foundations from the era remain visible on the property
- **Community Context:** Part of broader Underground Railroad network in upstate New York, particularly in Oswego County region where Mexico is located

### Related Historical Sites
- **Starr Clark Tin Shop and Underground Railroad Museum (Mexico, NY):** Located in Mexico, this museum documents local Underground Railroad activity. Clark was an activist and tinsmith who, along with his wife Harriet, held meetings with abolitionists and provided refuge to freedom-seekers.

## Significance for Skinner Family Research

### Property History Timeline
- **Original Use:** Skinner family farmland (namified as "Skinner Hill")
- **Later Designation:** Converted to New York State Forest preserve
- **Preservation:** Underground Railroad features preserved as historical record of property during slavery era

### Family Connections
- Demonstrates long-term Skinner family land holdings in the region (extends back to pre-Civil War era)
- Property was substantial enough to warrant state forest preserve naming
- Suggests Skinner family's significant economic position and land ownership in 19th-century Chenango/Oswego County region

### Historical Context
- **Period:** Underground Railroad activity predates Civil War (approximately 1830s–1860s)
- **Era Alignment:** Corresponds to lifetime of Charles Rufus Skinner (b. 1844) and likely his parents/grandparents
- **Regional Implications:** Indicates Oswego County's role in Underground Railroad network and Skinner family's potential involvement in abolitionist activities

## Related Research

This property history connects to:
- Skinner family real estate holdings documented in Mexico Independent (1899 Railroad Street reference, 1947 "A.W. Skinner lands" articles)
- Charles Rufus Skinner's public prominence in Watertown and Northern New York
- T.W. Skinner family documentation in 1907 Mexico Independent

## Current Status

- **Managed by:** New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
- **Access:** Open to public for outdoor recreation
- **Historical Preservation:** Underground Railroad structures and features maintained as part of park infrastructure

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**Captured:** 2026-03-30
**Status:** Web research compilation
**Format:** Markdown source capture
**Sources:** NYSDEC official information, Andy Arthur.org forest documentation, National Park Service Underground Railroad database
**Relevance to 5707 Scenic Ave Property:** Establishes broader context of Skinner family property holdings and historical significance in the Mexico, NY region