The Town of Malta’s first designated historic district, known as the Dunning Street Historic District, includes the 18th century parade ground given in Revolutionary War times to the citizens of Malta by Michael Dunning. It is familiarly called “the parade.” Dunning set aside this parcel from his land holding as a “common” to be used for military training. The “parade” served in this capacity during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. County Road #108, which runs through the “parade” in an easterly direction, was used in early deeds as a reference point as “the Road to Stillwater.” Deeds to the “parade” are held by the owners of the property with the restrictions as stated: “This grant is made upon the condition and covenant that the said premises shall not be enclosed or fenced or ploughed and that the same shall remain a Common as the same has formerly been and that this covenant shall run with the land.” Michael Dunning came to this area, known as Dunning Street, in the spring of 1772 from Newtown, Connecticut with his family. He purchased 1,200 acres of land, which consisted of the whole lot #10 of the 5th General Allotment of the Kayaderosseras Patent, and it was from this tract that he gave the plot, which was to be forever public land. For many years, both the Rogers Hotel at Dunning Street and Dean Chase’s Tavern at Malta Ridge were major stops for the stagecoaches from Albany to the North. In 1962, a historic marker was placed at the parade ground in memory of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth, one of the first Union officers to be killed in the Civil War. Ellsworth was born in Malta, where his father ran a tailor shop for several years before the family moved to Mechanicville.
From its earliest days, the parade ground was also intended as a public gathering place for Malta residents. There, women could visit with neighbors, share recipes and gossip, and commiserate over household tasks. Children played together with boys and girls from nearby farms. Men participated in militia drill activities, drank hard cider, and engaged in merriment and socializing with their fellow citizens.
The “parade” today compares favorably with yesteryears, and it is our responsibility to preserve it for future generations.
