There is a large two story brick building in the City of Rensselear facing the west near the Hudson River. Known as Fort Crailo, and owned by the State, there has been more mystery surrounding this site than a children's Goosebumps story.

It has been recorded that the song Yankee Doodle was written here sometime in the 1750's by Dr. Richard Schuckburg, while sitting on a well in the rear of the Fort. Schuckburg was an Army surgeon during the French and Indian War, and wrote it as a derisive tune mocking the colonials, some who were dressed wearing furs and buckskins. Apparently, he didn't take too well of the fact that they were not dressed spit and shine like the British troops.

There are close to 200 versions of Yankee Doodle. Early versions were published on two American broadsides between 1775 and 1776, titled "The Farmer and his Son's Return From a Visit to the Camp" and the other "The Yankey's Return From Camp." On both, the songs are identical.

In 1775, sheet music of Yankee Doodle appeared in London after the news of the battles at Lexington and was a big hit throughout England.

According to Thomas Anburey in 1777, Yankee is a term that is derived from the Cherokee word 'eankke,' and was used for a coward or slave. "Yankee" was used as an epithet on New Englanders by the Virginians because they didn't help them during war with the Cherokees. Some historians have said that Doodle may mean a fool or simpleton.

Despite the fact that Yankee Doodle began as ridicule, the colonials took the song and adopted it for their own. And loving ironies as I do, Thomas Anburey recorded that the colonials played Yankee Doodle when the British surrendered at Saratoga. It is said that when Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown while the British played 'The World Turned Upside Down,' the Americans played Yankee Doodle.

The Fort itself is not without mystery. During the early part of the 20th century, the building was owned by a descendant of the Van Rensselaer's. Mrs. Alan H. Strong sold it to the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1915. The State of New York eventually acquired it but decided it didn't like the looks of the building and doodled with it.

A comparison of early photos and present reveal quite a change. Originally, a gambrel roof, it was removed and replaced with the present Spout Gabled roof. There was an entrance from the basement to the well that has been sealed off. Dormer windows were removed, and casement windows were put in with small diamond shaped panes, Dutch half doors were added, Dutch Fleur de lis wall ties were removed, and other guess alterations, over the objections of then State Archivist Arnold Van Laer.

An addition to the main building was added around 1740. There has been said that a stone or brick with IVR and the date 1740 existes on the east side of the northern door but is not visible today.

Part of the confusion was due to the fact that no one, including Van Laer, could find a date of construction for the building that could stick. Was it a Dutch house or Colonial Mansion?

Dates as early as 1642 were attributed to the building. This date with the letters KVR, are inscribed on a stone in the basement foundation along with another stone with the word "APOLENSIS." forming the last part of the name "Megapolensis." In 1661 there is mention of a farm called Crailo which may have been an old farm of Evert Pels on the east side of the River and taken over by Jeremias Van Rensselaer. Fort Crailo appears in 1663 when it was in connection with the digging of the well.

The other mystery name is Do. or Dominie Megapolensis. He was brought in by Van Rensselaer to minster for six years. They built him a house but he didn't like it. So, is this stone from the house he didn't use? How did it get in the foundation wall and why is the left part of the name covered with the north wall? Or, as another version has said, the left part of the name was simply broken off recovered from his original house that was demolished?

There is also evidence that a Fort was built in Greenbush to protect against Indian attack . In 1663, a new fort, was built at the time of the massacre by the Natives on Kingston settlers. Since Fort Orange was in terrible shape settlers fled to the fort called "cralo' erected on the Patroon's farm at Greenbush. But this was also described as a little fort or fortification, not a two story brick mansion?

The truth is out there and whatever the true history of Fort Crailo happens to be, it should become the noble quest of inspiring historians and archeologists.