Founded in 1821, LaGrange was originally known as the town of Freedom. The town grew slowly at first, but the good soil, along with many streams, led to successful farms and mills. Quakers made their homes in the hamlets of Moore's Mills and Arthursburg and petitioned for the end of slavery, while the local men marched with Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman in the 150th Regiment, New York Infantry. Later LaGrange was home to Dr. George Huntington, who had been hailed for his research on the disease named after him. With the arrival of the trains, businesses prospered and the population grew, as both New England and city residents discovered its charms. Composer T. Carl Whitmer shared his talents in local performances and the legacy of James Baird, builder of the Lincoln Memorial, lives on in the park that bears his name. Thanks to its scenic beauty and central location to the Taconic State Parkway, LaGrange continues to attract visitors today.