A new comer in Walden in 1859 says there were then only three prominent business houses, those of Marcus K. Hill, Ebenezer Knapp, and Joseph Millspaugh. It seemed to him then that about nine-tenths of the inhabitants there were named either Millspaugh or Kidd. Augustus F. Scofield was then the leading citizen of wealth and influence, having a large shawl factory. The hotels were the Eagle and the St. Nicholas, as they are at present. Scofield Hall was used for public assemblies and such eminent lecturers as John G. Saxe, Rev. Edward K. Beecher, Park Benjamin and Fanny Fern appeared there. The much loved village parson was old "Dominie" Schoonmaker, who labored there faithfully for many years. The industries of Walden were then confined to the shawl factory, the satinette factory of Giles Andrews, and the knife factory. James Todd was widely known as "the model farmer of Orange County." George Weller was a prominent resident greatly devoted to all the village interests, and his home was regarded as a scene of unbounded hospitality and good cheer. The first introduction of gas in Walden many years ago was not a financial success, and the company abandoned the project. A public water system was introduced in 1892. Previous to that time water for fires had to be taken through long hose from the Wallkill and Tinn Brook streams. The electric fire alarm system was installed about fifteen years ago. The newspaper known as the _Walden Herald_ was established about 1869, and the _Walden Citizen_ is in its twentieth year. Near the line of Newburgh, in the northeastern part of the town, is the old hamlet of St. Andrews, which was left behind in the later development of Walden with its great water-power facilities. It was named for the ancient Episcopal church there, which is now located at Walden. Maybrook is an important railway junction, in the extreme southeast corner of the town. The population, which numbers about four hundred, is composed principally of railroad employees. Coldenham is near the New Windsor boundary, but in the southeastern part of the town. The title came from the Colden family and the hamlet was the home of the Lieutenant Governor and acting Chief Magistrate of the New York Colony. Allard's Corners on the northwest border, and Scott's Corners, east of Montgomery village, are other small hamlets of minor importance. BANKS. Le Fevre and De Garmo were the first bankers, beginning business in Walden in 1870. They continued but a short time, and in 1873 the Exchange Bank was organized with George W. Stoddard in active charge. This was merged into the Walden National Bank in 1877 and was succeeded in 1897 by the National Bank of Walden, the name of the present institution. The Walden Savings Bank, the oldest and largest financial institution in the town, began business June 1, 1872, with the following officers: Seth M. Capron, president; Thomas W. Bradley, vice-president; and Peter LeFevre, secretary and treasurer.