Stephentown to Somerstown to Somers

The town was established as Stephentown in 1788. Another New York town was named Stephentown. The town decided to change its name to Somerstown. In 1808, the name was changed to Somers in honor of Richard Somers, who was a naval captain from New Jersey. He died in combat during the Tripolitan War. Somers grew during the 1980s and 1990s, after IBM and Pepsi built corporate facilities here.

Old Bet put the Elephant in Elephant Hotel

Often called the "cradle of the American circus"[1], Somers gained its' notoriety after Hachaliah Bailey bought an African Elephant, which he named "Old Bet". He wanted to use the elephant for farm work but because it attracted so many people, Bailey decided to take her throughout the northeast on tour. During the 1830s Bailey and others with exotic animals merged to form what we know as the modern circus. Old Bet died on tour in 1827. Bailey afterwards built the Elephant Hotel in Somers to honor Old Bet, and it was subsequently purchased by the town in 1927. It is a town landmark and was recently dedicated a National Historic Landmark. The elephant continues to be a symbol of the town to this day, with the High School sports teams nicknamed "Tuskers". The Elephant Hotel is currently the Somers Town Hall.