Bob
The 20-acre Pratt Rock Park is located just south of the village of Prattsville in Greene County, New York. The park is perhaps best known for the stone carvings depicting the life of Zadock Pratt, a local 19th century tannery owner and founder of Prattsville. Carvings include a bust of Zadock Pratt, a bust of George Pratt (Zadock’s son), a horse, a hemlock tree, a scroll, the tannery, the Pratt family coat of arms, a wreath in honor of two of Pratt’s children and an arm raising a hammer.
In addition to the historic carvings Pratt Rock is also home to a wonderful overlook that offers views of the beautiful Schoharie Valley. The scene includes the Schoharie Creek, local farms, public playing fields and distant mountains. The overlook is easily accessible with an estimated 1.5-mile roundtrip hike along an unmarked but easily followed trail.
Pratt Rock Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, being considered “historically significant for its association with Zadock Pratt, founder and benefactor of the hamlet of Prattsville, industrialist, statesman, inventor, banker, and philanthropist.” The park is open to the public year-round. There is no admission fee.
The horse represents Zadock Pratt’s loved of equines. It is reported that Pratt owned over a thousand horses in his lifetime. The horse depicted here was named Bob, and was ridden by Zadock Pratt while serving as a cavalry sergeant under the command of Captain Stone in 1814. The carving “stands out against the side of the cliff in bold relief. The image is 12 feet from head to tail, and more than six feet from flowing mane to front hoof. The left hind foot and the right front foot are lifted, as though the charger were about to swing into action. Gracefully arched neck and flowing mane and tail emphasize the beauty of the image.” (“Catskill Memorial to Hero of Revolution.” The Binghamton Press. July 8, 1830.)
At the beginning of the hike to Pratt Rock there is a stone monument that was erected in memory of Zadock Pratt’s horses and dogs, including his beloved horse Bob from the War of 1812. The monument inscription reads “Of over one thousand horses owned and worn out in service of Z. Pratt, the following were favorites . . . Bob, a sorrel, aged twenty-four years; Bogue, a bay, aged eighteen years; Prince, a gray, aged thirty years . . . Carlo, a scotch terrier and Newfoundland, aged twelve years; Rough, an Irish Canadian mastiff, aged eleven years; Mingo, a half English terrier, aged ten years.”
