Montgomery County: History Between Canals and the Mohawk River

Montgomery County offers several reasons to visit: historic sites, traces of the Erie Canal, and opportunities to explore on foot, by bike, or on the water. The Mohawk River runs through the entire county and also plays a role in recreational activities. You can make cultural sites and outdoor activities different focuses of your trip.

History Along the Canal and at Historic Sites

At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, you can see three significant phases of construction of the Erie Canal. The Fort Plain Museum features exhibits on the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries; the museum grounds include a park of approximately 75 acres. Fort Klock Historic Restoration offers another glimpse into regional history: This National Historic Landmark includes a Dutch barn dating from the 1790s, a blacksmith shop, and an 1825 schoolhouse.

Smaller places and individual buildings also tell stories of different chapters of the past. The 1747 Nellis Tavern, Homestead and Store reflects the culture of the Palatine Germans. In Stone Arabia, two 18th-century churches stand side by side. Colonel Brown’s Cemetery there is an 18th-century burial site for Colonel Brown and others who died in the Battle of Stone Arabia during the American Revolutionary War. The National Shrine of Kateri Tekakwitha combines a rustic chapel in an 18th-century Dutch barn with artifacts from the only fully excavated Mohawk village of its time.

For an art-focused visit, the Arkell Museum displays paintings by American artists, including works by Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent. At the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook, meanwhile, you can encounter history along the river: The overlook spans 511 feet across it, from the north bank to the south bank. At either end are twelve stopping points with symbols and explanatory texts about the history of the valley.

Trails, River, and Canal Route

The Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway runs for a total of 60 miles along the Erie Canal and the Mohawk River between St. Johnsville and Waterford; Montgomery County is home to one section of the route. Many sections follow the former route of the Erie Canal towpath from the 19th century. The Erie Canalway Trail is suitable for hiking, biking, inline skating, and cross-country skiing. Approximately 15 miles of multi-use trails also run through the county.

At Thomas H. Burbine Memorial Forest, a well-maintained loop trail about a mile long leads past trail signs and over a 30-foot bridge across the pond spillway. The forest is also home to Montgomery County’s first disc golf course. Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site also has marked trails for walking, biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are among the seasonal winter activities available there.

Activities on Land and Water

If you want to get out on the water, you can use kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards on the Mohawk River or Schoharie Creek in Montgomery County without a permit. At Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, kayakers and canoeists can use the Yankee Hill Kayak Launch and the Aqueduct Picnic Area Boat Launch. Access to these two launch sites is seasonal. This distinction helps with planning: general use of the waterways mentioned and access to specific launches are not the same thing.

Activities away from the waterways offer a variety of experiences, too. Alpacas at Clear View Farm offers free tours by appointment. In summer and fall, Sand Flats Orchard offers walks through the orchard and hand-picking ingredients. The Amsterdam Saturday Farmers/Crafters Market offers local produce and food, as well as products from local artisans.

Stock-car races are held on Saturday evenings at Fonda Speedway, on a half-mile clay track. Stock-car racing has taken place there since 1953. If you plan to include a visit in your trip, check event dates in advance. Montgomery County offers a wide variety of experiences: canal history and museums, trails and river scenery, as well as seasonal activities and events.

Discover more destinations: Amsterdam, Palatine Bridge, Fultonville, Tioga County, Herkimer County, Steuben, Cattaraugus County, St. Lawrence.

For the main travel overview: New York.