Fultonville: History along the Erie Canal

Fultonville lies on the south bank of the Mohawk River. Construction of the Erie Canal decisively accelerated the village’s growth; when the canal was completed through Fultonville, the village gained special importance as a stopping point. The river and road, canal and railroad provide a thread through the village’s development. For you, this means Fultonville’s history as a settlement and transportation hub is the main focus.

Transportation Routes and Their History

Fultonville’s settlement and growth were connected to natural and man-made transportation routes. The historical sequence stretches from river and road to canal and railroad. The Erie Canal was more than a backdrop to the village’s development: its construction accelerated growth, and its completion through the village made Fultonville a particularly important stopping point. The village’s history can therefore also be understood as a story of changing transportation routes.

The Mohawk Valley Welcome Center is located on the westbound NYS Thruway (I-90), by Mohawk River Lock E13 in Fultonville. It showcases the Erie Canal, the New York State Thruway, and the New York Central Railroad’s Water Level Route to Chicago as three important transportation arteries. The Erie Canal, the New York State Thruway, and the New York Central Railroad’s Water Level Route to Chicago represent water, road, and rail transportation there.

Buildings and Memorials

The Fultonville Historic District is recognized for its significance to transportation, settlement, and community development as a major commercial center of the Mohawk Valley in the 19th and 20th centuries. The District’s residential and commercial buildings reflect the community’s prosperity during the historical period. The buildings thus point to Fultonville’s importance at the time as a commercial center in the Mohawk Valley.

The Fultonville Reformed Church was founded in 1838; a white wood-frame building was erected the following year. A park now occupies the former school grounds. A historic memorial stone erected by graduates of Fultonville High School commemorates the classes held there. The memorial stone connects today’s park on the former school grounds with the memory of the classes held there.

Historic Businesses and Other Local Connections

Around 1810, John Starin opened one of the first taverns in Fultonville. In the late 19th century, John Starin built a large summer home on a hill in Fultonville. Starin’s silk factory remained in operation into the 20th century and spurred smaller silk- and glove-making businesses in the village. Starin’s silk factory represents a later economic period: it remained in operation into the 20th century and spurred smaller silk- and glove-making businesses in the village.

Starin Place is a 100-acre historic estate in Fultonville and is officially supported by the Fortroyal Foundation. The residential and commercial buildings reflect Fultonville’s prosperity, while Starin’s silk factory spurred smaller silk- and glove-making businesses.

Water and Local Orientation

The Fultonville Docks are a canoe and kayak launch on the south bank in the Village of Fultonville. On the stretch from Canajoharie to Fultonville, the Fultonville Dock is listed as one of the launch sites. If you plan to use the dock for a paddling trip, check current conditions in advance.

Local food and drinks from the Taste NY program are available at the Mohawk Valley Welcome Center. The product selection may change.

The cultural and historical experience spans from the early 19th century through the history of the 20th century; the paddling theme, by contrast, is tied to a specific dock and the Canajoharie–Fultonville stretch. If you are considering Fultonville as a destination for a stay, this is a tangible difference between local history and water-based activities.

Discover more destinations: Palatine Bridge, Amsterdam.

Go to the main travel overview: Montgomery County.