Welcome to the Mohawk Valley
Welcome to the Mohawk Valley region, a bucolic quilt of forest, field, and town, framed by verdant hills and anchored by its defining feature, the Mohawk River. From the headwaters above Rome to its confluence with the Hudson River at Waterford, the Mohawk has stood at the feet of human history for thousands of years. As the only water-level route through the Appalachian Mountains into the heart of North America, the strategic importance of this glacier-carved passage would place it at the center of one nation’s birth and another’s demise.
No account of American history can be complete without the stories of this region. The scenes of humanity played out on this stage have shaped the histories of both New York and the nation. The battles and treaties of Fort Stanwix, Oriskany and Saratoga determined the paths of a fledgling United States and a disintegrating Iroquois Confederacy.
The Valley emerged from the Revolution as America’s first trade route to the continental interior, pushing New York City toward the pinnacle of capitalism and positioning New York State as “The Seat of a New Empire.” The commercial success of the Erie Canal allowed Utica and Schenectady to transcend their destiny as transportation hubs to become thriving, progressive cities.
Though some industries may have left the Mohawk Valley behind, the reason they came here has certainly endured. The quality of life is second to none. Every place must live in the reality of the present, but upon few is bestowed such a rich and vibrant past. The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor is an area of profound history and unique opportunity as well. No place in America can claim a more storied cultural and historical legacy and this endowment is not just an asset to behold, but a charge to keep. By celebrating our past, we ensure this legacy for future generations.
For more news, history and information about life in Herkimer and Oneida Counties, please visit Call Mohawk Valley Home.
