MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NY

County Offices
64 Broadway
Fonda 518-853-8111
www.co.montgomery.ny.us

Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce
2 North Main Street
Gloversville 518-725-0641
www.fultonmontgomeryny.org

Montgomery County is one of the smaller counties in New York State, comprised of 409 square miles of land. Montgomery County is only 22 miles from the state capitol of Albany, and only 180 miles from New York City. The New York State thruway and New York State Barge Canal run of 40 miles through the center of the county from the eastern border to the western border.

Lifestyle
In an area of 409 square miles, the county has ten villages, one city (Amsterdam), and 10 towns, with a population approaching 50,000. The county is home to six libraries and the Montgomery County Department of History and Archives, all of which are sources for local history. There also 90 churches, synagogues, and places of worship located throughout the county.

Known as the “Gateway to the West” due to its location, the Montgomery County area has a rich historical background still evident today. Its river, turnpike, canal and railroad transportation routes add to the complexity of the area’s past. As a midpoint between the popular Cooperstown and Saratoga attractions, positioned near the State Capital of Albany, and nestled in the foothills of the great Adirondacks, Montgomery County has long been the center of some of the most important events in our nation’s history: Abundant natural resources sustained the Mohawk tribal people whose villages once bordered the river; settlers arrived in the early 1700s, including the Dutch, German and British; and it was the center of many  battles during the American Revolution. With its natural break in the Appalachian Mountains at “The Noses,” Montgomery County anchored America’s main east-west axis, enabling New York State to become one of the greatest manufacturing regions of the world.

No matter where you go in Montgomery County, the Mohawk River is always part of the lifestyle and a central part of the Mohawk Valley. Residents enjoy a lifestyle of four season outdoor living. Whether fishing, boating, skiing, hiking, biking, hunting or camping.  And the Erie Canal, which provided so much to the economic past of the county is also part of this water based recreation. The Erie Canal operates for navigation from early May to late November. There are a number of marinas and boat launches in Montgomery County, including the St. Johnsville Municipal Marina, Canajoharie Pavilion Landing, Schoharie Crossing, Amsterdam’s South Side boat launch, and Riverlink Park, Amsterdam. There are seven locks on the Montgomery County portion of the Erie Canal, each with a park and picnic area.

For those looking to keep their recreation a little less strenuous, the region is home to dozens of small towns dotted with shops, galleries and antique shops. There are numerous wineries, restaurants, farmers markets and more waiting to entice the locals and visitors. Historic attractions await exploration throughout the region, while local festivals attract neighbors to get together in celebration.  Although the county offers a quiet pace of life residents enjoy a lifestyle that is the envy of urban dwellers everywhere.

Services
The county has always been a mainly agricultural area, and today that is still evident. And as the western gateway to New York State’s Tech Valley, Montgomery County’s location makes it an ideal place to conduct business. The county is situated along three New York State Thruway interchanges, served by Amtrak and CSX and is located minutes from Albany International Airport and the University at Albany College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The county is also home to Hero/Beechnut Corporation’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities.

The County affords outstanding educational opportunities at all levels. Public and private schools offer strong college preparatory, vocational and technical programs. Montgomery County Schools offer a variety of enrichment programs which take students beyond the normal curriculum. Academic enrichment in music, drama and art broaden the cultural awareness of local students and community. Accredited private schools that offer classes in kindergarten through grade twelve are also available. The county is severed by five school districts. The schools in Montgomery often feature lessons on the rich Amish and Mohawk Native American cultures that are present in the county. The public schools are a tightly knit family in which everyone knows everyone and the communities in Montgomery County are huge supporters of the schools.  Higher educational opportunities can be found at the Fulton-Montgomery Community college, home to more than 3,000 students studying in a wide variety of academic programs.

Health care is a priority in the county and is well represented by an excellent full-service hospital, healthcare facilities and human service agencies that offer a continuum of care, resources and support to meet the physical, mental and developmental needs of the community. The county is served by the Saint Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam which is a 120 bed facility, offering a full range of services.

Amsterdam City/Town
City Offices
518-841-4300
www.amsterdamny.gov

Town Offices
518-842-7961
www.townofamsterdam.org

The City of Amsterdam is known as the “Small City with a Big Heart”. It is located just off of the New York State Thruway Exit 27. This city has a population of more than 18,500 and is conveniently located near several colleges and universities, as well as a short commute to the major employment centers in the Capital District. Nestled in the foothills of the Adirondacks, this former mill-town is rich in local history. The award-winning St. Mary’s Hospital is the largest local employer, with a beautiful campus overlooking the Mohawk River. The Town of Amsterdam is the largest town in Montgomery County, with a population of just under 6,000, it is also just minutes from the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George and Saratoga regions. This Town boasts a super residential community, growing commercial centers and many historic and cultural resources. The Greater Amsterdam Riverlink Park is the home of an elevated walkway with breathtaking views linking downtown Amsterdam to a riverside plaza area with open-air stage, children’s playground, visitor’s center, gardens and 600 feet of transient boat docking. Free concerts are held during July and August.  Amsterdam’s friendly attitude makes it an attractive place for residents and visitors alike.

Canajoharie Town/Village

Town Offices
518-673-3112
https://www.co.montgomery.ny.us/sites/public/municipal/TownOfCanajoharie/default.aspx/

Village Offices
518-673-5512
https://villagecanajoharie.digitaltowpath.org:10120/content

With a population of just over 3,800, Canajoharie has many things to offer including a section of the Erie Canal Bike Trail, a multi-million dollar Library and Art Gallery, as well as beautiful parks and recreational facilities. Canajoharie is full of fun activities. It is the home of the Arkell Museum and Wintergreen Park, as well as Music on Main street, which is a free summer music program and open to the public. Rich in agriculture, residents find locally grown fruits and vegetables at the Farmers Market, located in the Village during the summer months. With a population of over 2,200, the Village of Canajoharie boasts its own Fire Department and Police Department. This small community offers its residents a peaceful lifestyle in a beautiful natural setting.

Charleston
Town Offices
518-922-5259
https://www.co.montgomery.ny.us/web/municipal/charleston/

The Town of Charleston is the only Town in Montgomery County that does not border the Mohawk River. Primarily a rural area situated 30 minutes from the cities of Amsterdam and Schenectady and 45 minutes from the state capital of Albany, NY.  The nearby interstate systems of I-88 and I-90 make getting to the larger cities very easy. Charleston includes the hamlets of Burtonville, Charleston Four Corners, Davis Corners, Fox Corners, Lib Corners, Lost Valley, Market Corners, Oak Ridge and Rockwell Corners. With a population of more than 1,300, Charleston is known mainly for its Forests. The Charleston State Forest and Thomas H. Burbine Sr. Memorial Forest are perfect for many outdoor activities.  Charleston is fortunate to have in it’s boundaries over 4,000 acres of state and county forests dedicated to providing great hunting, fishing, hiking, x-country skiing, horseback riding and snowmobiling on well maintained trail systems.

Florida
Town Offices
518-843-6372
www.co.montgomery.ny.us/florida

Primarily an agricultural community, the Town of Florida has a population of just over 2,700. It includes the hamlets of Minaville, Scotch Bush, and Fort Hunter.  The Town is 50.4 square miles in size and is located on the southern border of the county in the Mohawk Valley.  The Town is bordered on the west by the Schoharie Creek and on the north by the Erie Canal (Mohawk River) and the City of Amsterdam. Schenectady County serves as the eastern and southern border. The town is home to the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site and Visitors Center. The town is also famous for its Bed and Breakfast inns.  Florida is also the home of Beech Nut the baby food and products company.

Fonda
Village Offices
518-853-4335
http://villageoffonda.ny.gov

Home to the County Seat, the Village of Fonda has a population of just over 800. Fonda is on the north bank of the Mohawk River on the opposite bank from the Village of Fultonville. The Fonda Fairgrounds are always a hub of activity, and every year since 1844 during Labor Day week in September, the home of the Fonda Fair. This annual event draws visitors from all over the region. The fairgrounds all host other events throughout the year including; horse and farm animal shows and concerts.  Residents also enjoy the thrill of modified stock car racing at the Fonda Speedway. The village of Fonda offers a quiet small town lifestyle to its residents.

Fort Johnson
Village Offices
518-843-3175
www.vfjny.org
With a population of just over 500, it is no surprise the Village of Fort Johnson has a full calendar of events for their Senior and Youth Commission groups. Ft. Johnson is located in the town of Amsterdam. The Village Fire Department is also very active in the community.  The most historic landmark in the Village is Old Fort Johnson, the original limestone house built by Sir William Johnson.

Fort Plain
Village Offices
518-993-4271
http://villageoffortplain.com

Home to a large Amish community, there are around 2,300 people who live in the Village of Fort Plain. There is never a lack for something to do here, from concerts and celebrations in Haslett Park, to picnics, horseshoes and playing ball in Wiles Park. On the site of the original Fort Plain, the Fort Plain Museum offers exhibits spanning the history of the Mohawk Valley with emphasis on the Revolutionary period.
Dating from 1786, the Isaac Paris House, now the DAR Chapter House, showcases various historical collections in rooms furnished in period manners.  The Fort Plain Free Library, across from Haslett Park, offers a sampling of genealogies, local history and brochures highlighting area attractions. The Canal way Trail, parallels the Mohawk River and the present Barge Canal and offers locals a lovely journey through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area.

Fultonville
Village Offices
518-853-3815
http://fultonville.org

The Village of Fultonville is on the south bank of the Mohawk River in the Town of Glen. Founded around 1824 in expectation of the opening of the Erie Canal, the Village of Fultonville was named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat. A section of the Erie Canal way Trail, which will span over 500 miles when complete, goes right through the Village of Fultonville. With a population of almost 800, the village supports its own Fire Department.

Glen
Town Offices
518-853-8525
www.co.montgomery.ny.us/web/sites/municipal/default.asp?muni=1759

The Town of Glen is rich in agriculture, and includes a large Amish community, extending over almost 40 square miles. It is home to the National Shrine of North American Martyrs, Auriesville Shrine, as well as the Schoharie Aqueduct & Boat Launch. Despite a population of just over 2,500, they do maintain their own volunteer Fire Department. Glen is centrally located in the county, southwest of the City of Amsterdam. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the Town developed as a farming community with an integral supportive mixture of small-scale commercial and industrial establishments such as inns and mills. In the early years, farmers devoted themselves primarily to dairying, which created an accompanying industry of cheese manufacturing. Like most farming communities in the northeast, in recent years the Town has seen a decrease in farming and an increase in vacant agricultural land.  There has also been an increase in single-family houses built on this former farmland. The Town of Glen remains primarily an agricultural community with a strong mixture of local industries and retail businesses. The residents are proud of their rural heritage and take an active role in their small community. The community offers newcomers a chance to live in a historic place surrounded by natural beauty.

Minden
Town Offices
518-993-3443
http://townofminden.org

Minden is home more than 4,300 people. With nearly 33,000 acres, dairy farming has been, and continues to be, the majority of the Town of Minden’s agricultural foundation. The Town of Minden retains a section of the original Erie Canal built in 1825 that is still in good condition. The town is located at the western edge of the county. The Town of Minden has six hamlets which are Hallsville, Mindenville, Freybush, Fordsbush, Salt Springville, and Brookmans Corners. Hallsville was named after a pack peddler called Robert Hall, who at one time operated four stores, a brewery and a distillery. The Hamlet of Freybush is one of the oldest settlements of the area. The other four hamlets are scattered through the town and are still very rural in character. The town has always been an agricultural based community. Dairy farming has been the main part of this agricultural base and continues today.

Mohawk
Town Offices
518-853-3031
http://townofmohawkny.com

The Town of Mohawk, located in the heart of the Mohawk Valley, is home to the County seat, Fonda. The town is located west of the City of Amsterdam.  There are several historic landmarks in the Town, with the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine being one of the most prominent. The town is home to almost 4,000 residents. The Town is bounded on the south by the Mohawk River. Fulton County is the northern border, and the Towns of Palatine and Amsterdam represent the western and eastern borders. Fonda is also home to the Fonda Fairgrouds and Speedway.  The Town of Mohawk is rich with local history reaching back to when the Indian tribe “Mohawks” inhabited the area and when the Jesuit priests came to set up the Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine. As with many of the communities in this county Mohawk is a quiet, rural community with a historic past. Residents enjoy all that living in a rural environment affords – all a short drive from the capital region.

Palatine/Palatine Bridge
Town/Village Office
518-673-4487
http://townofpalatine.org

The Town of Palatine is located on the north side of the Mohawk River in the northwestern part of the county. It is home to more than 3,400 people. The town is home to a large Amish community, as well as a number of historic landmarks and buildings. Palatine’s rolling countryside and colorful trees make it a perfect destination for a picnicking and hiking day trip, or as a new place to call home.  Palatine Bridge is located within the Town of Palatine, the community was named for German Palatines, who moved to the area to get away from maltreatment. A bridge connects the Village of Palatine Bridge to Canajoharie, which gave this Village its name. With a population of over 700, this charming little village is also located on the Mohawk River.

Saint Johnsville
Town Offices
518-568-2662
http://www.stjohnsville.com/

The Town of St. Johnsville is in the northwest part of the county. The town contains a village, also called St. Johnsville. Both town and village are about halfway between Utica and Amsterdam. The Erie Canal, as part of the Mohawk River, is at the town’s south border. The town is home to more 2,700 residents. St. Johnsville was formed as a town at the division of Montgomery County on April 18, 1838. It is situated in the northwest corner of Montgomery County on the north bank of the Mohawk. East Canada Creek flows along its western border. St. Johnsville has several points of interest; rich in history and others more recently developed for recreational purposes. The historical points of interest include:1747 Nellis Tavern, Fort Klock Historic Restoration, which offers many events each year, Palatine Church, Margaret Reaney Memorial Library and Museum, the Village Community House, and INN by the Mill Bed and Breakfast. Recreational activities include boating, fishing, camping along the peaceful Mohawk River, diamond mining, hiking, biking and snowmobiling are also available as season activities. As a rural riverfront community the town offers its residents the ability to enjoy nature and enjoy all that the local farmers have to offer.