Historic New York

	            This is Mohawk Country

     The majestic Mohawk Valley has been the scene of many key events  
which have helped to shape the character and destiny of New York State. 
and the nation.  This was once the home of the proud Mohawks, one of  
the main tribes of the powerful six-nation Iroquois Confederacy.  As 
the main gateway between the Adirondack Mountains and the Allegheny 
Plateau, the valley came to be used by French-Catholic missionaries, 
land-hungry settlers moving west, foreign travelers, French and Indian 
raiders, British tory, and American troops.  During the French and  
Indian War, and the American Revolution, it was a vital center of  
Action -- the main highway for east-west communication and a major 
point of contact between the contending armies. 

     The Erie Canal and New York Central Railroad followed the valley 
route and gave a new direction to its history.  Internal improvements 
led to intensive settlement and industrial growth.  While the valley 
has changed in many ways over the years, it still retains one element 
of the past -- its incomparable beauty.

	           Historic New York 
                 Herkimer Home - 1764
       Three miles east of Little Falls on Route 5-S

     General Nicholas Herkimer (1728-1777), one of the first
American-born generation of the Palatine Germans who 
settled the Mohawk Valley, leading farmer-trader of 
the Valley, and hero of the Battle of Oriskany, built 
Herkimer Home in 1764.

     As Brigadier General of the Tryon County Militia,
Herkimer commanded the American forces who marched
to the relief of Fort Stanwix (Rome) when the fort
was besieged during the three-pronged British invasion
of New York in 1777.

	At Oriskany, August 6, 1777, British regulars and 
Indians ambushed Herkimer's troops.  The General was
wounded and died ten days later.  He lies buried beside
the homestead.