Land before the Revolutionary War
As America celebrates its 250th year in 2026, come with us as we explore the 26.2-mile Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway, a National Scenic Byway, in the eastern part of upstate New York from Schenectady to Waterford and along the Mohawk River. The land that is now the town of Colonie was once owned by Mohicans and the community of Cohoes is on land bought in 1630 from Native Americans by the Dutch West India Company. Clifton Park was settled in 1660 by settlers coming north from Albany and Schenectady. Schenectady was almost wiped out in 1690 during King William’s War between the English and French. Twelve original pre-Revolutionary Dutch Colonial style homes still stand there in what is the densest collection of period homes in the United States.
Early farmers around Scotia grew corn to make brooms and later developed crops of grain, hay, straw, potatoes, and fruits and vegetables. The Mohawk River provided sustenance for both crops and settlers.
What is a “Towpath”?
As agriculture continued to develop along the Mohawk River Valley, commerce grew and movement of goods was accomplished by barges moving up and down the Mohawk River. Mules were led on an earthen pathway parallel to the river as they towed the barges. Thus, the name, “Mohawk Towpath.” It is this path, and the area’s economic growth it provided along the Mohawk River, that this byway celebrates.
Revolutionary War Years
The Mohawk River Valley was an important transportation corridor during the Revolutionary War as well as it was labelled the “breadbasket” supplying Continental Army troops with food. The natural river was crucial for controlling the interior of New York and limiting the access between New England and the southern colonies. Because of this, the lush, green, fertile river valley saw some of the most brutal fighting with the burning of farms and massacres. Some of the key battles fought were the Battle of Oriskany (1777), Siege of Fort Stanwix (1777) and Battle of Klock’s Field (1780). To ease movement along the river, the Old London Road was built in 1755 to help move troops and provisions from Albany to Ticonderoga.
Engineering Feats
There was one problem with travel on the Mohawk River and that was the Cohoes Falls with its 90-foot drop making it impossible for barges to navigate either way . In 1775, a series of 16 locks were created to lift watercraft 169 feet from the Hudson to the Mohawk River. In 1915, the original locks were replaced with the Waterford Flight of Locks. This engineering feat of locks allowed the area to thrive with agriculture, ice harvesting, sawmills, and grist mills until the mid-1990’s.
Another engineering feat was the construction of the Erie Canal in 1825. It generally runs west following the Mohawk River starting from Waterford to the open waters of Lake Erie and connects New York City with the Great Lakes. It took advantage of the Mohawk River gap in the Appalachian Mountains.
Large Company Relocates to Mohawk River Valley
In 1887, Thomas Edison moved the Edison Machine Works to Schenectady and in 1892, the company became known as General Electric Company. Over the years, it developed multiple divisions: Aerospace, Transportation, Energy, Healthcare, Lighting, Locomotives, Appliances, and Finance. It was one of the original 12 companies listed on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Places to Visit
Stop into the Hurst Harbor Visitor Center in Waterford and learn about early farming to the Revolutionary War period. The Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve is 700 acres of wetlands and an excellent area for birding. There are over 200 known bird species to be found. Take the cell phone tour with 20 stops and the extended bird trail. Other recreational opportunities include biking, hiking, boating, fishing, golf, and winter sports. Enjoy the views from Falls View Park in Cohoes or at any of the locks.
For more information:
National Scenic Byway Association/Travel Byways (NSBA)
NSBA Byway Journey Blog (2025)
Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway Coalition, Inc.