Here are a bunch videos you can view to plan your trip along the historic Mohawk Vally trail....
View from the back street
Thursday, September 4, 2025
Historic Travel videos for Mohawk Valley Talk
Here are a bunch videos you can view to plan your trip along the historic Mohawk Vally trail....
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Palatine Church part of the Mohawk Valley History
Rising off the highway it stands on a hill near a spot that was once the settlement of Fox’s Mills. The limestone church dates to 1770 when it was erected by the subscription and the labor of a number of families in the area. The Garoga Creek, which flowed near by, provided waterpower for a number of mills and businesses in the small community, now gone which is today called Palatine Church.
Monday, August 25, 2025
The timeless beauty of Fort Klock Reminds us of our Historic Past
I did a talk last week on the Battle of Oriskany and thought about all the wonderful remnants of that. period of our settlement, That night I thought about the burning of the Mohawk Valley and all the wonderful history day trips we can all take to celebrate our 250th year.
A trip to Old Fort Klock near Johnsville on Route 5, is a great way to revisit New York States historic “past.” The L shaped stone farmhouse served as a Fort in two different Wars, the French and Indian as well as the American Revolution. Built in 1750 by Johannes Klock one of the many Palatine Germans who populated the area, Fort Klock actually saw one of the last skirmishes of the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1780 at the Battle of Klock’s Field, also referred to as “The Great Raid”.
The Fort and grounds have been restored and new farm buildings erected in the Dutch style so that the Fort Klock Restoration, the group that now runs it, can keep it open yearly from Memorial Day to Columbus Day for visitors to learn of its unique history.
It is written that many famous personages of the time including Chief Joseph Brant, General Clinton, Alexander Hamilton and King Hendrick, were all guest within its walls at one time or another.
Fort Klock, was built on a hill overlooking the Mohawk River and just above the King’s Highway (now the railroad bed). For protection against raiding Indians it contained “loop holes” so that it could be fortified by long rifle from within its walls during raids. It served as protection for other settlers in the area during these times. Its formidable stonewalls that are two feet thick could ward off munitions as well as fire.
The story of the many raids that took place from Canada are featured in the book “The Burning of the Valley” by Gavin K.Watt”, a wonderfully researched book with a story and maps of the famous “Burning of the Harvest at Klock’s Field”. Humorously, the book gives us the view from the British– Canadian raiders side. So few of us realize that many of the Mohawk Valley settlers who remained loyal to the Crown had to flee to Canada, leaving their homes behind and that many of these settlers participated in these burning raids as retribution.
Fort Klock (actually there were more than one) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, being listed as – “A site of exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.” And as that, it truly is a place worth visiting!
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Day Trip to Old Fort Johnson
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Old Fort Johnson located on Route 5 near Amsterdam, New York |
Sunday, August 17, 2025
The Deaf White Cat that came in from the Cold!
Whitie
I have had so many cats that have wandered in to get a free meal and in many cases help, I can't remember them all.! One such cat is "Whitie", he is mostly white and is mostly deaf. He wandered in with blood on him and was starving. Nobody claimed the poor fellow and all he wanted was food and a place to sleep! It was the dead of winter this past year and I found he would hide on the back porch under the chair,,,it was freezing out there.
This summer he has turned into a good looking white cat but only wants to eat and be in the house, which is driving my house cats crazy. What I need is to find a home for him. He is fixed now and someone would have a great, friendly, and very gentle cat. Humorously, Whitie is the opposite of my blind black cat Willie... so I wondered if maybe we should start a "disabled cat ranch" down here!
Please if you can find a home for White you will have no trouble... only a food bill and I can have a happy home again in my kitchen! The thing that worries me the most is the upcoming winter weather as once again the porch will be freezing cold and an electric heater will be unaffordable with this years electric rates.
It reminds me of "The Cat who came to Christmas" by Cleveland Amory. I am the "Curmudgeon" that seems to always gets stuck feeling sorry for them, mumbles under my breath, and then finds love from them... Animals unlike people who want everything...new cars, fancy phones, overpriced houses... only want a home and food...and I might add "...they show much love back.
This is the reason we founded our "not for profit. 4 Community Cats Inc". This is our way of helping to control the animal population in our little area and to put a website out with information on vets, neutering and spaying, and health tips..Please help us help the community and cats like White!
4CommunityCats.Inc. We have a go Fund Me Page or you can mail check to 4 Community Cats Inc in care of 5823 Brooklyn Street, Eaton, NY. https://gofund.me/7356f605
We are a NYS and Federal Not for Profit Charity!
Sunday, August 10, 2025
Winston Churchill and his Love of Cats and Me!
Winston Churchill’s mother was Jennie Jerome, a beautiful American who actually has great ties to CNY. The Jerome Family farms were in CNY and the land that my family built its house on was part of the Jerome Farm…home of Jennie’s grandmother.
because of the presence of U Boats. He did send a telegram to the family group assembled…a piece of history I learned from the Wood-Eaton sisters who visited me years back in Eaton. They were relatives and were to be at the reunion and remembered the trip well. The woman had come to Eaton to visit their great grandfather Allen Nelson Wood’s house, the house,,,the house I live in. Isn’t it strange how life is full of so much serendipity?
Great piece of history don't you think...
Friday, August 8, 2025
The Timeless Beauty of Fort Klock
The timeless beauty of Fort Klock reminds us of our historic past
I did a talk last week on the Battle of Oriskany and thought about all the wonderful remnants of that. period of out settlement, That night I thought about the burning of the Mohawk Valley and all the wonderful history day trips we all take to celebrate our 250th year.
A trip to Old Fort Klock near St. Johnsville on Route 5 is a great way to revisit New York States historic “past.” The L shaped stone farmhouse served as a Fort in two different Wars, the French and Indian as well as the American Revolution. Built in 1750 by Johannes Klock one of the many Palatine Germans who populated the area, Fort Klock actually saw one of the last skirmishes of the Revolutionary War on October 19, 1780 at the Battle of Klock’s Field, also referred to as “The Great Raid”.
The Fort and grounds have been restored and new farm buildings erected in the Dutch style so that the Fort Klock Restoration, the group that now runs it, can keep it open yearly from Memorial Day to Columbus Day for visitors to learn of its unique history.
It is written that many famous personages of the time including Chief Joseph Brant, General Clinton, Alexander Hamilton and King Hendrick, were all guest within its walls at one time or another.
Fort Klock, was built on a hill overlooking the Mohawk River and just above the King’s Highway (now the railroad bed). For protection against raiding Indians it contained “loop holes” so that it could be fortified by long rifle from within its walls during raids. It served as protection for other settlers in the area during these times. Its formidable stonewalls that are two feet thick could ward off munitions as well as fire.
The story of the many raids that took place from Canada are featured in the book “The Burning of the Valley” by Gavin K.Watt”, a wonderfully researched book with a story and maps of the famous “Burning of the Harvest at Klock’s Field”. Humorously, the book gives us the view from the British– Canadian raiders side. So few of us realize that many of the Mohawk Valley settlers who remained loyal to the Crown had to flee to Canada, leaving their homes behind and that many of these settlers participated in these burning raids as retribution.
Fort Klock (actually there were more than one) was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, being listed as – “A site of exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States.” And as that, it truly is a place worth visiting!
For more information and it calendar of events you can visit the website http://fortklock.com/