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WATERFORD

NEW YORK


Eagle Tavern Site

Site of the colonial Eagle Tavern, a leading haven of area rebels during the American Revolution and operated by Gerardus Schoonhoven. Famous guests included Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison.

Eagle Tavern – As you travel down Second Street, there is an Eagle Tavern marker between two homes on the right. The tavern was a colonial watering hole. 

A little further down and across US Route 4 is a marker on the left that briefly explains the origin of the town’s name. 

Waterford

A colonial ford across the Mohawk River from which Waterford derives its name.

Waterford Battery – At the end of Second Street is an area called “The Battery.” It can be reached by bearing left at the old train bridge and squeezing between the bridge and a house. This area is also the location of the "water ford" that crossed the fourth branch of the Mohawk River to Peebles Island. 

At the end of the battery area is a point where the Mohawk River first meets the Hudson River. This is also the point where both the Erie Canal and the Champlain Canal begin. 

Memorial Park – Following First Street back to US Route 4, you will come to two parks along the Hudson River on each side of Route 4. In the park on the south side is another Knox Trail marker. When Knox reached Waterford in the winter of 1775-1776, he was delayed because the ice was not thick enough to cross the Mohawk River. After drilling holes in the ice and allowing water to flow over the top to thicken it, he was able to continue his mission to Boston. 

Village Historic Sites 

Early Water Ford was a fording or crossing place where the Mohawk River slowed to narrow streams around small islands. Settled in 1622 by Dutch fur traders and trappers, it was a base for trade with the Mahican Indians who lived on Peebles Island. By the early 1700’s, Waterford’s position, the farthest point of sloop navigation on the Hudson River, had established it as an active port… 

In the park on the north side of US Route 4 is a marker about Waterford’s past.


Enroute to Peebles Island, NY

123rd Street, Troy -- Directly across the river, you can see Peebles Island, the beginning of both the Erie Canal and Champlain Canal and Waterford.  


Onto Peebles Island

Back to a Revolutionary Day