Historical Markers in
Madison County, New York

1822-1911 A Busy, Bustling Boatyard A Cannery at the Crosswaters Amelia Earhart Atwell's Corners Baptist Church Baptist Church Bruce Opera House C&C Railroad Canal Industry Canal Street Canal Town Canaseraga Canastota's Basin Canastota's First Commercial Activity Occurred Along the Canal Basin of the Erie Canal Canastota's Lift Bridge Carmen Basilio Cazenovia Chenango Canal Chenango Canal Col. Joshua Leland Congregational Church - 1814 Craine Brothers Crazy Luce Deruyter Dam Dry Docks: Canal Service Centers Eaton Church Enlarging the Erie Canal Fanny Forester Feeding the Canal Fire Bell First Hop Yard Founders Park Gorton Turtle Grain Pits Great Auto Race Home of Cyrus and Elizabeth Heminway Finney Home of Milton Delano Industrial Area Industrial Growth / Canalway Trail Lamplighters Cart Lateral Canal Lenox and Canastota War Memorial Lenox Anti-Slavery Society Lest We Forget Lewis Adamo Locust Lodge Madison County War Veterans Memorial Madison Hall Morse House Morse Mill Dam N.Y. State School of Agriculture New Woodstock War Memorial Nichols Pond Park Old Union School Oneida Indian Village Wall Oneida Stone of 1615 Parade Grounds Peterboro Street Lift Bridge Quality Hill Green Reuben Perkins S&CV Railroad Seventh Day Baptist Church Site of Champlain Battle Smith Tavern Temperance House The Erie Canal The Loomis Gang The Syracuse & Chenango Valley Railroad Toll Gate No. 1 Toll Gate No. 2 Town Of Lenox WWII Memorial Town of Stockbridge World War Memorial Welsh Church West Eaton Veterans Memorial WTM Engine Works
The first woman to vote in a United States presidential election was a resident of Rochester, New York named Susan B. Anthony. She cast her ballot in the 1872 election, for which she was arrested and fined.
New York random facts
Madison County, located in central New York State, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by the Oneida Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy, who were skilled farmers and traders. European settlers began arriving in the area in the early 18th century, and the region saw significant growth with the construction of the Erie Canal in the 19th century.

In 1794, the Sullivan Expedition opened up the area to settlement as it forced the Oneida Nation to cede their lands. This led to the formation of Madison County in 1806, named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. The county soon saw an influx of settlers, primarily from New England, who established towns and farms.

A major turning point in the county's history came with the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825. The canal brought economic prosperity to Madison County, stimulating trade and facilitating the transportation of goods. This led to the growth of towns along the canal, such as Canastota and Oneida, which became thriving industrial centers due to their strategic locations.

Madison County played a significant role in the abolitionist movement during the mid-19th century. Many residents actively supported the Underground Railroad, which helped escaped slaves flee to Canada and freedom. Peterboro, a small town in the county, was the home of abolitionist Gerrit Smith, who provided financial support to prominent activists such as Frederick Douglass.

Overall, Madison County's history is characterized by its agricultural heritage, industrial growth, and contributions to social causes. Today, the county remains a vibrant community, embracing its past while looking towards the future.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Madison County, New York.

  • 1788 - Madison County is formed from parts of Chenango and Herkimer counties.
  • 1795 - The county seat is established in the village of Cazenovia.
  • 1807 - The town of Hamilton is created.
  • 1817 - Construction of the Erie Canal begins, which will greatly benefit trade and transportation in the county.
  • 1839 - The Great New England Airship Company is founded in Madison County.
  • 1856 - Colgate University, a prominent private liberal arts college, is established in the town of Hamilton.
  • 1924 - The Earlville Opera House, a historic structure, is built in the village of Earlville.
  • 1946 - The Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum opens, showcasing the history of the Erie Canal.
  • 1978 - The Peterboro Civil War Weekend is first celebrated in the town of Smithfield.