Otsego County, New York

All Saints Chapel and Morris Family Burial Ground Baker Octagon Barn Bassett Family House Beardslee Farm Bresee Hall Chapin Memorial Church Cherry Valley Village Historic District Church Street Historic District Cooperstown Historic District Cooperstown Historic District (Boundary Increase) Cornfield, The East Main Street Historic District East Springfield Union School Fairchild Mansion Ferris, Warren, House Fly Creek Grange No. 844 Fly Creek Historic District Fly Creek Methodist Church Ford Block Gilbertsville Historic District Gilbertsville Historic District (Boundary Increase) Gilbertsville Water Works Glimmerglass Historic District Hartwick Historic District Hyde Hall Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Kenyon Residences Lindesay Patent Rural Historic District (Boundary Increase) Lunn-Musser Octagon Barn Major's Inn and Gilbert Block Mann, Andrew, Inn Mathewson-Bice Farmhouse and Mathewson Family Cemetery Middlefield District No. 1 School Middlefield Hamlet Historic District Morris Village Historic District Morris-Lull Farm Municipal Building North, Benjamin D., House Old Hartwick Village Cemetery Old Post Office Oneonta Armory Oneonta Downtown Historic District Oneonta Theatre Otsdawa Baptist Church Otsego County Courthouse Roseboom Historic District Rutherford House South Worcester Historic District Springfield Center Elementary School St. Mary's Episcopal Church Complex St. Stephen’s Chapel Stonehouse Farm Sunnyside Swart-Wilcox House Tepee, The Tianderah Tunnicliff-Jordan House Twentieth Century Steam Riding Gallery No. 409 Unadilla Forks School Unadilla Village Historic District Unadilla Waterworks US Post Office-Cooperstown US Post Office-Richfield Springs Vibber, Lemuel F., House Walnut Street Historic District West Burlington Memorial Church West Main Street-West James Street Historic District White House, The Wilber, George I., House Women's Community Club of South Valley Worcester Historic District Wright, Roswell, House Zion Episcopal Church Complex and Harmony Cemetery

Abner Adams Adam HelmerÂ’s Run Authentic Oneonta Trolley Tracks Baptist Church Baptist Society Blacksmith Shop Brighton Burlington Flats Honor Roll Burlington Flats Honor Roll Camp and Fort Cardiff Giant Cattown Road Cherry Valley Massacre Cherry Valley Museum Cherry Valley Museum Cherry Valley Museum Civil War Monument Civilian Conservation Corps Clinton's Dam Colliersville Dam Colonel Alden Felled Council Rock Desert Storm Veterans Memorial District No. 1 School - Middlefield District School Doubleday Field Emancipation Day First Church First Presbyterian Church Fork Factory French War - 1757 Ganowauges Garfield Farm General Clinton's Dam General James Clinton George Croghan Gilbertsville, NY Hartwick Historic District Hartwick Seminary Hartwick War Memorial Hyde Hall Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Hyde Hall Covered Bridge Indian Grave Jedediah Peck John SleeperÂ’s Log House John Tunnicliff Jr Laurens, NY War Memorial Lieutenant Wormuth Killed Limestone Mansion Marcus Wells Michael L. Mayne Middlefield Hamlet Historical District Middlefield War Memorial Mill & Water Power Morris Village Historic District Murphy Home Natty Bumppo Oldest Church Otsego Hall Pomeroy Place Richfield Hotel Routes of the Armies of General John Sullivan and General James Clinton Seminary Church Site of Herkimer Farm Site of the First National Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Spring House Sunken Island Susan B. Anthony Swart-Wilcox House The Lost Peace The Thomas R. Proctor Clock The White House Toll Gate Town of Edmeston WWII Roll of Honor Town of Maryland Civil War Memorial Tunnicliff Inn Upper Susquehanna West Burlington NY Honor Roll Westford Veterans Monument William Hulbert William Yates Worcester "Natty Bumpo"
Otsego County, located in upstate New York, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mohawk, Oneida, and Iroquois Nations. These tribes thrived in the area, utilizing the natural resources provided by the nearby lakes, rivers, and forests.

In the late 18th century, European settlers began to establish permanent settlements in Otsego County. The most notable of these was the founding of the village of Cooperstown in 1786 by William Cooper, a prominent industrialist. Cooperstown quickly grew into a thriving community and became the county seat in 1791.

During the early 19th century, Otsego County experienced significant economic growth, largely due to the construction of the Erie Canal. The canal, completed in 1825, provided a vital transportation route for goods and people, linking Otsego County to the rest of New York State and the Midwest. This led to an expansion in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade within the county.

Throughout the 20th century, Otsego County continued to evolve and adapt to changing economic and social trends. The establishment of educational institutions, such as Hartwick College and the State University of New York at Oneonta, brought a renewed focus on education and academic research to the area. The county also became a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the world to explore its natural beauty and historical attractions.

Today, Otsego County remains a vibrant community, blending its rich history with modern amenities and opportunities. It is known for its picturesque landscapes, renowned museums, and cultural events. The county's commitment to preserving its heritage is evident in the historic buildings, monuments, and museums that can still be found throughout the area. Otsego County continues to be a place where both residents and visitors can appreciate its past while looking towards a promising future.
Brief timeline of the history of Otsego County, New York:

  • 1791 - Otsego County is established as one of the original counties in New York State.
  • 1785 - The village of Otsego, later renamed Cooperstown, is founded by William Cooper.
  • 1794 - Cooperstown becomes the county seat of Otsego County.
  • 1825 - The Erie Canal is completed, providing a transportation route through the county.
  • 1839 - The Farmers' Museum is established in Cooperstown to preserve and interpret rural artifacts.
  • 1852 - The Brooklyn Academy of Music is established in Cooperstown.
  • 1871 - The Fenimore Art Museum is founded in Cooperstown, showcasing American folk art and American Indian art.
  • 1939 - The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opens in Cooperstown.
  • 1950s - The construction of the I-88 highway improves transportation access to Otsego County.
  • 2002 - The Cooperstown Dreams Park, a youth baseball facility, opens in Hartwick.
  • 2018 - Cooperstown celebrates its 200th anniversary as a village.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Otsego County, New York.