Madison County, New York

Abell Farmhouse and Barn Albany Street Historic District Annas Farmhouse Beckwith Farmhouse Brick House Brown's Hall Canal Town Museum Canastota Methodist Church Canastota Public Library Cazenovia Village Historic District Cedar Cove Chappell Farmhouse Chenango Canal Summit Level Chittenango Landing Dry Dock Complex Chittenango Pottery Cobblestone House Comstock, Zephnia, Farmhouse Coolidge Stores Building Cottage Lawn Crandall Farm Complex DeFerriere House Evergreen Acres Fenner Baptist Church First National Bank of Morrisville Hamilton Village Historic District Hillcrest House at 107 Stroud Street House at 115 South Main Street House at 205 North Main Street House at 233 James Street House at 313 North Main Street House at 326 North Peterboro Street House at 328 North Peterboro Street Lehigh Valley Railroad Depot Lenox District No. 4 Schoolhouse Lorenzo Main-Broad-Grove Streets Historic District Maples, The Meadows Farm Complex Middle Farmhouse Morrisville Engine House Morrisville Public Library Mount Hope Reservoir Nelson Methodist Episcopal Church Nelson Welsh Congregational Church Niles Farmhouse Notleymere Old Biology Hall Old Madison County Courthouse Old Trees Oneida Armory Oneida Community Limited Administration Building Oneida Community Mansion House Oneida Downtown Commercial Historic District Oneida Lake Congregational Church Ormonde Parker Farmhouse Peterboro Land Office Peterboro Street Elementary School Rippleton Schoolhouse Roberts, Judge Nathan S., House Rolling Ridge Farm Seventh Day Baptist Church Shattuck House Smith, Adon, House Smith, Gerrit, Estate Smithfield Presbyterian Church South Peterboro Street Commercial Historic District South Peterboro Street Residential Historic District St. Paul's Church Sweetland Farmhouse Tall Pines The Hickories United Church of Canastota Upenough US Post Office-Canastota US Post Office-Hamilton US Post Office-Oneida Wampsville Presbyterian Church Wheeler House Complex York Lodge

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
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.
Brief timeline of 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.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Madison County, New York.

Audiobooks about the history of New York.