The communities in Onondaga County are the westernmost points on New York's Route 20 Scenic Byway. The county's name is derived from the name of the Native American people who live in the area. Today, the Onondaga Nation of the Iroquois Federation has a self-governed reservation of about nine square miles within the county. Through this area, US Route 20 traverses dramatic hill-and-valley terrain and the southern part of the county is Appalachian Plateau.
Madison County is home to quaint villages and rural communities full of heritage. Along Route 20, you'll find Cazenovia on beautiful Cazenovia Lake and home to Cazenovia College, many fine shops, restaurants and historic inns as well as the Lorenzo State Historic Site where you can experience life on a rural estate or attend any number of free events on the historic grounds. Fresh farm traditions abound at the many farm markets including Critz Farms just a few miles south of Cazenovia or Nelson Farms, home to a wealth of made-in-New York food products manufactured on site or from local producers. Peterboro played an important role in the Underground Railroad and Abolition movements. Morrisville is home to Morrisville State College, a hi-tech college with over 80 degree programs. Hamilton provides a unique blend of shopping, dining, arts and education and is home to the Palace Theater and Colgate University. Madison-Bouckville offer a year-round antique venue with more than 30 dealers dedicated to antiques. Once a year in August, the Madison-Bouckville Antique Week draws more than 2,000 dealers for a week long show along one two-mile stretch of Route 20 for the largest antique show in New York State. A must while visiting Madison Bouckville is a meal at the historic Hotel Solsville or Ye Olde Landmark Tavern. Plan to spend days and nights in Madison County.
The Route 20 Scenic Byway has two communities in southern Oneida County: Bridgewater and Sangerfield. Just north of Sangerfield on Route 12 is the charming Village of Waterville, through which the Sangerfield River flows. Within Sangerfield is Tassle Hill, the highest point in Oneida County, climbing 1,942 feet. Elsewhere in Sangerfield is Nine-Mile Swamp, the historic home of the infamous Loomis Gang of the 19th century which terrorized Central New York.
Bridgewater is largely an agricultural community. It is the birthplace of Stephen Moulton Babcock, called the "Father of Scientific Dairying". Also in Bridgewater, the Western Star Lodge is the oldest Masonic Lodge in Oneida County, chartered in 1797, with such prominent signers of its charter as Robert Livingston, one of the five drafters of the Declaration of Independence. You'll also see large Victorian homes that are now bed and breakfasts, restaurants and antique stores. Just a bit north of Bridgewater on Route 8, on a six-acre private lake is the Lake Chalet Campground and motel, complete with a flowing brook and fishing. Chittning Pond, adjacent to Route 20 and four miles west of the Village of Bridgewater, has a state boat launch.
Herkimer County is a treasure trove of history and scenic beauty. The trip along Route 20 takes visitors through two communities in the south of Herkimer County: West Winfield and Warren. From the 1869/70 history of West Winfield is this description: "West Winfield contains two churches, the West Winfield Academy, a bank, a grist mill, a saw mill, a tannery, a cheese box factory, a newspaper office and about 400 inhabitants". Today West Winfield is a quiet community home to the local schools of Winfield Township and a beautiful community park, but you'll want to explore some more. Along Route 20, Sunset Hill in Warren -- known as the Mrs. Eugene D. Stocker Estate -- is an historic home complex with a main house, guest house and other buildings designed by Dwight James Baum for Mrs. Stocker's seasonal estate. What triggered the development of large valley villages and good transport to the east and west in Herkimer County was The Erie Canal. The county's oldest industry, Remington Arms, is still a major player in the county's economy. Herkimer County is also the home of a large section of the Erie Canal and world famous Herkimer Diamonds found at Herkimer Diamond Mines and the much smaller Ace of Diamonds Mine.
Once you enter Otsego County on Route 20, you have found a place where culture meets with applause & world class opera, national art exhibitions, theater, and concerts. Here, past meets present, from hands-on history museums to baseball games, historic sites and New York State's first cuisine trail, the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. The Route 20 Scenic Byway takes you through Richfield Springs, East Springfield and Cherry Valley. And from Route 20, make time to take an excursion into the Villages of Cherry Valley and Cooperstown. Richfield Springs, celebrating 150 years in 2011, is home to three national historic districts. In the 19th century, this was a resort community known for its mineral springs. Stop to taste the famous sulphur water from the fountain in Spring Park and enjoy the unusual, rustic-style bandstand. Canadarago Lake is just south of the village and is the second largest lake in the Susquehanna watershed with great fishing and a public beach.
As you re-enter Route 20 from Cherry Valley, turn east on Route 20 and almost immediately you'll see The TePee, a 60 year old attraction and gift shop and an "original" to Route 20. Visitors to Schoharie County have long called it "picture-perfect", and for good reason. The view is up close to the rolling pastures and fields brimming with nature's bounty. Schoharie County is also known as "New York's Land of Caves" and is home to the largest cave in the Northeast, Howe Caverns and the less well-known Secret Caverns, both in the hamlet of Howes Cave off Route 7.
Montgomery County has so much to offer from our natural beauty to our abundant agriculture to our deep-rooted history. We are a county of rich history - from Native American culture to Revolutionary War times to the rise of the Erie Canal – all highlighted at our historic and heritage sites and museums.
Montgomery County, located in New York’s Mohawk Valley, was home to many Native Americans including Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American Saint in the United States and Canada. Colonial times and our Revolutionary War heritage are important eras in our County’s history as well as our nation’s. Many of our attractions focus on these time periods including Fort Klock, Fort Plain Museum, Old Fort Johnson, Walter Elwood Museum, the Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, and the National Kateri Tekakwitha Shrine.
History, Victorian period architecture, and Federal-style barns can be found in Schenectady County. You can also enjoy outdoor adventures year round including hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, and even skydiving.
