This website best viewed with Internet Explorer Browser

 

Migration Home button3 150x75 copy

Top of page

The 
Catskill
Turnpike

Pioneer Woman  (paleblue)

Introduction

Road Trip

Internet Resources

Image Gallery

 

 

 

Introduction

Introduction

 

 

     During the later half of the 18th century settlers from Connecticut and Massachusetts began to migrate west beyond the older settlements that lay along the Hudson River.  By 1792 areas in central New York State that now lie within Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties began to attract many new settlers.  However, the rugged topography of the region, combined with accessibility problems, hindered any large-scale migration.

     The routes of travel to the western part of New York prior to the opening of the Erie Canal primarily consisted of the Mohawk and Genesee roads to Lake Erie or the Catskill and Jericho Turnpikes.  Both of the latter routes crossed the

Catskill Mountains to the Susquehanna River.  The Catskill route originally ended at Unadilla then called Wattles Ferry.  The Jericho route commenced near the town of Kingston on the Hudson River and ended at Bainbridge then referred to as Jericho or Jerico.  From here early migrants would follow the northern branch of the river to the Finger Lakes Region and the southern branch down into northern Pennsylvania and eventually to the headwaters of the Allegheny River at Coudersport, Pennsylvania.   By 1808 the Catskill Turnpike had extended an additional 70 miles from Bainbridge to Ithaca, New York and still later the road known as the Catskill Turnpike had advanced west for another 50 miles to the Cohocton River at Bath, New York.     The entire route of the road known as the “Catskill Turnpike” actually encompasses two distinct roads chartered by the State of New York.  The first an oldest section is more correctly known as the “Susquehanna Turnpike” which  formally came into being when the state assembly passed an act in

Map of the Catskill Turnpike

The Catskill Turnpike - entire route TN

Click on the thumbnail map to view a full-sized image

1790 authorizing construction of a road from the Hudson River to the Susquehanna River. Later the road was authorized as a turnpike corporation by an act of Legislature passed April 1st 1800.  The western part of the Old Catskill Turnpike also known as the “Jericho-Bath Turnpike Extension” was established as a public highway by an act of the legislature in 1804. 

arrow up lt blue

Winding Road 1

Road Trip

Road Trip

Winding Road 2

If you have traced your 18th or 19th century ancestors to any of the counties listed below it is quite possible that they traveled to that location along this migration route.  Therefore you may find additional relevant information about your ancestral lineages by taking the following road trip through these localities.

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

COUNTY (Road Trip Segment)

Albany County, NY (1)

Broome County, NY (2,3)

Chemung County, NY (3)

Chenango county, NY (2)

Cortland County, NY (3)

 

Delaware County, NY (2)

Greene County, NY (1)

Otsego County, NY (2)

Schoharie County, NY (1)

Schuyler County, NY (3,4)

Steuben County, NY (4)

Susquehanna County, PA (2)

Tioga County, NY (3)

Tompkins County, NY (3,4)

Ulster County, NY (1)

Yates County, NY (4)

Genealogy Road Trip

This “Genealogy Road Trip” is divided into segments that require between 1 and 2 hours of driving time.

The entire 165 mile journey should take approximately 4 hours to drive at 50 miles per hour.  Within each segment you will find links to resources* that will assist you in planning a successful and enjoyable experience.  The following maps are designed to show a close-up view of the counties and communities along this migration route.  Relevant county seats are designated with aStar yellow-green 32x30, beginning and end points of each segment are noted with a Bullet (red ball) dk green2 and historical sites with a purple circle.

 

SEGMENT 1

 Catskill, NY to

West Harpersfield, NY

SEGMENT 2

 West Harpersfield, NY

to Coventry, NY

SEGMENT 3

 Coventry, NY

to Ithaca, NY

SEGMENT 4

 Ithaca, NY

to Bath, NY

SOURCES:  (1) Wikipedia;   (2) The USGenWeb Project;   (3) National Register of Historical Places

228149- 4

Segment 1

SEGMENT 1

Catskill, NY to

West Harpersfield, NY

228149- 2

Driving Distance = 57 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.50 hours

Our road trip along the Old Catskill Turnpike starts in the picturesque river village of Catskill at the Greene County Vistors Center located just off Exit 21 on the New York State Thruway (I-87. 

From here take Route 23B (Mohican Trail) west towards Cairo.  Continue through Cairo on 23 B (Main Street) just out side of the village take the right fork to route 84 which will become Lincoln Avenue and follow across route 23 the intersection at Route 145.  Turn left and take route 145 through East Durham towards Durham.  At Durham turn left onto County Route 22 which will become County Route 20.  Proceed on rt. 20 towards West Durham. Between West Durham and Manorkill the road is also marked at Durham Road. Just past West Durham you will enter Schoharie County.  At Manorkill turn left onto Route 3 (Potter Mountain Road) going west towards Conesville. At Conesville the our route becomes State Route 990V. The Old Catskill Turnpike follows along the Manor Kill Creek from here to West Conesville where it empties into the Schoharie Reservoir.  Continue on Route 990V around the northern part of the reservoir to the village of Gilboa.  Here you will cross the Schoharie Creek and continue to the intersection at State Route 30.  About 1/4th of a mile turn right onto CR 14 (South Gilboa Road).  Just after you cross over the Bear Kill at Mayham Pond you will intersect with

CTP - 1 TN copy

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

SR 23.  Turn right towards the village of Stamford in Delaware County.  Follow the signs for SR 23 through Stamford towards Harpersfield.  A few miles west of Harpersfield you will arrive West Harpersfield and the end of the first segment of your road trip along the Old Catskill Turnpike.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Albany County, NY

Albany County, NY

Albany County, NY

Greene County, NY

Greene County, NY

Greene County, NY

Schoharie County, NY

Schoharie County, NY

Schoharie County, NY

Arrow (red up)

228149- 4

Segment 2

SEGMENT 2

West Harpersfield, NY

to Coventry, NY

228149- 2

Driving Distance = 55 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

At West Harpersfield turn left onto CR 33 (Bloomville-West Harpersfield Road) towards the community of Kortright Center.  At West Kortright intersection our route will change to CH 12.  A few feet past the intersection take a left turn that will put you on Turnpike Road.  Eventually this back country road will become Elk Creek Road then Catskill Turnpike Road just east of Meredith where you will cross SH28 and continue straight on Catskill Turnpike Road until it intersects with CH 14 (Delhi-Leonta Road) near West Meredith. Turn right onto CH14 and continue through Leonta where you will join SH357. Along this part of the route the Old Catskill Road follows along the Treadwell Creek.  At Leonta turn left to follow SH357 and follow along the Ouleout Creek through Franklin and on to where the creek empties into the  at the Susquehanna River at the village of Unadilla.  Unadilla is located at the extreme southern tip of Ostego County.  After crossing the river the SH357 intersects with SH7 turn left here and go through Unadilla and follow the signs through Unadilla towards Bainbridge in Chenango County.  In the center of

CTP - 2TN copy

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

Bainbridge turn right onto SH 206 (West Main Street) and travel through West Bainbridge and Coventryville to Coventry.  Your arrival at the village of Coventry marks the end of the second segment of this road trip along the Old Catskill Turnpike.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Broome County, NY

Broome County, NY

Broome County, NY

Chenango County, NY

Chenango County, NY

Chenango County, NY

Delaware County, NY

Delaware County, NY

Delaware County, NY

Otsego County, NY

Otsego County, NY

Otsego County, NY

Susquehanna County, PA

Susquehanna County, PA

Susquehanna County, PA

Arrow (red up)

228149- 4

Segment 3

SEGMENT 3

Coventry, NY

to Ithaca, NY

228149- 2

Driving Distance = 50 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.25 hours

From Coventry continue on SH206 to the village of Greene on the Chenango River.  (On your left just past Greene note right fork onto Turnpike road.  This is a remnant of the old Catskill Road that is a dead end about ˝ mile in.)   From Greene follow SH 206 through Genegantslet.  At the crossing of Indian Brook you will enter Broome County.  Just past Triangle see a road on your left called “Old Catskill Turnpike”. (This is another remnant of the old road that is barely Ľ mile in length before it returns to SH206).  Follow this road on into the village of Whitney Point located on the Tioughnioga River.  Here you will turn right onto US 11 north towards Lisle. (To follow the old road as closely as possible turn right at Hemingway Road then left at Kales Hill Road  to Dorchester Park on the east bank of the Whitney Point Reservoir.  Prior to the creation of this lake the old road crossed over the Otselic River and continued on to Lisle. To get around this body of water one must proceed south on SR 26 to the bridge at Whitney Point.  Once over the bridge turn right at US11 then turn right onto CR 77 (Keibel Road) to Johnson Hill Road on the left. Unfortunately this road is now dissected by I 81 which will require another detour. The west end of Johnson Hill Road can be found to the right on US11just north of the bridge over the Tioughnioga River at Lisle.) 

Transition onto SR 79 where it  leaves US 11 at the bridge into Lisle.  Follow SR 79 along Dudley Creek into

CTP - 3TN copy

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

Tioga County and through East Richford and on into the hamlet of Richford.  Continue on SR 79 from here and cross over the west branch of the Owego Creek where you will enter Tompkins County.  Here SR 79 is called Slaterville Road.  Continue on this road through Slaterville Springs and into the city of Ithaca, New York.

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Broome County, NY

Broome County, NY

Broome County, NY

Chemung County, NY

Chemung County, NY

Chemung County, NY

Cortland County, NY

Cortland County, NY

Cortland County, NY

Schuyler County, NY

Schuyler County, NY

Schuyler County, NY

Tioga County, NY

Tioga County, NY

Tioga County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Arrow (red up)

228149- 4

Segment 4

SEGMENT 4

Ithaca, NY

to Bath, NY

228149- 2

Driving Distance = 49 miles;   Driving Time = approximately 1.00 hours

Leave Ithaca via SR 79 (West State Street) which will transition into Hector Street and then the Mecklenburg Road towards Mecklenberg and into Schuyler County.  At Mecklenberg turn left onto Turnpike Road and follow until it intersects with SR 79.  Turn right and continue on SR 79 through Bennettsburg and into the village of Burdett.  In Burdett follow the signs for SR 79 which will turn left onto Main Street.  Continue on SR79 until it joins SR 414 near the east bank of Seneca Lake.  Follow SR 414 into Watkins Glen.  At the intersection with SR 14, continue straight across where the road becomes CR 28.  Just outside of town turn left onto CR 23 (Mud Lake-Hammondsport Road).

Follow CR 23 through Tyrone until it intersects with CR 24.  Here you will continue straight onto CR 114 (Birdseye-Waneta Road) and into Steuben County.  At the intersection with CR 87 (Hammondsport-Wayne Road) turn left and continue on until CR 87 transitions onto SR 54 near the southeastern bank of Keuka Lake.  From here follow SR 54 through Hermitage Cold Springs and on into Bath, New York located on the Cohocton River.

CTP- 4TN copy

Click on the map to view a full-sized image

General Profile

Genealogy & History Resources

Historical Sites

Schuyler County, NY

Schuyler County, NY

Schuyler County, NY

Steuben County, NY

Steuben County, NY

Steuben County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Tompkins County, NY

Yates County, NY

Yates County, NY

Yates County, NY

Arrow (red up)

arrow up lt blue

WWW (tan left)

Internet Resources

Internet 
Resources

WWW (tan right)

The Google search engine

 button  and following web

sites    may     provide    you

Google Search (yellow)

with additional information

to assist with your research

about   this   topic. 

General Resources

·    American Migration Patterns

·    Migration Routes, Roads & Trails

·    Brethren Life: Migrations

·    Trails West - TNGenWeb

·    Historical U.S. roads and trails - Wikipedia

·    U.S. Historical Maps - Perry-Castańeda Collection

·    Early American Roads and Trails

·    Frontier Trails: A Brief History

·    MIGRATIONS.org

·    ROOTS / MIGRATIONS

·    American Migration Fact Sheets

·    Map guide to American migration routes,1735-1815

·    Migration Book Store

·    Early Migration Routes

·    The Overland Trail Links--Ancient Indian Trails

·    American Westward Expansion

·    Migration Message Boards – Ancestry.com

·    The African-American Migration Experience 

·    Migration Trailsmap of many U.S. trails

·    Migration Information & Maps By Ethnic Group

Topic Specific Resources

·    The Story of the Susquehanna Turnpike

·    The Catskill Turnpike  

·    Susquehanna Turnpike.org

·    The Catskill Turnpike in Stage Coach & Tavern Days

·    The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path

·    DCHA Tollhouse

Download a free 2-page Fact Sheet

Link 1 (script)

about American migration routes

library_clipart1

 

Family Historian's
Reference Library

library_clipart1 right

The following Link will take you to our library of genealogy reference books.   Here you will find books about historic American roads, trails, and paths.  In addition, there are texts that pertain to ethnic and religion groups, history, geography as well as other books that will assist you with your research.

 

This Link will take you to our

Research Library - button 1

collection of reference books.  

arrow up lt blue

Image Gallery

Image Gallery

During our research we have collected images and photographs that are of general interest to a variety of historic American roads, trails and migration.  Some of them are presented on this website because we believe they tend to provide the reader with additional information which may aid in the understanding of this topic as well as our ancestors past lives.

Catskill Tpk

Catskill Turnpike milestone located at Franklin, NY

Use this LINK to see the “Image

Image Galleries - Road Trip

 Gallerythat pertain to this topic.

If you have any photographs or maps or other images relating to historic American 
roads, trails and migration routes we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.

searching the web (Purple)

Free Image Search
help from Google

searching the web (Purple)

Use the power of Google™ to find more interesting images about this topic. This button will link you to the Google Images Search   page.   Enter   the   topic   you   are

Google Image Search Search

searching in the box and click “Search Images”. At the “Images” display page you will see the image, as well as the website of which it is associated.

arrow up lt blue

About this webpage

About This Webpage

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~waldron/Mail1B0.gif-- Email us with your comments or questions. 

We do like to hear from others who are researching the same people and surnames.

We need your help to keep growing!  So please Email coolmailus your

photos, stories, and other appropriate information about this topic.

 

RULES OF USE
You are welcome to download any information on this page that does not cite a copyright. 

We only ask that if you have a personal website please create a link to our Home Page.

-- This webpage was last updated on --

01 October 2012

Diggin for Roots (2 shovels)

arrow up lt blue

Diggin for Roots (2 shovels)