Mohawk Valley region facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mohawk Valley region
Six-county region
Schenectady Utica
Country	United States
State	New York
Major cities	List Schenectady Utica Rome Little Falls Amsterdam
Area
• Metro	6,984 sq mi (18,088 km2)
Highest elevation at	4,360 ft (1,330 m)
Lowest elevation at	-10 ft (−3.0 m)
• Density	1,065/sq mi (411/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (PDT)

This map shows the Mohawk Valley as green lowlands. It runs east-west across New York State.

See the Mohawk and Hudson valleys from space! This picture was taken from the Space Shuttle Challenger.

A map showing the Mohawk Valley region.

The Mohawk Valley region is an important area in New York State. It surrounds the Mohawk River. This valley is located between the Adirondack Mountains and the Catskill Mountains. In 2010, about 622,133 people lived in the counties of this region. The area also includes parts of other large river systems. One example is the Susquehanna River.

This region has both suburban and rural areas. It surrounds bigger cities like Schenectady, Utica, and Rome. There are also many smaller towns. The Mohawk Valley covers about 5,882 square miles (15,234 square kilometers). It is a key area for farming. To the north, you'll find thick forests. These are part of New York State's Adirondack Park.

The Mohawk Valley is a natural pathway. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the middle of North America. This connection happens through the Hudson Valley. Native American nations, like the Iroquois Confederacy, lived here first. In the 1600s, people from the Dutch settled here. In the 1700s, Germans and Scottish people arrived. Later, in the mid-1800s, many Italians moved to the area. This was due to fast industrial growth.

In the 1700s, the Mohawk Valley was a very important frontier. It was key for politics, military actions, and trade. Colonists like Phillip Schuyler, Nicholas Herkimer, and William Johnson traded with the Iroquois. This led to big rivalries between European countries. These rivalries caused the French and Indian Wars and the American Revolution. New York State saw almost 100 battles during the American Revolution. These included the Battle of Oriskany and the defense of Fort Stanwix. During the war, John Johnson led attacks on valley residents. These attacks were known as the "Burning of the Valleys."

The Erie Canal was finished in 1825. It was the first major waterway. It connected the eastern United States with the western parts for trade.

Why the Mohawk Valley Was Important for History

During the French and Indian War, the Mohawk Valley was very important. For the British, it was a path to the Great Lakes. From there, they could threaten New France. For the French, it was a path to the Hudson Valley. This led right into the heart of British North America. Also, many villages of the Mohawk Nation were in or near the valley. The Mohawks were a key ally for the British during this war.

At the start of the war, Fort Oswego was a main British fort. It was located on Lake Ontario. The French captured and destroyed this fort in 1756. This left the Mohawk Valley open to French attacks. Even though the French did not use this path directly, it changed things. Some Iroquois tribes then sided with the French.

The Mohawk People of the Valley

People have lived in the Mohawk Valley for over 10,000 years. Early inhabitants included the Algonquian people. They later moved from the Fort Orange Dutch trading post area around 1624. However, the main people living here were the Mohawks. The name "Mohawk Valley" came about between 1614 and 1625. This was after Dutch traders set up a post with the Mohawks. The Mohawks became allies and were involved in the Indian Wars.

The Mohawks of the Mohawk Valley call themselves Kanien'keha'ka. This means "People of the Flint." This name comes partly from their creation story. It tells of a powerful flinted arrow. Also, the Mohawk Valley was known for its flint. This flint was used to make tools. This is another reason for their name, "People of the Flint."

Counties in the Mohawk Valley

The Mohawk Valley region includes several counties:

• Schoharie County
• Montgomery County
• Fulton County
• Herkimer County
• Oneida County
• Otsego County

Sometimes, Schoharie County is also considered part of the Mohawk Valley. This is because the Schoharie Creek flows through it. This creek is a major river that joins the Mohawk River. It meets the Mohawk River at Fort Hunter in Montgomery County. Also, the northern border of Schoharie County is very close to the Mohawk River.

Major Cities and Towns in the Valley

Mohawk Valley in Books, Games, and TV

The Mohawk Valley has appeared in many popular stories and shows:

• Drums Along the Mohawk is a historical novel from 1936. Walter D. Edmonds wrote it. The story takes place in the Mohawk Valley during the American Revolutionary War. It shows how complex those times were. A film with the same name was made in 1939. It was directed by John Ford. Some people say the movie simplified the history.
• The Mohawk Valley is an important place in the video game Assassin's Creed III. This game was made by Ubisoft. The game is set during the Revolutionary War. Players control an assassin who helps shape early American history.
• The Mohawk Valley also hosts a beauty pageant. It is a preliminary event for Miss New York and Miss America. You can find out more at Miss Mohawk Valley Scholarship Organization.
• In the TV show The Office, a sign for "Mohawk Valley Center" appears. This is in season 5, episode 16, called "Lecture Circuit." The sign points to the Dunder Mifflin UTICA branch. Utica is a city located within the Mohawk Valley.