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Amsterdam from the Thruway |
The Mohawk Valley is the only east-west route from the East Coast to the Midwest that doesn't go over any mountains. Before the Europeans, the Indians used this as a main trail. In the Revolutionary War, numerous battles were fought there between our settlers and Indian allies against the Tories, British and their Indian allies, as in "Drums Along the Mohawk". In the 1800's, the State of New York under Governor DeWitt Clinton built the most successful canal in the world through there, which opened up the frontier in western New York to civilization. Later in the 1800's, Cornelius Vanderbilt's New York Central Railroad used it for their four track mainline as the fastest way west from New York City to Chicago via Albany, Syracuse and Buffalo. Because of this, the old New York Central Railroad was the premier railroad and most powerful corporation in its day. Now Amtrak and the CSX R.R. use the line. In the auto age, first NY Route 5, then the Thruway I-90 used the same pass. This is my prefered way to access the Lower Adirondacks and NY Route 30.
Amsterdam is known as the Carpet City, though that's down to one mill now. It is a center for the printing industry and some textiles. Some folks refer to this region as the Central-Leatherstocking Region. Guy Park, along the Canal, is a great place for fishing and picnicking. When you get off the NYS Thruway, I-90 at Exit 27, you'll be on our NY 30. Follow it north through downtown where it's Market Street. NY 5 travelers will hit NY 30 about a mile into the city, it's an easy right turn to NY 30 North. The hill part of the route is steep and not a very good city street. At the top of the hill, past the hospital, you're out of the city and in the Town of Amsterdam as the speed limit goes up to 45 mph. This is the suburban strip part of the road and the last chance for a traveler to hit the big chain stores before going into the Adirondack Park. At the Fulton County Line, the speed limit will go up to 55 mph, all the way to Vails Mill.
| 12010 Zip Code | 518 Area Code |
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Bill's Auto Parts
We've been providing the Amsterdam, Johnstown, Ballston Spa NY area successfully for last 35 years with sound used auto parts 522 Route 67. I mile east of Truax Road on the way to Ballston Spa Town of Amsterdam 12010 Store Hours: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 5 PM Phone: 518-842-6050 or Email Us |
