Vischer Ferry, New York Explained

Vischer Ferry
Settlement Type:hamlet
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:New York
Subdivision Type2:Region
Subdivision Name2:Capital District
Subdivision Type3:County
Subdivision Name3:Saratoga
Pushpin Map:New York
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Vischer Ferry within the state of New York
Coordinates:42.7972°N -73.8283°W
Established Title:Settled
Established Date:1670
Elevation Ft:213
Population Density Km2:auto
Timezone1:EST
Utc Offset1:-5
Timezone1 Dst:EDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-4
Postal Code Type:ZIP Code
Postal Code:12148 (Rexford)
Area Code:518

Vischer Ferry is a hamlet in the town of Clifton Park in Saratoga County, New York, United States, along the Mohawk River.

History

Vischer Ferry is named for the family of Nicholas Vischer, who built a house beside the river in 1735.[1] At that time the Mohawk Valley was claimed by the Iroquois League and by the British Province of New York. The American Revolutionary War destroyed Iroquois settlements in the valley and established the State of New York.

The site became known as Vischer's Ferry after Nicholas Vischer's son, Eldert Vischer, opened a rope ferry at the site in 1790. The ferry connected Ferry Drive on the north shore to Ferry Road on the opposite bank at Niska Isle.[2] By 1800, a tavern and store were located there. Construction of the Erie Canal by 1825 linked the Mohawk River to Lake Erie.

As the canal declined in importance, Vischer Ferry became relatively isolated. A bridge built across the river at Vischer Ferry in 1900 was destroyed by ice in 1902. Later attempts to secure state funding for a bridge were unsuccessful. Because of its isolation, the village preserved much of its nineteenth-century Greek Revival character. In October 1975 the Vischer Ferry Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Abraham Best House was added in 2011.[3]

A nearby concrete dam was completed in 1913 for hydroelectric use and to aid river navigation. Owned by New York Power Authority, the Vischer Ferry Dam, also known as Dam 3, is 30feet high and 1919feet long.[4] [5]

The Vischer Ferry Hotel, built in the 1790s, was destroyed by fire in 1946. This loss led to the formation of the community's first volunteer fire department.[6]

In 1958-1959, construction of an interchange on Vischer Ferry Road (County Road 90) linked Vischer Ferry to Interstate 87, which is called the "Northway" between Albany and the Canada–US border.

Recreation

The 600acres Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve features a reconstructed 1862 Whipple truss bridge.[7] In 2006 the reserve was designated a Bird Conservation Area.[8]

The Mohawk Towpath Byway passes through Vischer Ferry.

Notes and References

  1. Jennifer Mapes, "Towpath village a step back in time," The Community News (Saratoga Springs, New York) (online), 17 Jan 2003
  2. Web site: Mohawk River Paddling Guide: Lock 9 to Lock 6 . Rich Macha . 2007 . 2010-06-27.
  3. Web site: National Register of Historic Places Listings. 2011-07-22. Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 7/11/11 through 7/15/11 . National Park Service.
  4. http://findlakes.com/vischer_ferry_new-york~ny00170.htm "Vischer Ferry"
  5. Web site: Your Dedicated Source of Hydropower News.
  6. John L. Scherer, "Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company Celebrates 50 Years", 1997.
  7. http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/57185/places/62397/ Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve website
  8. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, "Governor Designates Vischer Ferry Bird Conservation Area (BCA)", Environment DEC (December 2006).