The Rich History of Fort Plain

By Eileen Chambers

Nestled in the Mohawk Valley, the Village of Fort Plain has a rich history.  The following photo essay deals with the event that had the greatest influence on the growth of Fort Plain.  That event was the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825.

During the American Revolution and prior to the incorporation of the village of Fort Plain in 1832, a small hamlet had existed at Sand Hill.  The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 resulted in the expansion of that small community into the village’s present location.

View of Canal Street and Erie Canal from Prospect Hill ca.1892

Fort Plain’s strategic location on the Erie Canal as a possible trading and commercial center drove many enterprising young men from the surrounding counties and states to flock to the village in the 1830’s, 40’s, and 50’s.  Here they set up businesses that contributed to the village becoming a thriving economic center.

Canal Street

With the influx of canallers, traders, and travelers it was necessary to provide accommodations for overnight stays.  Solomon Bowen built Montgomery Hall in 1832 which at the time was one of the area’s largest hotels.

Present clock tower building on Canal Street

As the village became more stable in the 19th century and as a diverse group of people inhabited the village, religious societies and churches were established.  Methodist, Reformed, Universalist, Episcopal and Lutheran Churches were constructed throughout the village. Pictured is the original Methodist Church.

Center Street

Center Street

By the mid 19th century social reforms began to take hold in the rural villages of central New York.  Education was seen as a way of improving the lives of many young people.  In 1853, the Fort Plain Seminary and Collegiate Institute opened its doors to 515 women on the large hilltop overlooking the village.

West Street

West Street

The Seminary closed in 1878.  In 1879, the Clinton Liberal Institute, which was associated with the Universalist Church, purchased the property and enlarged the school.  The Institute opened its doors to both men and women and to people from foreign countries.  In 1890 it added a military department under the direction of the US War Department.  The school closed after a disastrous fire in 1900 as funds were not available to rebuild.

West Street

The Chautauqua Movement developed in the post-Civil War Era.  The movement sought to bring learning, culture and entertainment to rural towns and villages across America.  Fort Plain was no exception.  From 1866 to 1878, Diefendorf Hall became the site for lectures by notable figures such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Horace Greeley, Frederick Douglas and P.T. Barnum.  Entertainment by General Tom Thumb, Blind Tom Wiggins and The Hyers’ Sisters played to packed houses.

Present day Diefendorf Hall on Main Street

Present day Diefendorf Hall on Main Street

It was not uncommon for small rural villages to have an opera house in 19th century America.  Following the closure of Diefendorf Hall in 1878, Alfred Fritcher began construction on The Fritcher Opera House which opened in 1879 on River Street, steps away from the Erie Canal.  Opera houses of that time period were not what we think of as opera houses today.  Minstrel shows, vaudeville acts, plays, solo entertainers, dances, and concerts entertained area residents at the Fritcher Opera House.  Unfortunately, a fire destroyed the opera house and the adjoining hotel in 1911.  Today Fort Plain’s Post Office occupies the ground where once this building stood.

River Street lift bridge over the Erie Canal in the background

River Street lift bridge over the Erie Canal in the background

In conclusion the author would be remiss in closing out 19th century Fort Plain by not mentioning one of the biggest events that took place in the village from the end of the  century into the early years of the 20th century.  It has been written that thousands of central New Yorkers traveled  via the Erie Canal, the New York Central and West Shore Railroads, and by horse and buggy during the 3rd week in September to attend the annual Fort Plain Street Fair.  Farmers and businessmen displayed their wares in covered booths set up along Main and Canal Streets.  The Old Fort Plain Band concerts were held in the moveable bandstand  at the intersection of Main and Canal Streets.  Lion tamers, acrobats, animal shows, and high divers entertained the crowds.  Parades were held. School children were given afternoons off to attend the festivities.  The Fort Plain Street Fair was an event that people from all over the Mohawk Valley anxiously awaited each year.

Fort Plain

I have been the historian for the Village of Fort Plain and a trustee of the Fort Plain Free Library (serving as chair of the local history committee) for the past 15 years.  The pictures I have used in the photo essay are from the Myron Saltsman slide collection housed in the Fort Plain Free Library.  In 2011 I digitalized for the library the entire collection which consists of nearly 1300 slides of 19th and 20th century Fort Plain.  As village historian I have researched 19th century life in Fort Plain and have presented several local history programs using Mr. Saltsman’s photos.  Many of Mr. Saltsman’s slides are pictures he took of old postcards.  Local residents also lent him old pictures of the village that he copied onto slides.  The library and the village are fortunate to have such an extensive collection.

Eileen Chambers