Historic Main Street Tour

The Great Western Turnpike, also known as Route 20, was laid out as early as 1793, but a regular wagon road was not constructed until 1806. Extending from Albany to the western frontier, hotels, taverns and businesses opened along the route to accommodate travelers and local residents.
The town's first settlers emigrated from Germany during, the mid-1700's and named the town New Dorlach.
In 1791, settlers from Sharon, Connecticut changed the name to Sharon. The village of Rockville had its active business center here at these crossroads as early as 1805.
Isaac Tinkham operated the first inn and later Barnabus Eldredge bought the building and moved it across the street. In 1865, the large and beautiful Fethers' Hotel was constructed from materials of the Grove Seminary in Carlisle.
The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1911. Spencer Hyney started a general store in 1871 to serve the farming community. It was located next to Fethers' Hotel and the blacksmith shop and later housed two different drug stores until 1969.
The village's water was supplied by a well in the center of the Turnpike. Further down the hill on Main Street, Rockville had its own schoolhouse and a limestone quarry.

Throughout the 19th century, Rockville and the popular spa village of Sharon Springs maintained their separate identities. Connected by a rough, steep wagon road, locals referred to Rockville as "upstreet" and Sharon Springs as "downstreet". This terminology was in use throughout the 20th century even though in 1871 the two villages



had incorporated into one. Rockville was absorbed into Sharon Springs, but it would still be known as "upstreet".

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Show me all markers in:  Sharon Springs, NY  |  Schoharie County  |  13459  |  New York  |  United States of America

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Historic Main Street Tour
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Camp of Cedar Swamp

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