The Schoharie Valley

Settled by Palatine Germans in the early 1700s, the Schoharie Valley is known as the “Breadbasket of the Revolution” due to rich soils that produced grain for Washington’s forces. Today, the area’s many farming families­—including the Wyckoffs, Shauls, and Barbers­­—continue the farming tradition. The Schoharie Creek defines the valley and the many hamlets and villages along its banks, including Gilboa, North Blenheim, Breakabeen, Fultonham, Middleburgh, Schoharie, Gallupville, Central Bridge, Sloansville, and Esperance. The creek has greatly impacted the Schoharie Valley’s landscapes and lifestyles, from the construction of the Gilboa Dam and the destruction of Gilboa village in the 1920s, to baptisms in the creek near Sloansville. Through vintage images, The Schoharie Valley celebrates these quaint communities that have thrived and survived for generations and continue to draw residents and visitors alike.