Ten years ago today the Mohawk Towpath Byway became one of America’s Byways. Our Byway tells the unique piece of America’s history the sorry of the Waterway West, the Erie Canal and the role our communities played in the westward expansion of the country and in the Industrial Revolution.

Formal presentation of our designation as one of America’s Byways on September 22, 2005. Dennis Adams, FHWA Byway Coordinator is on the left; Mark Woods, NY State Byways Coordinator is second from left; Dave Fasser, center, was recently retired and Chaired the N Y State Byways Advisory Board; Eric Hamilton; and J. Richard Capka, the Federal Highway Administrator (FHWA) is on the right.

We have come a long way since receiving this prestigious honor among a network of 150 Scenic Byways and All American Roads across the country. We have expanded and perfected our stories; we’ve mapped out an Action Plan for stewardship within the corridor; we’ve developed partnerships to sustain our efforts even as federal funding and support of the larger byways program dwindles; and we have a friends organization that has brought new enthusiasm to our efforts.

Celebrate the Mohawk Towpath National Scenic Byway! Happy Anniversary to us all!