Upstate NEW YORK: Old Villages Along The Erie Canal
video description
50 years ago I spent a summer with a pal at his grandparents house, which was in Port Gibson. I frankly didnt pay much attention to the geography nor the history at the time, but as I recall the big city nearby was Rochester 30 miles away.
So to compare and contrast, what do you suppose makes the difference between some of Texas towns you visited which are generally dismal and near-abandoned versus Palmyra
Date: 2024-01-28
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Comments and reviews: 34
BoomBustProfits
I grew up on the Mohawk River west of Albany. Upstate NY used to be a wonderful place, but unfortunately, like so many other areas was wrecked by Government making the state uncompetitive. Literally everyone I grew up with moved away - you almost have to if you want to have a life, there is nothing there anymore as the area is so economically uncompetitive & poorly governed (too much government unfortunately, at one time it was bustling with growth, now there are literally millions of old empty factory space. Was an enormous fire in Amsterdam NY about 35 years ago where millions of empty factory space burned (very close to the bridge that collapsed on the NY State Thruway. Too bad, as the geography is gorgeous in upstate NY, and the resources (freshwater, etc) are plentiful - but economic opportunity is not.
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I grew up on the Mohawk River west of Albany. Upstate NY used to be a wonderful place, but unfortunately, like so many other areas was wrecked by Government making the state uncompetitive. Literally everyone I grew up with moved away - you almost have to if you want to have a life, there is nothing there anymore as the area is so economically uncompetitive & poorly governed (too much government unfortunately, at one time it was bustling with growth, now there are literally millions of old empty factory space. Was an enormous fire in Amsterdam NY about 35 years ago where millions of empty factory space burned (very close to the bridge that collapsed on the NY State Thruway. Too bad, as the geography is gorgeous in upstate NY, and the resources (freshwater, etc) are plentiful - but economic opportunity is not.
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tatsf
I grew up in various areas of upstate NY so I enjoyed this one! I remember going to Palmyra and Newark. I think. as a kid. Upstate NY is predominantly very economically depressed and has been most of my life (I'm now 66. My memories as a kid were lot of areas that appeared broken down and some places that you often label as abandoned that still had families living in them. From the looks of it many places have been fixed up. But it is the economy that keeps people from being able to move there for the inexpensive housing. There are no jobs and often a lot of closed down businesses. Combine that with often high property and other taxes and fees and it's not as appealing as it initially sounds unless you are retired or can work 100% remotely! Nostalgic for me to see this one, lots of memories of childhood!
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I grew up in various areas of upstate NY so I enjoyed this one! I remember going to Palmyra and Newark. I think. as a kid. Upstate NY is predominantly very economically depressed and has been most of my life (I'm now 66. My memories as a kid were lot of areas that appeared broken down and some places that you often label as abandoned that still had families living in them. From the looks of it many places have been fixed up. But it is the economy that keeps people from being able to move there for the inexpensive housing. There are no jobs and often a lot of closed down businesses. Combine that with often high property and other taxes and fees and it's not as appealing as it initially sounds unless you are retired or can work 100% remotely! Nostalgic for me to see this one, lots of memories of childhood!
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josermalavejr466
I live in waterford ny. This town is at the beginning of the canal and Hudson where the two meet. And across the bridge over the hudson is Troy ny. Waterford should Definitely be brought back to life could be a nice little first stop town. Nothing to really offer. It would be really nice if the people who run the town of waterford. Could make it look like a harbor town like something you would see in Boston. That would be great. Love living here. If you have went all the way down the canal you would have ran right into Waterford. Good luck on your travels.
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I live in waterford ny. This town is at the beginning of the canal and Hudson where the two meet. And across the bridge over the hudson is Troy ny. Waterford should Definitely be brought back to life could be a nice little first stop town. Nothing to really offer. It would be really nice if the people who run the town of waterford. Could make it look like a harbor town like something you would see in Boston. That would be great. Love living here. If you have went all the way down the canal you would have ran right into Waterford. Good luck on your travels.
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frankgrote7074
I love your videos. My wife and I have friends in Naples, Florida and try to visit them every year. Then we always try to travel to the southern states by car. The furthest tour in 2019 was from Naples via Pensacola, New Orleans up the Mississippi to Memphis and then via Nashville to Atlanta. We love the USA and your videos are always like a little vacation in between, especially since we also love seeing rural America. I can also keep my English fresh. Please keep it up. Warm greetings from Germany
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I love your videos. My wife and I have friends in Naples, Florida and try to visit them every year. Then we always try to travel to the southern states by car. The furthest tour in 2019 was from Naples via Pensacola, New Orleans up the Mississippi to Memphis and then via Nashville to Atlanta. We love the USA and your videos are always like a little vacation in between, especially since we also love seeing rural America. I can also keep my English fresh. Please keep it up. Warm greetings from Germany
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robertlacoste3315
Beautiful houses and actually not so bad price wise butTaxesNo problem buying the house, it’s the school tax the town tax it’s the township tax, it’s the county tax, it’s the library tax, it’s the state income tax, the city income tax, the property tax, the sales tax, the county sales tax. I might have missed one or ten other taxes. I’ve looked at a few beautiful homes in western NY, and said wow how much, ready to buy and then looked at all the taxes said f no no fn way
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Beautiful houses and actually not so bad price wise butTaxesNo problem buying the house, it’s the school tax the town tax it’s the township tax, it’s the county tax, it’s the library tax, it’s the state income tax, the city income tax, the property tax, the sales tax, the county sales tax. I might have missed one or ten other taxes. I’ve looked at a few beautiful homes in western NY, and said wow how much, ready to buy and then looked at all the taxes said f no no fn way
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josepha9313
Runs past Rome NY where I was stationed in the 1980s at Griffiss AFB. Beautiful scenery in the Fall. Main St had an old-school pharmacy and the owner's son sold old baseball cards in there as well. Good fishing and hunting. Gets their fair share of snow. Short drive to Syracuse, close enough to my parents in the city of Queens, a 3 1/2 hour drive down the NYS Thruway. A lot of college towns along the way. Used to drive home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wish I had those days back again.
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Runs past Rome NY where I was stationed in the 1980s at Griffiss AFB. Beautiful scenery in the Fall. Main St had an old-school pharmacy and the owner's son sold old baseball cards in there as well. Good fishing and hunting. Gets their fair share of snow. Short drive to Syracuse, close enough to my parents in the city of Queens, a 3 1/2 hour drive down the NYS Thruway. A lot of college towns along the way. Used to drive home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Wish I had those days back again.
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MrTherende
I just moved from Lyons to Houlton Maine, kind of funny to watch both of your videos in one day. Lyons is pronounced LIONS. Lyons used to be a 'Village' but the village was dissolved in 2013 due to very high taxes. The town used to be a manufacturing and rail hub, but most of the manufacturing moved south and then off-shore (taxes, labor and energy costs; typical of a lot of Upstate towns. Lyons was the Peppermint capitol of the world (H. G. Hotchkiss Essential Oils.
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I just moved from Lyons to Houlton Maine, kind of funny to watch both of your videos in one day. Lyons is pronounced LIONS. Lyons used to be a 'Village' but the village was dissolved in 2013 due to very high taxes. The town used to be a manufacturing and rail hub, but most of the manufacturing moved south and then off-shore (taxes, labor and energy costs; typical of a lot of Upstate towns. Lyons was the Peppermint capitol of the world (H. G. Hotchkiss Essential Oils.
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carey5058
You were actually in parts of western Ny, Central NY, finger lakes region. This is not considered upstate NY. upstate would be adirondack mountain region. Also, it's pronounced Palm- i- ra, the Y is pronounced as i. Palmyra's income is higher because you are in the Finger Lakes region, a lot of affluent homes and properties.
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You were actually in parts of western Ny, Central NY, finger lakes region. This is not considered upstate NY. upstate would be adirondack mountain region. Also, it's pronounced Palm- i- ra, the Y is pronounced as i. Palmyra's income is higher because you are in the Finger Lakes region, a lot of affluent homes and properties.
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ern48
Great video thanks. In July 1995 I helped move a WW2 PT boat from NC to Toronto going up the Hudson through the eastern half of the Erie Canal and then north through the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario. It was a fantastic once in a lifetime experience with beautiful landscapes and seeing the canal system from a slow moving boat.
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Great video thanks. In July 1995 I helped move a WW2 PT boat from NC to Toronto going up the Hudson through the eastern half of the Erie Canal and then north through the Oswego Canal to Lake Ontario. It was a fantastic once in a lifetime experience with beautiful landscapes and seeing the canal system from a slow moving boat.
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rjbrown6942
Northern New York is north of Syracuse. That drives me nuts. Your in central New York Anybody north of New York City says northern New York. I mean it's bad enough the whole state has to suffer for the politicians in NYC. We are not them.
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Northern New York is north of Syracuse. That drives me nuts. Your in central New York Anybody north of New York City says northern New York. I mean it's bad enough the whole state has to suffer for the politicians in NYC. We are not them.
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davidpeters6536
Must have seen less than 20 people in the video Interesting catalog of small town north eastern US. I lived with a girl who came from upstate NY. Is there a place called something like Crystal Brook, I can't find it on a map
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Must have seen less than 20 people in the video Interesting catalog of small town north eastern US. I lived with a girl who came from upstate NY. Is there a place called something like Crystal Brook, I can't find it on a map
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marcialynn3469
I used to commute from Rochester to Newark, and spent the summer 2 years ago on my friends' farm. I live in baja california in Mexico now. Palmyra has good thrift and antique stores, Chinese food. You mispronounce Palmyra
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I used to commute from Rochester to Newark, and spent the summer 2 years ago on my friends' farm. I live in baja california in Mexico now. Palmyra has good thrift and antique stores, Chinese food. You mispronounce Palmyra
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blumenthol
The lookout point for the kids is a New England term called a widows's watch. 19th century architecture to do with the idea of wives having a high viewing place at home to watch for their husband's ship to return.
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The lookout point for the kids is a New England term called a widows's watch. 19th century architecture to do with the idea of wives having a high viewing place at home to watch for their husband's ship to return.
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thumpr1
Pronounced. 'Pal-My-Ra- thanks for the chuckle - us locals love hearing the different pronunciations. just try and do. Skaneateles. LOL! and we don't pronounce Salina like they do in California.
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Pronounced. 'Pal-My-Ra- thanks for the chuckle - us locals love hearing the different pronunciations. just try and do. Skaneateles. LOL! and we don't pronounce Salina like they do in California.
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stroopwafel6141
I like your video's. It's interesting to see smaller US cities and villages, as well as the countryside. As a European it's striking how much towns resemble eachother, no matter what state.
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I like your video's. It's interesting to see smaller US cities and villages, as well as the countryside. As a European it's striking how much towns resemble eachother, no matter what state.
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serenityinhim
Wow 4 bedroom 2 bath house 2, 765 sqft for ONLY $116, 957! That is AMAZING! Love the town of Newark! Gorgeous. but the most attractive part is the prices of these beautiful houses! Tfs!
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Wow 4 bedroom 2 bath house 2, 765 sqft for ONLY $116, 957! That is AMAZING! Love the town of Newark! Gorgeous. but the most attractive part is the prices of these beautiful houses! Tfs!
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stephendejohn6543
I'm a life long resident on Newark NY you should of seen what our village looked like back in the 1970's before urban renewal came in and tore all our beautiful old buildings down.
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I'm a life long resident on Newark NY you should of seen what our village looked like back in the 1970's before urban renewal came in and tore all our beautiful old buildings down.
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penny1186
I live in the Lockport area and I love taking boat rides through the locks. I didn’t hear you sing the Erie Canal song our children learn when they are in the first few grades in school
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I live in the Lockport area and I love taking boat rides through the locks. I didn’t hear you sing the Erie Canal song our children learn when they are in the first few grades in school
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davidstanleyjr8054
The reason why that bridge is closed because a truck driver fell asleep and went over the enbankment and weaked the bridge supports they still till this day havent opened it
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The reason why that bridge is closed because a truck driver fell asleep and went over the enbankment and weaked the bridge supports they still till this day havent opened it
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gplunk
It was eerie (no pun intended); how deserted these towns seemed, while at the same time obviously mostly well cared for and maintained. Maybe it was just the time of day or week.
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It was eerie (no pun intended); how deserted these towns seemed, while at the same time obviously mostly well cared for and maintained. Maybe it was just the time of day or week.
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richardsmith5394
In Orleans County, on Culvert Rd, the canal actually passes over the road and you can drive underneath it. The Hill Cumorah pageant in Palmyra is a big tourist draw.
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In Orleans County, on Culvert Rd, the canal actually passes over the road and you can drive underneath it. The Hill Cumorah pageant in Palmyra is a big tourist draw.
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robkunkel8833
2: 50 Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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2: 50 Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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devonalomar9012
Visiting my hometown I see. Sadly Wayne County is a shell of what it was. Still much beauty(Canal, Chimney Bluffs, Pultneyville) and the produce is amazing.
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Visiting my hometown I see. Sadly Wayne County is a shell of what it was. Still much beauty(Canal, Chimney Bluffs, Pultneyville) and the produce is amazing.
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robkunkel8833
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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robkunkel8833
Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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Wouldn’t it be cool if you could find an old fashion paper map aka chart for the canal. Having fun with and learning electric devices. It is special.
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joesmith7427
Lyons is a good place to live, there are alot of villages & towns, in central NYS. this town is italian as are most in the finger lakes area.
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Lyons is a good place to live, there are alot of villages & towns, in central NYS. this town is italian as are most in the finger lakes area.
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usa-by-car
Can I ask you something When you took a right on Vienna street to get to Jackson, did you see a memorial cross on the side of the road
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Can I ask you something When you took a right on Vienna street to get to Jackson, did you see a memorial cross on the side of the road
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jamesomahoney2181
Really liked you going into drydock area. . i would love to rent a canal boat and learn the locks. slow old school canal boat
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Really liked you going into drydock area. . i would love to rent a canal boat and learn the locks. slow old school canal boat
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usa-by-car
I work for the Erie Canal. Love my job and now I get to put my name in the history books. I work on the Oswego section of the canal.
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I work for the Erie Canal. Love my job and now I get to put my name in the history books. I work on the Oswego section of the canal.
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BlkwolfZeke
Siri you’re in central and western New York you’re not in upstate I’m in upstate New York. Ogdensburg, Massena, Hannibal
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Siri you’re in central and western New York you’re not in upstate I’m in upstate New York. Ogdensburg, Massena, Hannibal
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annenyman678
Upstate NY is beautiful, but you really don’t want to be there in the winter. the snow is brutal, plus very many gray days.
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Upstate NY is beautiful, but you really don’t want to be there in the winter. the snow is brutal, plus very many gray days.
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xgu6064
Joseph Smith did not find golden plates but instead realized he could control people, and become great, by claiming he did so.
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Joseph Smith did not find golden plates but instead realized he could control people, and become great, by claiming he did so.
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kpag3030
Im in Albany and have visited several locks over the years along the canal. I love watching those things operate.
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Im in Albany and have visited several locks over the years along the canal. I love watching those things operate.
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FollowThomas
Great trail alongside of the Erie Canal. I rode it in August. Enjoyed every mile of it. Thanks for sharing
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Great trail alongside of the Erie Canal. I rode it in August. Enjoyed every mile of it. Thanks for sharing
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