Trenton Falls Scenic Trails

From Utica and South
Take State Route 12 North into Mapledale commercial district. Go past traffic light. Take next right onto State Route 28 south. Follow to first left, on curve, which is Trenton Falls road. Follow signs to four way stop. Go straight through and continue to the end of the road where you will park.

From Rome and West

Take State Route 365 through Holland Patent, about 1 mile past Holland Patent, take a right onto Mapledale Road. Follow Mapledale road to State Route 12. Turn left onto State Route 12 North. Go 1/10 of a mile and turn right onto State Route 28 South. Continue to first left turn, on curve, which is Trenton Falls Road. Follow road to four way stop. Continue straight through to end of road where you will park.

From North

Take State Route 12 South past the State Route 365 intersection. Continue through the blinking light at bottom of hill. About 3/10 mile just past Stewarts, take a left onto State Route 28 South. Follow State Route 28 to first left turn, at curve, which is Trenton Falls Road. Follow to the four way stop. Continue straight through to the end of road where you will park.

From Herkimer and East

Take State Route 28 through Poland and continue approximately 6 miles to 3-way intersection of Old Poland Road, State Route 28 and Trenton Falls Road. Take right turn onto Trenton Falls Road continue to four way stop. Continue straight through to end of road where you will park.

The Trenton Falls Scenic Trail offers an overview of the area’s rich history.

In 1805, John Sherman first viewed Trenton Falls during a visit from Connecticut. In 1806, Sherman moved to Trenton to be the pastor of the Reformed Christian Church. Sherman resigned as pastor in 1810 and established a teaching academy next to the low ground trail to Trenton Falls.

In 1808, with the help of money donated by Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, a path was blasted to Trenton Falls.

In 1822, John Sherman and partner Jarvis Phelps purchased 60 acres from the Holland Land Company (including Sherman Falls). Sherman bought out his partner in 1823, and built the Rural Resort, which opened to visitors that summer.

In 1825, Sherman expanded the Rural Resort to accommodate overnight guests. Trenton Falls became a “must see” destination between the East Coast and Niagara Falls.

In 1827, visitor Michael Moore severely injured his leg during a fall in the gorge; Sherman’s daughter Maria nursed Moore back to health. In 1831, Moore married Maria Sherman and assumed management of the resort.

In 1851, the Trenton Falls Hotel – known by the popular name Moore’s Hotel – was constructed, leading to a dramatic rise in tourism.

In 1863, United States Secretary of State William H. Seward hosted a meeting of diplomats at the Trenton Falls Hotel to emphasize the agricultural and industrial strength of the North, and to discourage support for the South during the Civil War.

In 1893, the Mohawk and Malone Railroad expanded, providing easier access to the Adirondack Mountains, the Thousand Islands and Lake Ontario. The railroad’s expansion and an economic depression, depressed tourism.

In 1897, the Utica Electric Light & Power Company acquired Moore’s Hotel and all its property on both sides of the gorge. Construction of the dam and hydroelectric powerhouse began in 1899. Electricity was delivered to the City of Utica from Trenton Falls in 1901.

After the deaths of Michael and Maria Moore in 1888 and 1899, respectively, the Moore’s Hotel was renovated and reopened as the Trenton Hotel under new management in 1902.

Improvements to the Trenton Falls Hydroelectric facility were implemented from 1917 through 1922 with the addition of three hydroelectric turbines.

After a further decline in business, and the collapse of the Trenton Hotel’s roof , the entire structure was finally demolished in 1945.

Utica Electric Light & Power Company was acquired by Niagara Hudson, which became Niagara Mohawk in 1950. The hydropower plant was purchased by Niagara Mohawk Power Company in 1950. Rehabilitation of the hydro intake, pipeline and surge tank was completed in 1984. In 1999, Orion Power purchased Niagara Mohawk hydro facilities at Trenton Falls. In 2002, Reliant Energy merged with Orion Power, and in 2004, Brascan Power purchased Reliant Energy hydro facilities including Trenton Falls. Brascan Power is now known as Brookfield Power.

Geologists estimate that the rocks in the Trenton gorge are approximately 450 million years old. Trenton limestone is abundant with fossils, including one spectacular trilobite fossil Isotelus gigas. In fact, local people would find these fossils and sell them to tourists. One enterprising individual was reported to have sold fake specimens.

In addition to trilobites, fossilized remnants found at Trenton Falls include concularia (an ancient “armored” jellyfish), echinoderms (spiny-skinned creatures including starfish and crinoids, or sea stars), cephalopods (shelled mollusks with squid-like tentacles), gastropods (snails), and bryozoans (tiny moss animals).

Limestone deposits are extremely common at Trenton Falls, and limestone has played a role in the Upstate New York economy since the latter half of the 19th century. Various quarries of Trenton Group limestone served commercial needs, including use in the construction of several local buildings such as the Utica State Hospital, the Wethersfield School and the Barneveld Library. Ten locks of the Black River canal were built with Trenton limestone. In addition, limestone is used to manufacture medicines and toothpaste.