Hear about the history of the Great Western Turnpike

Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 18:32

To the Editor:

On Oct. 17, the Guilderland Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting at the Guilderland Public Library in the Helderberg Room. There will be a business meeting beginning at 1:15 p.m.

At 2 p.m., I will present a program on the Great (and not so great) Western Turnpike.

This road, now Route 20, dates back to its legislative origins in 1798. The road was a necessary conduit from Albany westward toward Cherry Valley and beyond.

In addition to tollgates, taverns were many, 53 to be exact, between the beginnings of the turnpike in Albany and on to Cherry Valley.

Please join us for a very informative discussion on this topic on a road which we now take for granted.

John B. Haluska

Vice President

Guilderland

Historical Society

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