Town of Sharon

Town of Sharon. Schoharie County. , In the period from 1772 to 1795, the town of Sharon successively belonged to the counties of Tryon, Montgomery and Otsego before becoming part of Schoharie County in 1795. Originally called New Dorlach by its first settlers, the town of Sharon was formed in 1797, In the early 1800s, the Great Western Turnpike was built across the town, linking the wilderness to the west with the centers of trade along the Hudson to the east., At the heart of the town lies the village of Sharon Springs. Its name is derived from the numerous mineral springs, which gush front the hillside. Native Americans are said to have known of the curative powers of the mineral waters for ages, and by the late 1800s the springs in the town had become world-renowned., The village of Sharon Springs was incorporated in 1871 and included the agricultural hamlet of Rockville that straddled the Great Western Turnpike, and the resort of Sharon Springs that offered gracious accommodations for the wealthy. By the 1920s the village boasted nearly 60 hotels and rooming houses, which accommodated more than 10,000 visitors, In 1994, approximately 180 buildings- including bathhouses, hotels, and homes- dating from the mid-1800s were granted recognition as an Historic District and placed on the New York State and National Registers of Historic Places., The main springs are Sulphur. Magnesia. Blue Stone, and Chalybeate. Sulphur water was used to treat skin conditions and arthritis, and used internally for a variety of disorders. Magnesia water was used for internal problems, Blue Stone (Eye Water Spring) for inflammatory conditions of the eye, and water from the Chalybeate Spring was especially useful in treating anemia., (photo captions) , , This view north to the Mohawk Valley from Clausen Farms in Sharon Springs is one of Schoharie County’s most spectacular vistas. , , Much of the history of this fascinating region can be found on display at the Sharon Museum. The museum offers several rooms furnished i the style of the early 1900’s. To the left of the museum is the one-room Chestnut Street Schoolhouse , , The mineral baths of Sharon Springs played a pivotal role in the growth of the community.