Near Little Falls in Herkimer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Palatines

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

1. The Palatines Marker

Inscription. In 1710, nearly 3,000 Palatines came to the colony of New York. Originally from an area in southwestern Germany known as the Lower Palatinate, they were displaced when the French attacked and destroyed their lands. They first fled to Holland, then found temporary refuge in England. From there, most were sent to camps on New York's Hudson River to produce tar for the Royal Navy. Within a few years the tar camps closed, and the Palatines were again displaced.

By 1723, New York's colonial Governor, William Burnet, secured 24 miles of land on both sides of the Mohawk River west of the Little falls for the Palatines. Johan Jost Herkimer was among the original settlers. He began farming, trading in furs, and buying and transporting supplies under contract to the British forts to the west. By the mid-18th century, Jost Herkimer had become one of the principal leaders of the Palatine community and had acquired more than 5,000 acres around the Little Falls, including the south portage road (today's Route 5S).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1710.

Location. 43° 1.723′ N,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

74° 48.935′ W. Marker is near Little Falls, New York, in Herkimer County. It can be reached from New York State Route 169 east of General Herkimer Road. This historical marker is located on the grounds of the Herkimer Home State Historic Site, behind the Herkimer house, down on the edge of Mohawk River valley flood plain, alongside of one of the parks walking trails. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 State Route 169, Little Falls NY 13365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York

and in the Mohawk Valley.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: General Nicholas Herkimer's Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

2. The Palatines Marker

Close up view of the text on the historical marker.

From This Point (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Bateau (about 300 feet away); In Memory of the Men (about 600 feet away); Herkimer Homestead Cemetery (about 600 feet away); General Nicholas Herkimer Monument (about 600 feet away); Nicholas Herkimer (about 600 feet away); Revolution in the Mohawk Valley (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Falls.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

3. The Palatines Marker

Close-up view of the map showing the Palatine homeland in Europe, that is displayed on the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

4. The Palatines Marker

View of the historical marker, looking north across the floodplain of the Mohawk River Valley.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

5. The Palatines Marker

View looking south, from the site of the historical marker, up the slope of the Mohawk Valley, to the crest of the ridge where the Herkimer house is located.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

6. The Palatines Marker

Distant view of the historical marker.

Photographed by Dale K. Benington, July 11, 2014

7. The Palatines Marker

View of the historical marker down on the edge of Mohawk River valley flood plain, alongside of one of the parks walking trails.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 854 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on January 22, 2025, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 13, 2014, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.