St. Johnsville is a town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The population was 2,631 at the 2010 census. Accounts vary as to the etymology of St. Johnsville, but most of them state that the town and its village are named after an early surveyor and commissioner, Alexander St. John.[3] Still others credit the naming of St. Johnsville to a former name for the area, St. John's Church.[4]
The Town of St. Johnsville is in the northwestern part of the county. The town contains a village, also called St. Johnsville. Both town and village are approximately halfway between Utica and Amsterdam.
The Erie Canal, as part of the Mohawk River, is at the town's southern border.
The town was first settled around 1725. The territory was part of the Palatine District.
In 1769, Sir William Johnson built a church in the town for the benefit of his Indian allies.
A brief skirmish was fought in the town in 1780 near Fort Klock, a fortified house.
The Town of St. Johnsville was formed in 1838 from the Town of Oppenheim ( which then became part of the newly created Fulton County ).
In 1857, the community of St. Johnsville set itself off from the town by incorporating as a village.
According to the Enterprise and News, Nov. 17, 1937, by 1934, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Reaney had given 120 acres of land to the Village of Saint Johnsville. This land was named Klock Park after Dr. Charles M. Klock, a highly regarded local physician. Today the H.C Smith Benefit Club utilizes the building to host many community events.
The First Methodist Episcopal Church of St. Johnsville, Fort Klock, Enlarged Double Lock No. 33 Old Erie Canal, Nellis Tavern, and Margaret Reaney Memorial Library are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[5][6][7]
Communities and locations in the Town of St. Johnsville
East Canada Creek – A stream defining the western town line.
Fort Klock – A historic fortified house, built by Johannes Klock in 1750, located east of St Johnsville village on the south side of NY-5. The property also contains other re-constructed or re-located historic structures.
Klock Park – A park northwest of St. Johnsville village, named after Dr.Charles M.Klock.
St. Johnsville – The Village of St. Johnsville is on the north shore of the Mohawk River on NY-5.
West St. Johnsville (or Upper St. Johnsville) – A hamlet west of St. Johnsville village on NY-5.