Welcome to Herkimer, NY

Historic Herkimer, NY, is a village and the county seat of Herkimer County with a population of 7,293 as of the 2020 census. First inhabited by the Iroquois Confederacy, it was later included in the Burnetsfield Patent of 1725. This area is home to the earliest European-American settlement this far west in the Mohawk Valley.

The Village of Herkimer, NY

Located north of the Mohawk River, Herkimer is steeped in history. It was settled by the Palatine Germans in the early 1700s and became known as “The Village of Herkimer in 1788. Today, the village offers residents and visitors many opportunities including higher education at Herkimer College, Herkimer Diamond mines, recreation, shopping, dining, and many historic locations.

What’s in a name?

“In 1788, following the Revolution, the New York State Legislature met in Poughkeepsie to erect new towns in what was then Montgomery County. The names of German Flatts and Herkimer had been agreed upon to designate the two towns. Dr. William Petry met Honorable Simeon DeWitt, Surveyor-General of the State of New York, who had maps and a survey before him. DeWitt asked the doctor as to the situation of each. Looking up the river, (toward the west), Dr. Petry answered, “Herkimer is on the left and German Flatts is on the right.” DeWitt, assuming the doctor meant the right and left banks of the Mohawk, as the stream flowed, wrote the names on the map in reverse order. The name of Herkimer had been intended for the territory south of the river where the historic Herkimer family first settled and where the Herkimer Home is situated to this day. The error in understanding was enacted into law.” – Town of Herkimer, NY

Herkimer Diamonds

Herkimer residents and visitors alike, dig the area’s “Herkimer diamonds”. Herkimer diamonds are beautiful double-terminated quartz crystals dating back about 500 million years and found throughout the county and surrounding areas in the Mohawk Valley. Because these quartz crystals are doubly terminated and are considered rare, many artisans create beautiful jewelry featuring these naturally faceted crystals. Herkimer diamonds can be mined locally at the Herkimer Diamond Mines.

Herkimer’s History

The village has a number of sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Herkimer County Court House, Herkimer County Historical Society, Herkimer County Jail, Oak Hill Cemetery, The Reformed Church of Herkimer, and the U.S. Post Office.

Explore Herkimer

Click on the items below to go to additional resources.

  • Village of Herkimer

    The Village of Herkimer website with information on local government along with village services, public works, voting, police and fire departments, and so much more.

    Police: (315) 866-4330
    Fire: (315) 866-2241

  • Town of Herkimer

    Census figures from 1990- 2010 consistently show approximately 2,300 people residing in the Town outside the Village of Herkimer and approximately 7,9000 within the village, for a total of approximately 10,200. Other population centers in the town includes the hamlets of East Herkimer and Kast Bridge and the Petrie Development.

  • Herkimer Central School District

    The Herkimer Central School District educates approximately 1,200 students between grades kindergarten and 12. In consideration of the ever-changing complexity of our democratic society, we realize we must be flexible to change in our curriculum in order for our students to cope with these changes, compete and communicate effectively within the society, and become reasonable decision-makers reflecting the responsibilities and obligations of good citizenship.

  • Herkimer College

    Herkimer College is ranked among the top two-year colleges in the nation based on transfer and graduation rates. The college provides a quality, affordable education with more than 40 degree and certificate programs available. Many programs are also available entirely online, along with support services.

  • Herkimer’s Basloe Library

    The Basloe Library is a welcoming place that serves our community in its pursuit of knowledge, information, and personal growth.

  • Herkimer County Historical Society

    Preserving and Sharing the History of Herkimer County Since 1896. The Historic Four Corners is composed of the 1884 Herkimer County Historical Society Suiter Building Museum, the 1834 Herkimer County Jail, 1873 Herkimer County Courthouse, and the 1834 Herkimer Reformed Church, all listed on the National and State Register of Historic Places.

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