Welcome to Minden, NY

The Town of Minden encompasses nearly 33,000 acres, and is located on the southwestern border of Montgomery County in the state of New York. The Town of Minden has six hamlets which are Hallsville, Mindenville, Freybush, Fordsbush, Salt Springville, and Brookmans Corners. The Town of Minden has always been an agricultural based community. Dairy farming has been the main part of this agricultural base and continues to be so today.

“We believe through our efforts to collaborate with MVEDD and the many committed partners supporting this project, we can help continue to be an agent for positive change in our region.”

Town of Minden, NY

The First Inhabitants

The Mohawk Indians were the first inhabitants of the area that is now called the Town of Minden. The Mohawk Indians belonged to what the British called the “Five Nations”, or the French called the “Iroquois Nation”. The other tribes of this nation were the Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas; the most eastern tribe was that of the Mohawks. The Mohawks controlled the area from Albany westward to the Susquehanna and Delaware Rivers, and as far north as the St. Lawrence river. The Mohawks and their fellow tribesman would come to play a legitimate role throughout the Mohawk Valley during America’s war for independence.

The First Settlers

The first known white settler to settle in the Minden area was that of Jacob Crouse around the year 1720. The earliest white settlers were Palatine Germans farmers who migrated from Schoharie and settled in the area called Dutchtown. These earliest settlers had very few skills and most of their necessities were most likely bought from Schenectady. They were an illiterate people and had no schools, few books, and no newspapers.

This part of the valley that became the Town of Minden was very sparsely inhabited prior to the American Revolution. The first store, which was also used as a trading post, was opened by William Seeber in 1750 near the Sand Hill area. Around this time in the Sand Hill area the first church was erected and called the Reformed Dutch Church of Canajoharie. This church was later burned down in 1780 during the revolution.

In 1772 Tryon County was formed from the western most part of Albany County. This new county was divided into five districts, and Minden fell into what was then called the “Canajoharie District”.

Minden Today

The Town of Minden has six hamlets which are Hallsville, Mindenville, Freybush, Fordsbush, Salt Springville, and Brookmans Corners. Hallsville was named after a pack peddler called Robert Hall, who at one time operated four stores, a brewery and a distillery. The Hamlet of Freybush is one of the oldest settlements of the area. The other four hamlets are scattered about the town and are still very rural in character.The Town of Minden has always been an agricultural based community. Dairy farming has been the main part of this agricultural base and continues to be so today. The Town of Minden, like most farming communities in the northeast, has seen a decrease in farming practices and an increase in the amount of vacant agricultural land. Overall, the Town of Minden remains a rural agricultural community.

Explore Minden

Click on the items below to go to additional resources.

  • Town of Minden

    The Town of Minden website with information on the town’s history, government and services including schools and businesses,

  • Fort Plain Central School

    Located in the historic Mohawk Valley between Albany and Utica, the Fort Plain Central School District is home to a dynamic community that is supportive of its schools.

    The district serves approximately 780 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Students in grades pre-K through 6 attend the Harry Hoag Elementary School, and students in grades 7-12 attend the Fort Plain Jr./Sr. High School. The schools are located less than a half mile from each other in the village of Fort Plain.

  • Minden Points of Interest

    Whether you’re visiting Minden or are a long-time resident, be sure to take some time and enjoy local points of interest.

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