County History

Long Ago
Herkimer County is named for General Nicholas Herkimer, hero of the American Revolution.

Climate 
The climate is highly variable with temperatures that can  approach -20' in the Winter to 100' in the Summer.  Precipitation is usually evenly distributed throughout the year. 

Agriculture
Agriculture was the original means of making a living among the first settlers and has continued to play a major role in the County's economy. Dairy farming has also been practiced since early settlement. Cheese making was an early industry and by the mid I 850's, Little Falls boasted the nation's largest cheese market.

Religion 
The County has a rich history of religion. The Palestine, mostly of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church built the first church. They were followed by the Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Universalizes, Lutherans, Roman and Eastern Orthodox Catholics, Jews, fundamentalist Christians of varying sects, Mormons and others.

Industry
Waterpower was an early natural resource used to operate gristmills and provide power for industry. Eliphalet Remington built his first forge in 1816. When the Erie Canal opened, Remington created a new business near the canal where it remains today. The Remington Arms Company in Ilion is the County's largest employer. Wooden bookcases, Herkimer County Cheese, Adirondack (Rawlings) baseball bats, fiber optics, piano keys, donuts from Granny's Kitchens, garden shovels and tools, paper and fiberglass products, food choppers, mops and brooms plus a wide range of products are produced in the County today. The wide variety of businesses both large and small provide the backbone of the economic base.