Skaneateles Turnpike - History

History

The Skaneateles Turnpike was incorporated under the name "the President and Directors of the Hamilton and Scaneatelas Turnpike" on April 2, 1806. In 1807 the company was authorized to intersect the Great Western Turnpike (now U.S. Route 20) at any point east of the west branch of the Unadilla River. The connection was ultimately made at Richfield Springs.

In western Onondaga County, the turnpike is now New York State Route 174 (NY 174), County Route 124 (CR 124), and CR 23. From CR 23's east end in Tully to West Woodstock, Madison County, it is now NY 80. While NY 80 follows NY 13 south from West Woodstock, the turnpike's path heads east to West Eaton as CR 52. Here, NY 26 joins the road, only to leave 3 miles (4.8 km) to the east in Eaton. Between Eaton and Hamilton, the old road is Hamilton Hill Road and Eaton Street (CR 85). The remainder of the Skaneateles Turnpike between Hamilton and the Unadilla River is part of CR 70 and all of CR 72, CR 74, and CR 80. Across the river in Otsego County, the turnpike is now part of CR 21 and CR 25. A section between the two roads is locally maintained.

While most of the old turnpike is now known by other names, several sections still reference the turnpike in their road name. In Otsego County, CR 25 is named Old Skaneateles Turnpike while CR 21 and the town-maintained segment between CR 21 and CR 25 are named Skaneateles Turnpike. The turnpike's old name is also used for CR 80 in Madison County.