Caughnawaga Indian Village Site

Caughnawaga Indian Village Site is an archaeological location near Fonda featuring excavated remains of a settlement along the Mohawk River. The grounds contain foundation traces of around 12 longhouses and defensive structures that reveal how the community was organized.

The settlement was founded in 1666 and thrived as a home until 1693, when an attack brought about its abandonment. The village's end marked a turning point in how the Mohawk community developed afterward.

The mission presence shaped how residents lived and learned within the community for over a decade. Visitors walking through the site can sense how different beliefs and languages mixed into daily village life.

The site is marked with stakes showing where longhouses once stood, making it easier to understand the village layout as you walk. Wear sturdy footwear since the ground is uneven and remains spread across a large area.

This is the only fully excavated Mohawk village within the United States, discovered in 1950 by Reverend Thomas Grassmann. The systematic excavation allowed archaeologists to piece together a rare, nearly complete picture of daily life in this settlement.

Location: New York

GPS coordinates: 42.95499,-74.39300

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:06