Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Event, Site

Location

373 NY-990V, Gilboa, NY 12076, USA

Lat/Long

42.397816575158, -74.446327281596

Grant Recipient

Gilboa Historical Society

In 1916, New York City officials authorized the development of the Schoharie watershed, a project centered on damming Schoharie Creek to create a reservoir. Surveyors identified the town of Gilboa as the optimal location for the reservoir.

As plans for the reservoir proceeded, the town site was expected to be submerged under 200 feet of water. In response, the soon-to-be displaced residents began planning a relocation. I. C. Wyckoff, a local farmer and automobile businessman, proposed a new site on a hillside near his farm, located north of the river’s eastern bank. In 1920, Wyckoff purchased 74 acres of land specifically to establish the new town.

The New York City Board of Water Supply began the relocation of local cemeteries in 1921, re-interring remains at the new site. By 1923, construction of the New Gilboa settlement was underway, including a new church, post office, restaurant, lodging house, general store, and several private residences.

In September 1925, with the dam nearing completion, the Board of Water Supply ordered all remaining residents to vacate the original town. That same month, I. C. Wyckoff passed away before the relocation was finalized, sadly not able to see the new town he had led the building of. While the settlement was initially called “New Gilboa,” it is known today simply as Gilboa.