The New American Hotel burnt down on August 9th 1966 according to the date in the upper left hand corner of the photograph. A gas station currently occupies that location.

Larger photograph of the: | American Holel Fire |

Here is a picture of the old Erie Canal aqueduct that crossed the Otsquago creek. The Erie Canal aqueducts aloud barges to pass over creeks and canyons. After the Erie Canal shutdown, the aqueduct was paved over and used as a bridge on State Street. Not too long ago, ice built up in front of the bridge and eventually collapsed during the spring thaw. I remember fishing from the bridge as a kid.

The Hotel Burdick before the name was changed to the Fort Plain Hotel.

Fort Plain Hotel in 1982.

Looking down old Canal Street.

Looking down Canal Street in 1982.

Looking up old Main Street

Looking up Main Street in 1982.

Main and Fountain, or Prospect hill road.

Main and Prospect hill road in 1982.

Old railway house and station.

Railway house in 1982.

Looking down Willet Street, Library to the left.

Looking down Willet Street, VFW to the right.

Looking down Center Street.

Looking down Center Street, phone building to the right.

Looking up River Street, Primes garage on the right.

Looking up River Street, Grand Union on the left.

The River Street lift bridge over the Eire Canal with the Union Hotel and Fritcher Opera House on the left.

The Union Hotel to the left, Fritcher Opera House on the right, both burned down in 1911

Haslett Park now occupies the Union Hotel and Fritcher Opera House space.

The old Fort Plain School, now the Masonic Temple.

Clinton Liberal Institute, 1879-1900, burned down in 1900. The space is now occupied by the current High School.

Current Fort Plain High School.

Fort Plain Street fairs drew thousands and ran from 1898 to 1924.

Fort Plain from the top of the hill in Nelliston in 1863.

Sources:

Fort Plain Sesquicentennial Celebration Program, Printed around 1982.

Fort Plain Nelliston History 1580-1947, Fort Plain Nelliston Historical Society, 1947, reprinted in 1987.