The village of Herkimer, incorporated on April 6, 1807, was the first village in Herkimer County and was named after Revolutionary War hero Gen. Nicholas Herkimer. First settled by the Palatine Germans in 1725, the village's ideal location at the juncture of the Mohawk River and West Canada Creek made it the focal point of the county, and it was soon designated the county seat. The village population grew with the development of mills and factories, prompting the construction of elaborate homes, churches, diverse shops, and the New York Central Railroad, which ran directly through the village center with four main line tracks. Herkimer Village provides a snapshot of the daily life and important events in this village's colorful and dynamic history.