Quick Facts
- State
- New York
- County
- Montgomery County
- Status
- Unknown Status
- Access
- Unknown Access
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
There's a particular quiet you only find where a town used to be. Waterville has it. Waterville (called Ska-na-wis, "long swamp" by the Haudenosaunee) is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 1,473.
Waterville is the lone documented ghost town in Montgomery County — for now.
The story of Waterville
New York's ghost towns are canal towns the railroad bypassed and Adirondack iron and lumber settlements.
Waterville (called Ska-na-wis, "long swamp" by the Haudenosaunee) is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 1,473.
What you'll find today
The on-the-ground condition of Waterville is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.
Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.
Getting there
Here's the honest truth: access to Waterville is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times.
Good to know
Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.
Waterville FAQs
Where is Waterville located?
What county is Waterville in?
What is the history of Waterville?
What remains at Waterville today?
Can you visit Waterville?
Sources: description based on Wikipedia (“Waterville, New York”), CC BY-SA.