Mile 6.5 (Mile 6.5) This is the first of many stone mileage markers we will see on the Trail. This one signifies that we are 113 miles from Lyons, NY, headquarters of the Old New York Central Railroad. The railroad in the late 1800’s installed stone markers along the entire mileage of the trail. Sadly, many are now missing, especially on the northern sections of the trail. These old markers are actually more accurate than the wooden modern mileage markers we see.
One of the original mileage markers to our right as we ride south, just off the trail path.
Mile 7.3 (Mile 7.3) We have arrived at the Ansonia access area.
Ansonia has a storied railroad past. It was a connecting point for the railways that traveled east and west as well as for…show more content… It had been cleared by the Six Nations. On the opposite side of the creek, near the fork, they found a plain orchard of twenty acres, abounding with fruit. Between the plum orchard and the creek was a tract of cleared land of about thirty acres, which appeared to have once been a cornfield. In this vicinity, they “found a great many elk and bears…”
The large fields of Big Meadows, the area along RT. 6 at Ansonia, are still a hotbed for Indian artifacts. After spring rains, especially, you may see local arrowhead hunters frequenting the plowed fields in search of artifacts.
The Pine Creek Gorge became an early path for members of these First American tribes. Some scholars believe the Path followed the exact track bed we are following through the gorge area. Others believe that the upper gorge, because of its steep mountain sides, deep forest, and fast running waters was considered taboo by these early tribes who considered it a resting place for spirits.
At any rate, it is not contested that parts of this trail are in fact a pre-railroad means of transportation for tribal people as well as early settlers.
This historical marker sits at the intersection of RT. 6 and RT. 362, near the Ansonia
