New York
New York state was first settled by Dutch and French settlers in the 1600s. In 1609, Henry Hudson first discovered what we now know as New York state. It was not until later in the seventeenth century that the territory fell under the rule of England. This would continue for the next century.
About a third of battles fought between the colonists and the English during the Revolutionary War occurred in New York. After the end of the war, New York became the eleventh state to be admitted to the United States.
Historically, New York was a major fur trading center for the east coast and many of the native tribes in the territory sold furs to traders who established trading posts throughout the state. Travel in the state was historically difficult, and it was not until the nineteenth century when a system of railways and canals were built that trade became simplified in the state. One of the canals build during this century was the Erie Canal. This canal connected Lake Erie with the Hudson River and made it much easier to move goods from the east coast to the mid-west.
The economic center of New York state quickly became New York City, which also served as the Gateway to the West for immigrants who entered the United States through the immigration center at Ellis Island.
A quick visit to the New York State Museum in Albany will give visitors a glimpse into life in New York over the past several centuries and is definitely a must see attraction. There is a rich history just waiting to be discovered on a quick trip to this state.