Cohoes

City in Albany County, eastern New York, USA, at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, 16 km/10 mi north of Albany; population (1990) 16,800. The city's industries include paper, alarm systems, and small boats.

The site, on the Colonial military road connecting Albany and Lake George, was settled in 1665. Completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, and the damming of the Great Falls of the Mohawk River (Cohoes Falls) significantly influenced early growth. The first power-operated knitting machines were built here in 1832, establishing Cohoes as a textile centre by 1840. Abundant power supplied by the 21 m/70 ft falls fostered the development of other industries as well. The Van Schaick House (1735) served as the headquarters of General Horatio Gates during the War of Independence. Van Schaick Island and smaller Simmons Island are part of the city.