The village of Ames was settled around the end of the 17th century by people from New England, in contrast to the German and Dutch who settled in the Mohawk Valley area.
About the middle of the 17th century, Capt. Mills, General Keyes and Ebenezer Hibbard purchased one thousand acres of land where the village of Ames now stands for a price of three shillings per acre. This whole area, including Buel and Sprout Brook was known as Bowman’s Creek. In the 1830’s a post office was established and name in honor of Fisher Ames.
A common sight in the early 1800’s would be a drove of cattle, flock of sheep or even turkeys being driven through the village on the way to the Albany market via what was called the “shun pike.” This route left the Cherry Valley turnpike at East Springfield, went through Sprout Brook, Ames, and Charleston Four Corners, returning to the Cherry Valley turnpike just west of Sloansville. This route was taken to avoid the many toll gates on the main thorofare.
The Baptist church was organized in 1794 by a committee from Warrens Bush. In 1795 there was an enrollment of 109 members. In 1832 the present church, now in process of demolition, was built.
The Methodist church was organized in 1809. The land of the church was deeded to the congregation by Abial Bingham.
Mr. Bingham also gave the land where the Ames Academy stood, where is now located the Municipal Building. The Academy was established by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, February 5, 1839. In 1859 there were 2 teachers and 80 students of whom 67 pursued classified studies. In 1871, when compulsory education became law there were only 18 students enrolled. There was also a village school in operation at that time on the north side of the village on what is now Route 10.
In 1800 there was a grist mill, saw mill, tannery, and a wheelwright blacksmith shop. Later a pottery and nail factory was built. All the mills were operated by water power from the Brimstone Creek which ran through the village.
In 1900 there were 2 stores, 2 blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a shop where baskets and pumps were made, a grist mill and buckwheat flour mill, a tin shop, 2 churches and the district school.
Today, Ames can take pride in its Volunteer Fire Department, and in recent years the success of “Old Home Days” annual celebration which brings some 10,000 people to our village.

April 30, 1976 Fred Gordon, Mayor

Transcription thanks to Stevie Rockwell