The city developed on both sides of the Mohawk River, with the majority located on the north bank.

By the second decade of the 1700s, Scotch-Irish and German Palatinate immigrants began to arrive in the Mohawk Valley region, but few settled in Amsterdam.

The governor of the colony granted a group of 100 Palatine German households land in the area that developed as Little Falls, New York to the west, where the English planned they could serve as a buffer to French and Native American incursions.

The Battle of Johnstown was essentially the repelling of a raid by British forces and their Native American, mostly Iroquois, allies.

Amsterdam grew slowly after the war, primarily providing the services needed for the farming communities which surrounded it.

In turn, the Mohawk Turnpike, the Erie Canal, and construction of the railroad across the valley improved trade.

The steeply descending creeks in the region, which flowed from the foothills of the Adirondacks, were used to power an increasing number of mills.

Products such as linseed oil, brooms, knit ware, buttons, and iron goods were produced in the growing village, which became an important manufacturing center.

Shortly after World War II, however, manufacturing in general began to move to the southern United States, where labor costs and taxes were lower.

Additionally, the second and third generations of the city's immigrant families often left to go to college and did not return, as there were few jobs to attract college-educated citizens.

[2] The city suffered serious flood damage in late August 2011, in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

The flooding threatened properties at the river's edge due to erosion and water damage.

Founded in 1932 as the Connecticut Leather Company, Coleco went bankrupt[5] in 1988 after a failed attempt to enter the electronics market, and pulled out of Amsterdam, as well as its other North American manufacturing sites.

Once filled with clothing shops, the mall complex has been adapted for offices of doctors, public assistance services, community organizations, a radio station, and an off-track betting site.

The park currently holds Target, Hill & Marks, Alpin Haus, and most recently, Dollar General.

Three trains stop daily at the Amsterdam Station which is located off of State Route 5 in the western part of the city.

The City of Amsterdam has two Level 3 DC Fast Chargers for electric vehicles provided by New York Power Authority's Evolve NY program.

These chargers are located at the city owned parking lot in downtown near the Amsterdam Free Library.

AHS also supports a thriving theater program, with performances housed in the Bert DeRose Theatre.

The Mohawk Valley Chamber Ensembles are an extension of this program, founded and directed by Stephanie Podolec.