It spanned a short distance from Jordan to the village of Skaneateles and was a successor to the Auburn and Syracuse Railroad,[disputed – discuss] which ceased operations in 1834.

In 1866, the Legislature granted another charter, this time creating the Skaneateles Railroad and its corporation, which bought out most of the plank road company.

The highway paralleled Valley Drive, which was designated as New York State Route 31C in the 1930s and located on the opposite (western) side of Skaneateles Creek.

[3] After a short distance in the village, NY 317, known as Jordan Road, continues northwest into the surrounding town of Elbridge, where roadside development ends and the highway passes through predominantly open fields.

It loosely parallels Skaneateles Creek, turning slightly northward and northwestward to match curves in the waterway.

[3] In Jordan, NY 317 becomes Elbridge Street and turns west to intersect the northern terminus of Valley Drive.

The highway proceeds through the southern portion of the village and crosses Skaneateles Creek to reach a junction with South Main Street.

[5] On March 25, 1853, the New York State Assembly proposed an additional toll gate to be constructed in Elbridge along the plank road.

[12] The highway was gradually taken over by the state of New York, beginning with the segment between the Elbridge and Jordan village lines.

[15][16] The designation was short-lived, however, as the route became the northernmost portion of NY 41 in the 1930 renumbering of state highways in New York.

[18][19] NY 31C remained unchanged until 2002 when part of Valley Drive was washed out by flooding from the nearby creek.

[24] The New York State Department of Transportation has made plans to remove the bridge carrying Valley Drive (former NY 31C) over Skaneateles Creek in the town of Elbridge.