Waterville (called Ska-na-wis, "long swamp" by the Haudenosaunee[4]) is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States.

The economic prosperity fueled by the hop industry was reflected by merchants building fine Victorian-style homes.

By the 1920s, hop production began to wane, due primarily to poor agricultural technology.

Some locals continue to grow hops as a recreational "tip of the hat" to Waterville's past.

The Loomis Gang, a notorious group of horse thieves, lived and operated in the Waterville area during the mid-nineteenth century.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), all land except Big Creek, a tributary to the Oriskany Creek that runs through the center of town crossing under Sanger Avenue (Route 12) and paralleling Buell Avenue (Route 315).

At 1,200 feet MSL, the village is at a higher elevation than Utica, which is located in the Mohawk River Valley.

To the east of the village is Tassel Hill, the highest point in Oneida County at 1,945 feet above sea level.

Recent infrastructure development has included a new Municipal Hall (2002), and state-of-the-art Waterville Public Library with formal gardens (2006) and 19 kW photovoltaic solar array (2009) and croquet lawn (2017).

From 2005 to 2006, the Village underwent major thoroughfare reconstruction under the auspices of the New York State Department of Transportation.

The Observatory houses two large, research grade telescopes and hosts monthly stargazing events open to the public.

The Waterville Volunteer Fire Department used to host an annual "Field Days", which was typically held on the third weekend of July, featuring a parade, amusement rides and fireworks.

[12] The Waterville Public Library is a hub of cultural activity, presenting an array of film, music, art and educational events and programs.

[13] The Waterville Historical Society on East Main Street houses a museum of local history exhibits.