An ancient Native American trail served as the main east-west route through Central New York. In 1794, work began to expand the route from Fort Schuyler and the Mohawk River to the Genesee River in western New York, creating the Great Genesee Road. In 1800, the Seneca Road Company began a 10 year project to improve the existing road. Locally, this road became known as the Seneca Turnpike and was instrumental to the growth of Marcellus and other towns along its path. The Village of Marcellus' Main Street is a portion of the original route of the Great Genesee Road.