Amsterdam (city), New York
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,355. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
The City of Amsterdam lies within the Town of Amsterdam on the banks of the Mohawk River. The majority of the city lies on the north bank, but the Port Jackson area on the south side is also part of the city.
Contents |
[edit] History
The community was previously called "Veedersburgh." The city was incorporated as a village in 1830 from a section of the Town of Amsterdam. New charters in 1854, 1865, and 1875 increased the size of the village. In 1885, Amsterdam became a city, which was subsequently increased in size again by annexation of the former "Village of Port Jackson."
[edit] Famous Amsterdamians
Famous natives or residents of Amsterdam include:
- Gary Aldrich, Clinton-era personage,
- Benedict Arnold (1780-1849), United States Congressman from New York[1]
- Matthias Bovee, born in Amsterdam, United States Congressman from New York[1]
- Lucille Bremer, actress,
- Jessica Collins (Birth name: Jessica Capogna), actress,
- Charles Dayan, born in Amsterdam, United States Congressman from New York and acting Lieutenant Governor of New York[1]
- Kirk Douglas, actor,
- Mary Ann Krupsak, New York State Lieutenant Governor.
- John and Stephen Sanford, industrialists,
- Henry E. Machold, Speaker of the New York State Assembly,
- Rocco Petrone, Apollo Program Director
- David Pietrusza, author,
- Lemuel Smith, New York's most notorious serial killer,
- Frank Szyjkowski, former professional boxer and 1974 National Boxing Champion,
- Samuel S. Stratton, United States Congressman.
[edit] Geography
State Route 30 crosses the Mohawk River to link the main part of Amsterdam to the New York State Thruway.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 km² (6.3 mi²). 15.4 km² (5.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.9 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.41% water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 18,355 people, 7,983 households, and 4,686 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,191.1/km² (3,086.5/mi²). There were 9,277 housing units at an average density of 602.0/km² (1,560.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.01% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.79% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 20.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Many local residents believe the census understates the Latino population, and that the actual number should be closer to 28%. Despite jokes calling Amsterdam "South of the Border" and other hostile comments, the Latino population is primarily from Puerto Rico and are therefore citizens of the US.
There were 7,983 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $27,517, and the median income for a family was $37,169. Males had a median income of $31,397 versus $23,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,680. 16.3% of the population and 12.4% of families were below the poverty line. 25.1% of those under the age of 18 and 12.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
[edit] Industries
Historically, the city of Amsterdam was known as a center of carpet production, housing the Bigelow-Sanford and Mohawk Mills Carpet companies. In the early 1980's, it was also the home of Coleco, makers of the Colecovision, Cabbage Patch Kids and Adam Computer. In the nineteenth century, the city also was known for carpet, textile, and pearl button manufacturing. Current industries include the Longview Fiber Co., the Fownes Glove Co. and Fiber Glass Industries (FGI)
[edit] Churches (Current)
Calvary Assembly of God
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
Covenant Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
First Reformed Church (Reformed)
Good Shepherd Church (Polish National Catholic)
Pilgrim Holiness Church
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist Church
St. Ann's (Episcopal)
St. Casimir's (Roman Catholic)Lithuanian
St. John the Baptist's (Roman Catholic)
St. Luke's (Lutheran)
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic)
St. Michael's (Roman Catholic)
St. Nicholas (Ukrainian Catholic)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Catholic)
St. Stanislaus (Roman Catholic)
Trinity Lutheran (Lutheran)
United Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
[edit] Mayors
John Carmichael 1885
Harlan P. Kline 1886
Thomas Liddle 1887-88
John F. Dwyer 1889
Hicks B. Waldron 1890
William A. Breedon 1891-92
Charles S. Nisbet 1893
George R. Hannon 1894
William A. Fisher 1895-96
William H. Kafman 1897
Zerah S. Westbrook 1898-99
Samuel Wallin 1900-01
William A. Gardner 1902-03
Robert N. Clark 1904-05
Jacob H. Dealy 1906-09
Seely Conover 1910-11
Jacob H. Dealy 1912-13
James R. Cline 1914-17
Seely Conover 1918-19
Theron Akin 1920-23
Carl S. Salmon 1924-29
William A. Gardner 1930-31
Robert B. Brumagin 1932-33
Arthur Carter (D) 1934-43
Wilbur H. Lynch 1944-45
Joseph P. Hand 1946-47
Burtiss E. Deal 1948-55
Frank J. Martuscello (R) 1956-57
Thomas F. Gregg (D) 1958-59
Frank J. Martuscello (R) 1960-63
Marcus I. Breier (R) 1964-67
John P. Gomulka (D) 1968-79
Mario Villa (R) 1980-87
Paul Parillo (D) 1988-91
Mario Villa (I) 1992-95
John M. Duchessi (D) 1996-2003
Joseph Emmanuelle (R) 2004-
[edit] Education
Public Schools
Elementary
- William H. Barkley Elementary
- William B. Tecler Elementary
- Clara Bacon Elementary (Now Closed)
- Raphael J. McNulty Academy for International Studies and Literacy
- Marie Curie "Eastside" Elementary
Secondary
- Wilbur H. Lynch Middle School
- Amsterdam High School
Private Schools
- St. Mary's Institute
- St. Stanislaus (now closed)
Preschools
Colleges
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Amsterdam Business & Community Links
- Amsterdam Links
- Local News
- Greater Amsterdam School District
- Fulton Montgomery Community College
- Montessori School of Amsterdam
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
| Montgomery County, New York | |
|---|---|
| County seat | Fonda |
| City | Amsterdam |
| Villages | Ames | Canajoharie | Fonda | Fort Johnson | Fort Plain | Fultonville | Hagaman | Nelliston | Palatine Bridge | St. Johnsville |
| Towns | Amsterdam | Canajoharie | Charleston | Florida | Glen | Minden | Mohawk | Palatine | Root | St. Johnsville |
