Herkimer (town), New York

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Herkimer is a town in Herkimer County, New York, USA. The population was 9,962 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Nicholas Herkimer.

The Town of Herkimer contains a village called Herkimer. The community is southeast of Utica.

Herkimer County Community College is located in Herkimer village.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 Communities and locations in the Town of Herkimer, NY
5 External links
6 References

[edit] History

The town was first settled around 1722 in an area originally called "Stone Ridge" (now the Village of Herkimer). Early settlers were primarily Palatine Germans. During the French and Indian War, Herkimer and the Mohawk Valley was ravaged by raids of French and native allies.

The Town of Herkimer was established in 1789.

Johan Jost Herchheimer settled in German Flatts, NY in 1725, which is south of the present day Village of Herkimer. Johan Herchheimer was a farmer who also engaged in trade and transport on the Mohawk River. He had over 5,000 acres of the land, which included a strategic portage around Little Falls. This is where his eldest son Nicholas Herkimer established a farmstead.

By 1770, Nicholas had established great wealth through farming and trade during the French and Indian Wars. During this time he also gained military experience as a Captain of a Militia.

General Herkimer would later fight in the Battle of Oriskany.

In 1907, the murder trial of Chester Gillette brought many spectators to the County courthouse in Herkimer village.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 83.2 km² (32.1 mi²). Land comprises 81.7 km² (31.6 mi²) of the town and 1.5 km² (0.6 mi²) of the town (1.74%) is water.

The West Canada Creek empties into the Mohawk River by Herkimer village. On the opposite shore of the Mohawk River is the Village of Mohawk and the Village of Ilion.

The New York State Thruway and New York State Route 5 run through the south part of the town. New York State Route 28 is a north-south highway that intersects NY-5 in Herkimer village.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 9,962 people, 4,114 households, and 2,386 families residing in the town. The population density was 121.9/km² (315.6/mi²). There were 4,513 housing units at an average density of 55.2/km² (143.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.83% White, 0.97% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Only 1.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

[edit] Communities and locations in the Town of Herkimer, NY

Beacon Light Corners -- A location near the west town line.
East Herkimer -- A hamlet east of Herkimer village on NY-5.
Eatonville -- A hamlet near the northeast corner of the town.
Herkimer -- The Village of Herkimer is by the south town line, on NY-5 by the Mohawk River.
Kast Bridge -- A hamlet north of Herkimer village on NY-28.
Mirror Lake -- A small lake north of Herkimer village.