Norwich (city), New York

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Norwich is a city in Chenango County, New York, USA. The population was 7,355 at the 2000 census. The city name was taken from Norwich, Connecticut.

The City of Norwich is the county seat of Chenango County, New York. Norwich is located in the northern part of the Town of Norwich.

Lt. Warren Eaton Airport (OIC), serving the area, is located north of the city in the Town of North Norwich.

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[edit] History

Norwich became an incorporated village in 1816. The city was established in 1914.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.3 km² (2.0 mi²), all land.

Norwich is located in picturesque upstate New York, nestled in the Chenango River Valley. The river winds south along the eastern edge of the city. Along the western border, the Canasawacta Creek flows south, until it unites with the Chenango River at the southern city limits. The streets are regularly laid out, many lined with shade trees. The many farms and forests in the surrounding valley give Norwich a unique and charming pastoral appeal. The city is bordered by hills to the east and west, providing beautiful views of the valley. During winter months, these rugged areas are home to winter sports enthusiasts because of the numerous hiking and cross country skiing trails. One of the most popular areas for all year round recreation is the Whaupaunaucau State Forest located in the village of North Norwich. During the autumn months, the tree covered hills are a haven for hunters and those seeking breathtaking views of fall foliage.

[edit] Relationship to other cities via highways

Regionally, Norwich lies almost dead center of the "upside down triangle" that can be drawn connecting the cities of Syracuse, Albany, and Binghamton, along Interstates 90, 88, and 81, respectively. The City is located in the center of this triangle, on the intersection between New York State Route 12 and New York State Route 23. State Highway 12 is often known simply as "Route 12", "State Route 12" (or SR12), or merely "12", and similar naming colloquial conventions with State Highway 23 are used.

Norwich is positioned on Route 12 roughly between the larger cities of Utica and access to Interstate 90 to the North, and Binghamton, NY (and the "Triple Cities") and access to Interstate 81 and Future Interstate 86 (currently New York State Route 17, known as the Southern Tier Expressway) to the south. State Highway 23, which cuts laterally through the northern side of the city, leads eastward to the "college town" city of Oneonta and access to Interstate 88 and westward on 23 heads in the direction of Cortland and Interstate 81.

Being slightly closer to Binghamton, Norwich residents and locals tend to have a somewhat stronger relationship with the Greater Binghamton Area than with the Utica area. The Greater Binghamton Area of the so-called "Triple Cities" of Binghamton, Johnson City, and Endicott, as well as the Village of Vestal, known in the area for having a substantial commercial strip along the Vestal Parkway, offers most of the services, goods, cuisine and recreational opportunities that are unavailable in Norwich. The college town of Cortland is occasionally a destination due to the lack of medical specialists in the area, and to gain access to Interstate 81. Syracuse and Albany are also occasional, but common, destinations as both of these larger New York cities have large universities, extensive hospital services and the malls and recreational facilities that far surpass those of any of the nearer locations.

[edit] Economy of the region

Typically, Route 12 is more important to the city and its citizens than 23, as it bisects the city on a north-south axis and becomes North and South Broad Street in the city limits--a location for the small community of downtown businesses. On the northside of town, lies the North Plaza, which used to hold a Jamesway, and also has a commercial strip of gas stations and fast food, but has since become rather desolate after the departure of Jamesway and the lack of any equivalent store to come into the plaza. The south side of town has three plazas just outside city limits, featuring supermarkets, gas stations, fastfood, a new Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and a recently upgraded Super Walmart. The southern commercial strip has become the dominant of the two due to the proximity of the Walmart that came in the early 1990's.

As Norwich maintains a very small-town atmosphere, inhabitants usually travel to the larger nearby cities of Oneonta, Binghamton, Utica, sometimes Cortland, and occasionally the much larger metropolitan areas of Syracuse and Albany for any goods and services that cannot be attained in Walmart or the local supermarkets. Oneonta, being approximately twice the size of Norwich (and having a small mini mall and many more options in the way of food, stores, and college nightlife) is a major destination for citizens who don't wish to drive the slightly longer distance of to Binghamton. The Utica and Binghamton Areas are the major destinations for residents doing serious shopping or looking for great variety in food, with the Binghamton area being the common preference.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 7,355 people, 3,131 households, and 1,671 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,392.0/km² (3,609.0/mi²). There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of 662.4/km² (1,717.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 1.39% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.

There were 3,131 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,485, and the median income for a family was $39,808. Males had a median income of $33,537 versus $24,430 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,339. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Commerce

For nearly a century, the city hosted the corporate headquarters of the Norwich Pharmacal Company. Formed in 1887 as a partnership between Reverend Lafayette Moore and Oscar G. Bell, a drug store employee, the company grew to become a major developer and manufacturer of medicines and veterinary products. Known affectionately as "The Pharmacy" among city residents, Norwich Pharmacal became world famous with its Unguentine antiseptic dressing (introduced in 1893) and Pepto-Bismol, an upset stomach and anti-diarrhea medication (introduced in 1901 under a different name). The company merged with Morton International, Inc. in 1969 and later became a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble in 1982.

From 1845 until 1961, Norwich was also the home of the Maydole Hammer Factory. The founder, David Maydole, was an enterprising blacksmith who set out to create a hammer with a safely attached head. His hammers proved so successful, that Maydole became the largest hammer manufacturer in the United States by the time of its founder's death in 1892.

Norwich is a hub for commercial activity in the surrounding area. The Village of Oxford, as well as other places like Sherburne, Preston, etc, rely on Norwich for low-intensity shopping, eating, movie-going and for employment opportunities. Due to the lack of development in the surrounding areas, Norwich has a place of prominence as the most populous location in Chenango county, and the only City on route 12 between Binghamton and Utica. Its strategic location and the presence of many pharmacies, more than three large grocery stores, an assortment of fast food restaurants, and a Super Walmart (all of which are practically unavailable on the length of route 12 in a 40 mile radius), make Norwich the first stop for people in surrounding hamlets that don't wish to go to the larger and farther off areas of Oneonta, Utica or Binghamton. Norwich also has several 24-hour businesses, including a 24-hour supermarket (P&C foods), at least two 24-hour gas station/mini-marts, and presumably the Super Walmart will be 24-hour once the upgrades are complete. This is relevant due to the virtual nonexistence of 24-hour businesses elsewhere along route 12, particularly in nearby communities of Oxford, Sherburne, and Preston.

A new 8 million dollar building was recently constructed for the City's small community college, an extension branch of Morrisville State College. This larger Student Community may help increase local commerce, and will even, perhaps, lead to growth or the emergence of a "College Town" atmosphere if current trends continue.

[edit] Culture

Numerous festivals and events mark the Norwich calendar, with residents looking forward to several annual cultural traditions. Most notable is the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, a two-day event in early September that features regional musicians and artists. The festival drew an estimated 15,000 people in 2005. Since 1993, the Chenango Blues Festival, held at the Chenango County Fairgrounds each August, has attracted thousands and featured nationally-renowned artists such as Koko Taylor, the late Luther Allison, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Since the early 1990s, the nationally known Gus Macker organization has hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in early July with hundreds of teams participating each year. Museums include the Chenango County Historical Society and the Northeast Classic Car Museum which houses approximately 125 cars, including the largest collection of Franklin luxury cars in the world.

[edit] External links


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Municipalities and Communities of Chenango County, New York
County Seat: Norwich (city)
Cities

Norwich
Towns

Afton | Bainbridge | Columbus | Coventry | German | Greene | Guilford | Lincklaen | McDonough | New Berlin | North Norwich | Norwich | Otselic | Oxford | Pharsalia | Pitcher | Plymouth | Preston | Sherburne | Smithville | Smyrna
Villages

Afton | Bainbridge | Earlville | Greene | New Berlin | Oxford | Sherburne | Smyrna
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