New Windsor, New York

New Windsor, New York
Town

Location in Orange County and the state of New York.
New Windsor, New York

Location within the state of New York

Coordinates: 41°28′18″N 74°4′33″W / 41.47167°N 74.07583°W
Country United States
State New York
County Orange
Area
 • Total 37.0 sq mi (95.9 km2)
 • Land 34.8 sq mi (90.1 km2)
 • Water 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km2)
Elevation 512 ft (156 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 25,244
 • Density 657.4/sq mi (253.8/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 12553
Area code(s) 845
FIPS code 36-50848
GNIS feature ID 0979274

New Windsor is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. The population was estimated at 25,244 in 2010 by the US Census.

The Town of New Windsor is in the eastern part of the county, bordering the Town of Newburgh and the City of Newburgh.

The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located on Route 300 in the Town of New Windsor.

History

The region was originally inhabited by the Munsee people, part of the Lenape confederation. The first European settlers were colonists from Scotland who arrived in 1685. The Town of New Windsor was created in 1762.

Early History

Settlement rights in the area that now encompasses the town were obtained from the Munsee by Governor Thomas Dongan, who encouraged the settlement of a party of Scottish colonists led by the Laird of Monzievaird, and Major Patrick McGregor. They arrived in 1685 and settled in the area around Sloop Hill, overlooking the Hudson River and Moodna Creek.[1]

A rival claim was obtained in 1694 by Captain John Evans of HMS Richmond, who was granted powers and privileges as lord of the manor. The next governor, the Earl of Bellomont, decided that this was unfair to the settlers, and had the Evans grant annulled in 1699.[1] Around 1709 the portion of the town nearest the Hudson River was organized under the Precinct of the Highlands (Ulster County), remaining thus until 1743. In 1762, separate precincts were created for the Town of New Windsor and Newburgh.

The present divisions of the town include Little Britain, Ducktown, Rock Tavern and Vails Gate.

The name of the town is from Windsor, England, with the New being prefixed. By whom this was conferred cannot be ascertained, but it is likely tied to remembrance of the sovereign.

Revolutionary History

During much of the Revolutionary War, New Windsor served as the major depot for the Continental Army and Army Medical Dept. The majority of Town residents supported the war efforts and its leaders.

In October 1782, the troops began to arrive and set up tents, while they began building their huts. This encampment or cantonment covered 1600 acres (6.5 km²) and quartered 6000-8000 men, women and children from New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maryland. Here this army built a log city of over 700 huts for the soldiers and many other out buildings, guardhouses, blacksmith shops, a stable, kitchens, and a hospital. In addition, a long building called the "Temple" was constructed. It was proposed by Rev. Israel Evans, Chaplain to the Army, that a structure be built for worship services; hence, this structure was built.

In order to reward the fidelity and faithfulness of soldiers, Gen. Washington ordered the establishment of an honor, the Badge of Merit, to be bestowed on them. Today, this honor is known as the Purple Heart.

In an effort to preserve this encampment, the Town of New Windsor acquired a 167-acre (0.68 km2) plus tract consisting of much of the former hut sites. Since 1936, the Town of New Windsor and the membership of the National Temple Hill Association have striven to ensure the preservation of this, the final winter encampment.

Other historical sites

In addition to the Last Encampment of the Continental Army hut sites owned by the Town of New Windsor, the temple site is operated by the State of New York, known as the New Windsor Cantonment. Located there is the Mountainville Hut, believed to be a survivor from the encampment.

Knox's Headquarters- a 1754 stone house built by noted stonemason William Bull, used for John Ellison off Forge Hill Road.

Edmonston House - a 1755 stone house located on Route 94 built by James Edmondston to replace his log cabin.

Plum Point - (Kowawese Unique Area) - a new State/County/Town park opened in the fall of 1996, located directly on the shore of the Hudson River. From this vantage exquisite views of the Newburgh Bay to the North and Cornwall bay to the south can be seen. Plum Point was an almost always occupied site from pre-historic man to the present.

Moodna Creek - (Murderer’s Creek) - legend tells of a massacre of the Stacy family at Moodna Creek also known as Murderer’s Creek.

Machin’s Battery - Capt. Thomas Machin was entrusted with the construction of fortifications on the Hudson River to prevent the British advance up the Hudson River. All his work never stopped the British advance north to burn Kingston.

Rock Tavern - so named for early landmark which was a gathering place for many years. The Tavern owned and operated by John Humphrey in 1740 was located near the intersection of present day Forrester Road. The tavern gets its name from a large boulder which formed its foundation. It was here that the plans were made for the organization of the present Orange County.

Vails Gate - (formerly Mortinville & Tookers Gate N.Y.), today a thriving business community, was once the sleepy little hamlet into which all major roads crossed. These roads were part of the early private turnpike system, which was served by a toll gate to collect tolls. Remnants of former 19th century business community still exist including Lewis Hall on Rt 94 which served for many years as town hall meeting place prior to construction of 244 Union Ave., the old town hall.

Clancyville - Quassaick Bridge - early 19th century community built around once thriving manufacturing mills located on the Quassaick Creek. Established by many Polish, Italian and other immigrants who built small homes enlarging them as they prospered. The area was built on the early farm of John J. Clancy, who subdivided it into small building lots. Sometime referred to as Ducktown by local residents, whose practice was to keep ducks and other poultry about their homes.

Stewart International Airport - (formerly Stewart Air Force Base) Stewart is named after Capt. Lachlan Stewart, who skippered schooners and other sailing vessels about 1850-1870.

Stewart continued as part of the Strategic Air Command until the late 60's early 70's when the Air Force turned the base over to the MTA for use as a cargo facility. The grand plan to create a jetport lead to the acquisition of over 8000 acres (32 km²) of the present day buffer zone and the lost of many early farms and structures. During the late 1980s, through the efforts of the late State Senator Schermerhorn, the airport passed into the hands of the NY State Dept. Of Transportation. Today, Stewart International in addition to its civilian capability, is the home base of the NY Air National Guard & Marine Corp refueling wing.

There is a new entrance to Stewart International Airport, via New York State Route 747. Now for the first time, the Airport can be accessed directly from the Interstates without encountering local traffic on the state roads.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.0 square miles (95.9 km²).34.8 square miles (90.1 km²) of it is land and 5.8 km2 (2 sq mi) of it (6.03%) is water.

The east town line, marked by the Hudson River, is the border of Dutchess County, New York. Part of the north town line borders the City of Newburgh. The remainder of the north town line is with the Town of Newburgh and the Town of Montgomery.

Interstate 87, the New York State Thruway, is a major north-south highway. NY-207 is an east-west state highway.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 22,866 people, 8,396 households, and 6,078 families residing in the town. The population density was 657.4 people per square mile (253.8/km²). There were 8,759 housing units at an average density of 97.2 persons/km² (251.8 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the town was 84.72% White, 6.76% African American, 0.27% Native American, 1.73% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 4.17% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. 11.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,396 households out of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.7% were married couples living together, 10.2% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 27.6% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,113, and the median income for a family was $58,292. Males had a median income of $34,283 versus $30,044 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,806. 5.9% of the population and 1.03% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 52.8% are under the age of 18 and 7.5% are 65 or older.

Climate

New Windsor has a Dfa Köppen climate classification (Humid Continental: Hot Summer subtype). It is situated in the temperate region of the northern hemisphere and has four distinct seasons.

Education

Children in the New Windsor area attend a number of schools, including: Butterhill Day School (PK-K), Children S Country School (Private/PK-4), Cornwall Central High School (Public/9-12), Heritage Junior High School (Public/6-8), Little Britain Elementary School (Public/K-5), Little Harvard School (Private/PK-K), McQuade Children's Services Kaplan Campus School (Private/2-11), New Windsor School (Public/K-5), St. Joseph School (Private/K-8), Temple Hill School (Public/K-8), Vails Gate High Technology Magnet School (Public/K-5), Windsor Academy (Private/PK-3), and Woodland Montessori School (Private/PK-8). Yeshiva Ohr Naftoli (Private/9-12 and undergraduate) is located in town, but the student body is from out of town, housed in a dormitory.

Transportation

Stewart International Airport

Stewart International Airport is located partially in New Windsor and partially in the Town of Newburgh.[2][3]

Notable residents

The Clintons were of Royal Personage - immigrating here they were related to Sir Henry Clinton in command of the British Army during the Revolution.

Communities and locations in the Town of New Windsor

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Skeel, Adelaide, and Barclay, David, (1900), Major Patrick MacGregorie
  2. ↑ "Newburgh town, Orange County, New York." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 2, 2011.
  3. ↑ "New Windsor town, Orange County, New York." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on February 2, 2011.
  4. ↑ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Windsor, New York.

Coordinates: 41°28′36″N 74°01′26″W / 41.47667°N 74.02389°W