Old Forge, New York
| Old Forge | |
|---|---|
| hamlet and CDP | |
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Tourist souvenir shop in Old Forge, 1973 | |
  Old Forge Location of Old Forge in New York | |
| Coordinates: 43°42.6′N 74°58.4′W / 43.7100°N 74.9733°WCoordinates: 43°42.6′N 74°58.4′W / 43.7100°N 74.9733°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Herkimer |
| Town | Webb |
Old Forge is a hamlet (and census-designated place) on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. Old Forge was formerly a village that dissolved its incorporation in 1933,[1] but it remains the principal community in the region. Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism especially during the summer months. The local school is the Town of Webb UFSD, a K-12 institution with the Eskimo as their mascot. Old Forge often records the lowest winter temperatures in New York. On February 17, 1979, the record low temperature for New York was set in Old Forge at -52 °F (-46 °C).[2][3]
History
In 1798 the 210,000 acres (85,000 ha) area including Old Forge came into possession of the Brown family of Rhode Island, through a transaction involving Aaron Burr. John Francis Brown built a 25 miles (40 km) wagon trail from Remsen and attempted to settle about 20 families in the area. The land was unsuitable for farming, this attempts failed, and the area was abandoned by 1803.
In 1811 John Brown's son-in-law Charles Frederick Herreshoff moved to the area and attempted to raise sheep, opened an iron mine, and built the first forge. These ventures again failed, and Herreshoff committed suicide in 1819. A few settlers remained, including Nat Foster, said to be the inspiration for James Fenimore Cooper's character of "Natty Bumppo."[4]
The railroad was built in 1888, originally horse-drawn with wooden rails. Before the railroad was completed the plans were changed to use steam power rather than horses.[5] A station was constructed at nearby Thendara.
Attractions
Enchanted Forest Water Safari is New York's largest water theme park. It has 50 rides and attractions, including 32 water slides, as well as shops, restaurants, photographers, and a circus show.[6]
Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company offers everything you need for the Outdoors: Canoes, Kayaks, SUPs (stand-up paddleboards) & Bike Sales and Rentals, as well as quality clothing and camping gear. [7]
The Goodsell House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.[8]
Many peaks can be seen from the village, including McCauley Mountain, home of McCauley Mountain Ski Resort. With a 633 foot vertical drop, McCauley also boasts 21 ski trails of 3,000-5,000 ft, one double chairlift, two T-bar and two rope tows. As Old Forge is frequently affected by lake effect snow, and with 65% snowmaking capabilities, McCauley averages a base of 120+ inches and 105 days of skiing.[9]
Snowfall totals also contribute to the areas other primary winter draw, snowmobiling. Dubbed the "Snowmobile Capital of the East",[10] Old Forge controls primary access to more than 500 miles of groomed trails. These trails, combined with operative sidewalk and limited street use, often ridable frozen lakes (especially the adjoining Fulton Chain of Lakes, and connection to other large trail systems, offer substantial area for the sport.[11][12]
Notable People
Summer home and vacation home to many, including former U.S. Presidents. Old Forge also has been a residence of many United States Olympic Athletes and World Cup Skiers.
| Name | Notability | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lowell Bailey | Olympic and World Cup Skier, resided and learned to ski as a youth in Old Forge. | [13] |
| Louie Ehrensbeck | Olympic Althlete in Biathlon | [13] |
| Benjamin Harrison | 23rd President of the United States built a summer camp named Berkley Lodge | [14] |
| Hank Kashiwa | US National Ski Champion, Olympic Skier, and sports commentator | [13] |
Airport and dam
The Old Forge Airport is a small grass field airport that is just one mile north of the actual town. There are two runways. The airport is unattended and is privately owned. Permission must be obtained before landing. The Old Forge Dam is a small dam separating the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the Moose River.
Geography and climate
| Climate data for Old Forge, New York (1971–2000) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 59 (15) |
58 (14) |
76 (24) |
86 (30) |
90 (32) |
92 (33) |
98 (37) |
95 (35) |
94 (34) |
87 (31) |
76 (24) |
62 (17) |
98 (37) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 25.1 (−3.8) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
37.3 (2.9) |
49.4 (9.7) |
63.1 (17.3) |
70.7 (21.5) |
74.6 (23.7) |
72.8 (22.7) |
64.9 (18.3) |
54.6 (12.6) |
41.5 (5.3) |
30.6 (−0.8) |
51.1 (10.6) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 2.2 (−16.6) |
4.2 (−15.4) |
15.2 (−9.3) |
28.0 (−2.2) |
40.0 (4.4) |
49.1 (9.5) |
53.5 (11.9) |
52.2 (11.2) |
44.5 (6.9) |
33.9 (1.1) |
24.6 (−4.1) |
11.2 (−11.6) |
29.9 (−1.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −46 (−43) |
−52 (−47) |
−36 (−38) |
−24 (−31) |
15 (−9) |
24 (−4) |
30 (−1) |
23 (−5) |
18 (−8) |
3 (−16) |
−20 (−29) |
−43 (−42) |
−52 (−47) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 4.15 (105.4) |
2.96 (75.2) |
3.70 (94) |
3.69 (93.7) |
4.14 (105.2) |
4.14 (105.2) |
4.57 (116.1) |
4.52 (114.8) |
5.07 (128.8) |
4.33 (110) |
4.84 (122.9) |
4.28 (108.7) |
50.39 (1,279.9) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 56.8 (144.3) |
33.4 (84.8) |
27.4 (69.6) |
12.4 (31.5) |
2.2 (5.6) |
T | 0 (0) |
0 (0) |
T | 3.3 (8.4) |
22.9 (58.2) |
36.3 (92.2) |
194.7 (494.5) |
| Average precipitation days | 19.1 | 14.5 | 15.6 | 13.6 | 14.1 | 13.6 | 12.2 | 12.8 | 13.0 | 14.1 | 17.2 | 18.7 | 178.5 |
| Average snowy days | 17.1 | 13.1 | 11.8 | 5.1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.3 | 9.4 | 15.3 | 75.1 |
| Source: TWC[15] | |||||||||||||
References
- ↑ New York State department of State. "Villages dissolved since 1900 and incorporated since 1940". Local government Services. Retrieved Jan 15, 2016.
- ↑ Old Forge Weather, retrieved Dec. 28, 2006.
- ↑ USA Today - Each State's Low Temperature Record http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wcstates.htm
- ↑ "Early History of the Region". Town of Webb History. Retrieved Jan 6, 2016.
- ↑ Herr, Charles. "Peg Leg Line: The First Fulton Chain Railroad". Adirondack Almanack. Retrieved Jan 6, 2016.
- ↑ Watersafari.com
- ↑
- ↑ Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- ↑ "McCauley Mountain Ski Area".
- ↑ "Snowmobile Capital".
- ↑ "Snowmobile Capital of the East' : N.Y. Town Is Mecca for Some Good Sledding".
- ↑ "Old Forge".
- 1 2 3 Ulrich, Megan (17 February 2014). "Olympians in our midst". Adirondack Express. Retrieved August 2014.
- ↑ Herr, Charles (4 February 2014). "Benjamin Harrison’s 1895 Fulton Chain Vacation". The Adirondack Almanack. Retrieved August 2014.
- ↑ "NCDC: U.S. Climate Normals". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Old Forge, New York. |
Old Forge travel guide from Wikivoyage
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