Fort Edward (town), New York

Fort Edward is a town in Washington County, New York, United States. The population was 10,205 at the 2011 census.[2] It contains the county seat of Washington County,[4][5] located at a municipal center complex on U.S. Route 4 between the villages of Hudson Falls and Fort Edward.[6][7] When construction of the complex was completed in 1994, most of the administrative offices were moved from the original county seat of Hudson Falls to this location.[8] The town of Fort Edward is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.[9]

Fort Edward
Town
Houses at the edge of Fort Edward, near its border with Kingsbury
Location in Washington County and the state of New York.
Coordinates: 43°13′35″N 73°33′33″W
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountyWashington
Established1818
Area
 • Total27.41 sq mi (70.99 km2)
 • Land26.62 sq mi (68.93 km2)
 • Water0.80 sq mi (2.06 km2)
Population
 • Total6,371
 • Estimate 
(2016)[3]
6,149
 • Density231.03/sq mi (89.20/km2)
ZIP code
12828
Area code(s)518
FIPS code36-115-26781
Websitewww.fortedwardnewyork.net

The town contains a village also named Fort Edward. Both are located on the western border of the county.

History

The town is located at the "Great Carrying Place," a portage around the falls on the Hudson, which had been used by Native Americans for thousands of years before European colonization. It was located on the Native American "Great War Path," later used by French and English colonists during their own warfare, during the colonial years, especially during the eighteenth century.

During the French and Indian War (1754-1763), General Phineas Lyman constructed Fort Lyman here in 1755. It was renamed Fort Edward in 1756 by Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent for Indian Affairs in the region, in honor of Prince Edward,[10] the grandson of King George II. Edward was a younger brother of the later King George III.

The town of Fort Edward was established in 1818. In 1849, the community of Fort Edward set itself off from the town by incorporating as a village.

The Fort Edward D&H Train Station, Fort Miller Reformed Church Complex, St. James Episcopal Church, Rogers Island, Old Fort House, and Wing-Northup House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[11]

Notable residents
  • Susan B. Anthony taught school in the community of Moses Kill, New York.
  • Francois "Chip" Barcomb, Jr. - 2019 Jeopardy! Teachers Tournament champion.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.4 square miles (71.0 km2), of which, 26.8 square miles (69.4 km2) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) of it (2.19%) is water.

The west town line is defined by the Hudson River and is the border of Saratoga County, New York.

US Route 4 follows the course of the Hudson River along the west side of the town and joins New York Route 197 at Fort Edward village. The Hudson River passes through the northern part of the town.

The site of the actual fort can be found off of Old Fort Street, just off of Rte. 4 heading south.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18201,631—
18301,81611.3%
18401,726−5.0%
18502,32834.9%
18603,54452.2%
18705,12544.6%
18804,680−8.7%
18904,424−5.5%
19005,21617.9%
19105,74010.0%
19205,8451.8%
19305,841−0.1%
19405,716−2.1%
19506,2138.7%
19606,5235.0%
19706,7193.0%
19806,479−3.6%
19906,330−2.3%
20005,888−7.0%
20106,3718.2%
2016 (est.)6,149[3]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]

At the 2000 census, there were 5,892 people, 2,248 households and 1,571 families residing in the town. The population density was 219.9 people per square mile (84.9/km2). There were 2,487 housing units at an average density of 92.8 per square mile (35.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.59% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.53% of the population.[2]

There were 2,248 households, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.1% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.95.[2]

Age distribution was 24.4% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.[2]

The median household income was $34,973, and the median family income was $41,630. Males had a median income of $31,875 versus $23,429 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,201. About 6.5% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.[2]

Rail transportation
Fort Edward - Glens Falls Amtrak station
See also: Fort Edward-Glens Falls (Amtrak station)

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Fort Edward. Its Adirondack route operates daily in both directions between Montreal and New York City. The Ethan Allen Express operates daily in both directions between Rutland, Vermont, and New York City. The Amtrak stop is designated Fort Edward-Glens Falls; it also serves Hudson Falls and Fernwood.

Communities and locations in the town
Street scene in Fort Edward
  • Durkeetown – A hamlet on the eastern town line, located east of Fort Edward.
  • Fort Edward – A village in the northwest part of the town.
  • Fort Edward Center – A former community located about two miles (3 km) south of Fort Edward village.
  • Fort Miller – A hamlet in the south part of the town, located on US-4 and the Hudson River.
  • Moses Kill (also "Mock") – A former community on the Hudson River, south of Fort Edward village, named after a stream that enters the river there.
  • Roger's Island – An island in the Hudson River adjacent to Fort Edward village. It was fortified during the French and Indian War.

References
  1. "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Jul 5, 2017.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  4. "About Fort Edward". Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved July 7, 2009. The Town is also home to the Washington County Office Building housing nearly all the county offices and support groups.
  5. "Board of Supervisors". Washington County. Archived from the original on June 30, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009. 383 Broadway
  6. Google Maps (383 Broadway, Fort Edward, New York), Retrieved Jan. 14, 2015.
  7. New York State Unified Court System (Washington County), Retrieved Jan. 14, 2015.
  8. Town of Kingsbury, New York, Retrieved Jan. 14, 2015.
  9. "Metropolitan Areas and Components, 1999, with FIPS Codes". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  10. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 129.
  11. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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