Cornwall, New York
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| Cornwall, New York | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cornwall |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New York |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Orange County |
| Leader title | Town Supervisor |
| Leader name | Richard Randazzo |
| Area total sq mi | 34.20 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 12,884 |
| Population density sq mi | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 41, 26, N, 74... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Codes |
| Postal code | 12518, 12520 |
| Area code | 845 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 36-071-18304 |
| Website | https://www.cornwallny.gov/ |
Cornwall, New York. Cornwall is a town in Orange County, New York, situated along the western bank of the Hudson River. Incorporated in 1788, it is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is known for its scenic landscapes within the Hudson Highlands. The town contains the incorporated village of Cornwall-on-Hudson and the hamlets of Cornwall Landing and Firthcliffe.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before European settlement. Land patents, including the Cheesequake Patent and the Cornwall Manor Patent, were granted in the early 18th century, with early settlers including the Tuthill and Carpenter families. During the American Revolutionary War, the strategic location near the Hudson River made it a site for military activity, including the construction of the Continental fortifications at Fort Montgomery. The 19th century saw growth with industries like quarrying, brickmaking, and the arrival of the New York and Erie Railroad. The Storm King Mountain was the focus of the landmark environmental law case, Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference v. Federal Power Commission, which halted a proposed Consolidated Edison power plant in the 1960s.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.2 square miles, of which 29.0 square miles is land and 5.2 square miles is water. The terrain is defined by the Hudson Highlands, including prominent features like Storm King Mountain, Crow's Nest, and Black Rock Forest. The Moodna Creek flows through the town into the Hudson River. It is bordered by the towns of Woodbury to the south, Bloomfield to the west, and New Windsor to the north, with the Hudson River forming its eastern boundary opposite the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the town was home to 12,884 people. The population density was approximately 444 people per square mile. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations identifying as African American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino. The median household income historically exceeds the state average, with a significant portion of the workforce employed in management, business, and educational services within the broader New York metropolitan area.
Government and infrastructure
Cornwall operates under a town council form of government, led by an elected Town Supervisor and four town board members. Key infrastructure includes the Cornwall Central School District, the Cornwall Public Library, and the Cornwall-on-Hudson Fire Department. The town is served by the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and U.S. Route 9W, and is part of the Metro-North Railroad's Port Jervis Line, providing rail service to Hoboken Terminal and Penn Station.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with the area include poet William Cullen Bryant, who wrote "Catterskill Falls" while residing there; Civil War general Daniel Butterfield, composer of "Taps"; and baseball executive Larry MacPhail. Other residents have included actress Mae Questel, voice of Betty Boop; journalist and author Pete Hamill; and musician John Sebastian, founder of The Lovin' Spoonful.
Culture and recreation
Cultural institutions include the Cornwall Historical Society and the Storm King Art Center, a renowned open-air museum. Outdoor recreation is centered on Black Rock Forest, Storm King State Park, and the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail. Annual events include the Cornwall-on-Hudson Christmas Parade and the Cornwall Lions Club Carnival. The town's riverfront and mountain vistas have inspired artists of the Hudson River School, including Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church.
Category:Towns in Orange County, New York Category:Populated places on the Hudson River Category:1788 establishments in New York (state)