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Palmyra (town), New York

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Palmyra (town), New York
Palmyra (town), New York
Doug Kerr from Upstate New York · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
NamePalmyra (town), New York
Settlement typeTown
Subdivision typeCountry
Subdivision nameUnited States
Subdivision type1State
Subdivision name1New York
Subdivision type2County
Subdivision name2Wayne County
Leader titleTown Supervisor
Leader nameKenneth R. Miller
Area total sq mi34.50
Population as of2020
Population total7,975
Population density sq miauto
TimezoneEastern (EST)
Utc offset-5
Timezone DSTEDT
Utc offset DST-4
Coordinates43, 3, 47, N...
Postal code typeZIP Code
Postal code14522
Area code315 and 680
Blank nameFIPS code
Blank info36-56217
Blank1 nameGNIS feature ID
Blank1 info0979351
Websitewww.palmyrany.com

Palmyra (town), New York is a town in Wayne County, situated within the Finger Lakes region of New York. The town contains a village, also named Palmyra, and is internationally recognized for its pivotal role in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its landscape is defined by the Erie Canal and significant historical sites that attract numerous visitors annually.

History

The region was originally part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase following the American Revolutionary War. The town was formed in 1789 from the former Military Tract of Central New York and officially established in 1796. Its development was profoundly accelerated by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, transforming it into a bustling commercial hub. Palmyra is most famous as the early 19th-century home of Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement; key events include the 1820 First Vision in the Sacred Grove and the 1827 obtaining of the Golden Plates from the Hill Cumorah. The town was also a noted center for Spiritualism in the 19th century and was home to early newspaper publisher Thurlow Weed.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.5 square miles, of which 34.3 square miles is land and 0.2 square miles is water. The northern town line is the border of Ontario County, and the Erie Canal flows east-west through the community. Major waterways include the Clyde River and Ganargua Creek. The terrain is characterized by the rolling hills of the Finger Lakes region, with the prominent Hill Cumorah located in the southeastern part of town.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the town had a population of 7,975. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations of African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino residents. The population density was approximately 232 people per square mile. Historically, the town saw significant growth during the peak of Erie Canal commerce and later through its association with Mormon historical tourism.

Economy

The local economy has historically been based on agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce related to the Erie Canal. Today, it is significantly supported by religious tourism linked to Latter-day Saint historical sites, including the Hill Cumorah Visitors' Center and the Joseph Smith Farm. Other economic contributors include light manufacturing, retail, and healthcare services provided by institutions like the Rochester Regional Health system. The annual Hill Cumorah Pageant, held from 1937 until 2019, was a major economic driver.

Notable people

Notable individuals associated with Palmyra include Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism; his scribe Martin Harris; newspaper magnate and political boss Thurlow Weed; and John H. W. Hawkins, a prominent 19th-century temperance lecturer. William W. Phelps, an early Latter Day Saint leader and printer, also lived in the area. More recent notable residents include professional baseball player John Mayberry.

Government and infrastructure

Palmyra operates under a Town Council form of government, led by an elected Town Supervisor. Essential services are provided by the Palmyra Police Department and the Palmyra Fire Department. The town is traversed by New York State Route 31 and is served by the Wayne Central School District. Critical infrastructure includes the Palmyra-Macedon Aqueduct carrying the Erie Canal over Ganargua Creek and utilities managed by New York State Electric & Gas and Rochester Gas and Electric.

Category:Towns in Wayne County, New York Category:Populated places established in 1789 Category:1789 establishments in New York (state)