Town of Cornwall
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| Town of Cornwall | |
|---|---|
| Name | Town of Cornwall |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Pushpin label | Town of Cornwall |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | New York |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Orange |
| Government type | Town Council |
| Leader title | Town Supervisor |
| Established title | Settled |
| Established date | 1685 |
| Established title2 | Incorporated |
| Established date2 | 1788 |
| Unit pref | Imperial |
| Area total km2 | 108.0 |
| Area land km2 | 102.5 |
| Area water km2 | 5.5 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 12,884 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Elevation m | 152 |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 12518 |
| Area code | 845 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 36-071-18368 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0978878 |
| Website | https://www.cornwallny.gov/ |
Town of Cornwall. Located in the southeastern part of Orange County, New York, the Town of Cornwall is a historic community situated along the Hudson River. 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 is proximate to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape people before European settlement began in the late 17th century, with a land patent granted by King James II. During the American Revolutionary War, the region was strategically significant, with fortifications like the Continental Army's defenses at Fort Montgomery and the infamous "Great Chain" stretched across the Hudson River at Bear Mountain to block British Army ships. In the 19th century, the town became a center for ironworks and the quarrying of Cornwall-type iron ore, attracting industrialists like the Parrott family of Cold Spring. The arrival of the New York and Erie Railroad further connected the town to markets in New York City and fueled growth.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 108.0 square kilometers, with significant portions within the Hudson Highlands State Park and Storm King State Park. The terrain is marked by prominent features like Storm King Mountain and Schunemunk Mountain, with the Moodna Creek flowing through the area into the Hudson River. The town borders the City of Newburgh to the north and shares a boundary with the United States Military Academy reservation to the south.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 12,884. The racial makeup was predominantly non-Hispanic white, with growing communities of Asian and Hispanic residents. The median household income historically exceeds the average for New York State, with a high percentage of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, reflecting proximity to employers like IBM and the United States Military Academy.
Government
The town operates under a Town Council system led by an elected Town Supervisor and utilizes the services of the Cornwall Police Department. It is part of New York's 18th congressional district and is represented in the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly. Local infrastructure is managed by the Cornwall-on-Hudson Department of Public Works.
Economy
The economy has transitioned from its historical base in mining and manufacturing to a focus on education, healthcare, and commuter services for the New York metropolitan area. Major employers include the Cornwall Central School District and St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital. The town also benefits from tourism related to Appalachian Trail access, Hudson River recreation, and historic sites like the Cornwall Iron Furnace.
Notable people
Notable residents have included General Henry Knox, who resided at Knox's Headquarters in Vails Gate; poet William Cullen Bryant; and NASA astronaut Michael J. Massimino. Famed illustrator Norman Rockwell also had connections to the area, and industrialist Robert Parrott of the West Point Foundry was a key figure in the town's development.
Category:Towns in Orange County, New York Category:1788 establishments in New York (state) Category:Hudson Valley