Croghan (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Croghan is a town
in Lewis County
, New York
, USA
. The population was 3,161 at the 2000 census. The town is named after George Croghan, a military officer.
The Town of Croghan, in the northern part of the county, contains a village also named Croghan
. The town is northeast of the county seat, Lowville
. Both the village and town are locally pronounced "Krog-han" (with a hard g)."
. The settlements were disbanded by 1814. Modern settlement began around 1830.
The town was formed in 1848 from the Towns of Watson
and Diana
. In 1848, part of the town was used to help form New Bremen
.
Theodore B. Basselin played a large part in Croghan’s history. Mr. Basselin came to America and settled in Croghan where he became the town’s first millionaire due to his successful logging business. He was one of the town’s top employers in his day. The beautiful Basselin mansion still stands in downtown Croghan. Mr. Basselin is responsible for a few other landmarks in the town. The Croghan Library that was once the Basselin Opera House stands down the road from the Basselin Mansion. Also next to the library is the Basselin Cemetery. The American Maple Museum, which is located next to St. Stephen’s church, was originally the Father Leo Memorial School. The school was built from the funds of the Basselin estate.
The fire has its origin in a back yard bon fire that accidentally made its way into the Grounert Café building where two children of the family were trapped in the smoke filled building. The children were eventually rescued from the blaze but both died almost immediately afterwards.
The firefighters who were excited by the rescue, underestimated the danger of the fire to spread to nearby structures. Most of the buildings at the time were wooden structures which allowed the fire to spread quickly from building to building. The spreading happened so quickly that firefighters were driven from the hydrants so quickly that they, at times did not have time to shut them off. This weakened the water pressure significantly which later handicapped the effort to stop the blaze.
The fire had crossed the street setting both sides ablaze. Thirty-two buildings were destroyed, including the post office, a general store, Peter Shinbourne’s Shoe factory, William Ritz’s Café, Raymond Lee’s five and ten cent store, Norman Martin’s hotel and many people’s homes. On the other side of the street, Monett’s store, many more homes, the Town Hall, Honsicker’s Meat Market, S.E. Simon’s Drug Store, and Marilley’s General Store were also destroyed. Marilley’s Store alone lost an estimated $50,000 in damages. The Town Hall and Opera House both of which had been recently remodeled a large expense.
The local fire department realized that they needed assistance and made a call for help to Lowville. A train was sent with a chemical engine, 1,500 feet of hose and a company of fifteen firemen. Much of the hose was lost because it could not be disconnected from the hydrants in time. The Farney & Steiner and Virkler feed and grist mills were destroyed along with much value machinery, one of the mill owners lost about $200,000.
The fire was eventually stopped after firefighters concentrated their efforts. The fire ended just short of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church. The Franciscan monastery with the large school building connected with it was also saved. On the opposite side of the street the blaze stopped at the Basselin Mansion, both of which still stand there today.
, the town has a total area of 182.1 square miles (471.5 km²), of which, 179.4 square miles (464.7 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (6.9 km²) of it (1.46%) is water.
The west town line is partly the border of Jefferson County
, and the east town line is the border of Herkimer County
.
The Black River
defines the west town line. The Indian River flows out from the northwest part of the town. The Beaver River
flows through the south part of Croghan.
New York State Route 812
is a north-south highway in the town. NY-812 intersects New York State Route 126
at the south town line. NY-126 intersects east-west highway New York State Route 410
by the west town line.
of 2000, there were 3,161 people, 1,115 households, and 855 families residing in the town. The population density
was 17.6 people per square mile (6.8/km²). There were 1,664 housing units at an average density of 9.3 per square mile (3.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.24% White, 0.13% Black or African American
, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 1,115 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 18.7% 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 2.83 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,722, and the median income for a family was $39,267. Males had a median income of $28,712 versus $19,423 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $13,408. About 9.0% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Lewis County
Lewis County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 3,161 at the 2000 census. The town is named after George Croghan, a military officer.
The Town of Croghan, in the northern part of the county, contains a village also named Croghan
Croghan (village), New York
Croghan is a village in Lewis County, New York, USA. Its population was 665 at the 2000 census.The village is situated mainly in the south part of the town of Croghan, with a small part in New Bremen...
. The town is northeast of the county seat, Lowville
Lowville (village), New York
Lowville is a village in Lewis County, New York, United States. The Village is nestled in the Black River Valley, between the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and the Tug Hill Plateau, and is located in the eastern part of the Town of Lowville....
. Both the village and town are locally pronounced "Krog-han" (with a hard g)."
History
The southwest part of the town was the locale of an ill-fated colony of refugees from the French RevolutionFrench Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The settlements were disbanded by 1814. Modern settlement began around 1830.
The town was formed in 1848 from the Towns of Watson
Watson, New York
Watson is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 1,987 at the 2000 census. The town is named after early landowner James Watson....
and Diana
Diana, New York
Diana is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 1,661 at the 2000 census.The Town of Diana is on the northeast border of the county and is northeast of Watertown. The northwest part of Diana is in the Fort Drum military reservation.- History :The Town of Diana was...
. In 1848, part of the town was used to help form New Bremen
New Bremen, New York
New Bremen is a town in Lewis County, New York, United States. The population was 2,722 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the German city Bremen....
.
Theodore B. Basselin played a large part in Croghan’s history. Mr. Basselin came to America and settled in Croghan where he became the town’s first millionaire due to his successful logging business. He was one of the town’s top employers in his day. The beautiful Basselin mansion still stands in downtown Croghan. Mr. Basselin is responsible for a few other landmarks in the town. The Croghan Library that was once the Basselin Opera House stands down the road from the Basselin Mansion. Also next to the library is the Basselin Cemetery. The American Maple Museum, which is located next to St. Stephen’s church, was originally the Father Leo Memorial School. The school was built from the funds of the Basselin estate.
The Fire of 1912
The second great Croghan fire occurred on May 1, 1912. The fire caused considerable damage to the downtown business district of the village. Thirty-Two buildings were destroyed by the flames with the total damage estimated to have been about $600,000. Two children, who lived in the building in where the fire started, lost their lives as well. The fire was so large that assistance had to be provided by the Lowville Fire Department, who sent a train into town with supplies and men.The fire has its origin in a back yard bon fire that accidentally made its way into the Grounert Café building where two children of the family were trapped in the smoke filled building. The children were eventually rescued from the blaze but both died almost immediately afterwards.
The firefighters who were excited by the rescue, underestimated the danger of the fire to spread to nearby structures. Most of the buildings at the time were wooden structures which allowed the fire to spread quickly from building to building. The spreading happened so quickly that firefighters were driven from the hydrants so quickly that they, at times did not have time to shut them off. This weakened the water pressure significantly which later handicapped the effort to stop the blaze.
The fire had crossed the street setting both sides ablaze. Thirty-two buildings were destroyed, including the post office, a general store, Peter Shinbourne’s Shoe factory, William Ritz’s Café, Raymond Lee’s five and ten cent store, Norman Martin’s hotel and many people’s homes. On the other side of the street, Monett’s store, many more homes, the Town Hall, Honsicker’s Meat Market, S.E. Simon’s Drug Store, and Marilley’s General Store were also destroyed. Marilley’s Store alone lost an estimated $50,000 in damages. The Town Hall and Opera House both of which had been recently remodeled a large expense.
The local fire department realized that they needed assistance and made a call for help to Lowville. A train was sent with a chemical engine, 1,500 feet of hose and a company of fifteen firemen. Much of the hose was lost because it could not be disconnected from the hydrants in time. The Farney & Steiner and Virkler feed and grist mills were destroyed along with much value machinery, one of the mill owners lost about $200,000.
The fire was eventually stopped after firefighters concentrated their efforts. The fire ended just short of St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church. The Franciscan monastery with the large school building connected with it was also saved. On the opposite side of the street the blaze stopped at the Basselin Mansion, both of which still stand there today.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 182.1 square miles (471.5 km²), of which, 179.4 square miles (464.7 km²) of it is land and 2.7 square miles (6.9 km²) of it (1.46%) is water.
The west town line is partly the border of Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
, and the east town line is the border of Herkimer County
Herkimer County, New York
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
.
The Black River
Black River (New York)
The Black River is a blackwater river that empties into the eastern end of Lake Ontario on the shore of Jefferson County, New York in the United States of America...
defines the west town line. The Indian River flows out from the northwest part of the town. The Beaver River
Beaver River (New York)
The Beaver River is a small mountain stream which flows from the Adirondack Mountains to the Black River at Naumberg, north of Lowville in northwestern New York. The Beaver flows through parts of Hamilton, Herkimer, and Lewis counties...
flows through the south part of Croghan.
New York State Route 812
New York State Route 812
New York State Route 812 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 12 and NY 26 in the Lewis County village of Lowville...
is a north-south highway in the town. NY-812 intersects New York State Route 126
New York State Route 126
New York State Route 126 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States. It proceeds in a roughly northwest to southeast direction between NY 12 at the eastern city line of Watertown in central Jefferson County and NY 812 in the village of Croghan in...
at the south town line. NY-126 intersects east-west highway New York State Route 410
New York State Route 410
New York State Route 410 is a state highway in Lewis County, New York, United States, that serves as a connector between NY 26, NY 126, and the village of Castorland.-Route description:...
by the west town line.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,161 people, 1,115 households, and 855 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 17.6 people per square mile (6.8/km²). There were 1,664 housing units at an average density of 9.3 per square mile (3.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.24% White, 0.13% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.06% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.47% of the population.
There were 1,115 households out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.3% were non-families. 18.7% 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 2.83 and the average family size was 3.25.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 22.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $34,722, and the median income for a family was $39,267. Males had a median income of $28,712 versus $19,423 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $13,408. About 9.0% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 15.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Croghan
- Beaver Falls —- A hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
west of Croghan village. - Beaver Falls Airport this was an emergency landing only hasn't been used in years—An airportAirportAn airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
west of Beaver Falls. - Belfort —- A hamlet northeast of Croghan village.
- Bishas Mill – A location on the east town line east of Jerden Falls. Both are now only cellar holes
- CroghanCroghan (village), New YorkCroghan is a village in Lewis County, New York, USA. Its population was 665 at the 2000 census.The village is situated mainly in the south part of the town of Croghan, with a small part in New Bremen...
— The Village of Croghan is at the south town line on NY-812 and the Beaver River. - Dutton Corners – A location in the north part of the town, northwest of Jerden Falls.
- Forest City – A hamlet northwest of Croghan village.
- High Falls —- A hamlet northeast of Croghan village.
- Indian River — A hamlet north of Croghan village on NY-812.
- Jerden Falls – A location in the north part of the town. Once had a large tannery and associated hamlet.
- Karter Crossing – A location on the west town line near north Croghan Crossing.
- NaumburgAnd the subdivision Snipe Island (earlier, "Prussian Settlement") —- A hamlet at the junction of Routes NY-126 and NY-410 at the southwest corner of the town near the Black River.
- North Croghan – A hamlet in Jefferson County, west of North Croghan Crossing.
- North Croghan Crossing – A location at the west town line.
- Soft Maple —- A hamlet near the east town line. Consists of camps and a powerplant
- Texas – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town.