Margaretville, New York
Encyclopedia
Margaretville is a village in Delaware County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 643 at the 2000 census.
The Village of Margaretville is in the Town of Middletown
. The village is on the border of the Catskill Park. Margaretville is located at 42°8′51"N 74°39′4"W (42.147496, -74.651090).According to the United States Census Bureau
, the village has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
Margaretville was the hometown of Dr. Orvan Hess
, inventor of the fetal heart monitor and one of the first doctors to successfully treat a patient with penicillin
. Hess' becoming a doctor was inspired by beloved Margaretville physician, Dr. Gordon Maurer.
The village and its surrounding area has been a filming location for scenes from Julian Po
(1997), the primary locale for the award winning You Can Count on Me
(2000), and a secondary location for Stake Land
(2010).
On August 28, 2011 Margaretville sustained major damage from Hurricane Irene
, with the highest level of flooding in recorded history.
of 2000, there were 643 people, 278 households, and 140 families residing in the village. The population density
was 916.8 /sqmi. There were 350 housing units at an average density of 499.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.98% White, 0.47% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.78% Asian, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.
There were 278 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples
living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.6% were non-families. 45.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the village the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 69.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $37,188. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $26,016 for females. The per capita income
for the village was $15,437. About 12.1% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.
Delaware County, New York
Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 643 at the 2000 census.
The Village of Margaretville is in the Town of Middletown
Middletown, Delaware County, New York
Middletown is a town in Delaware County, New York, United States. The population was 4,051 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middletown is in the southeast part of the county.- History :...
. The village is on the border of the Catskill Park. Margaretville is located at 42°8′51"N 74°39′4"W (42.147496, -74.651090).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 village has a total area of 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²), all of it land.
Margaretville was the hometown of Dr. Orvan Hess
Orvan Hess
Orvan Walter Hess was a physician noted for his early use of penicillin and the development of the fetal heart monitor....
, inventor of the fetal heart monitor and one of the first doctors to successfully treat a patient with penicillin
Penicillin
Penicillin is a group of antibiotics derived from Penicillium fungi. They include penicillin G, procaine penicillin, benzathine penicillin, and penicillin V....
. Hess' becoming a doctor was inspired by beloved Margaretville physician, Dr. Gordon Maurer.
The village and its surrounding area has been a filming location for scenes from Julian Po
Julian Po
-Plot:This is the story of a depressed man who comes into a town with no future. The title character wanders into a small sleepy town with the intent to kill himself. When the townspeople learn of his plan, Julian becomes a minor celebrity, and is offered all sorts of free perks since this is the...
(1997), the primary locale for the award winning You Can Count on Me
You Can Count on Me
You Can Count on Me is a 2000 American drama film starring Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Rory Culkin, and Matthew Broderick. Written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, it tells the story of Sammy, a single mother living in a small town, and her complicated relationships with family and friends...
(2000), and a secondary location for Stake Land
Stake Land
Stake Land is a 2010 American post-apocalyptic film directed by Jim Mickle. The plot depicts an orphaned young man being taken under the wing of a vampire hunter known as "Mister".-Cast:*Connor Paolo as Martin*Nick Damici as Mister...
(2010).
On August 28, 2011 Margaretville sustained major damage from Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene (2011)
Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
, with the highest level of flooding in recorded history.
History
- In 1708, Queen AnneAnne of Great BritainAnne ascended the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland on 8 March 1702. On 1 May 1707, under the Act of Union, two of her realms, England and Scotland, were united as a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain.Anne's Catholic father, James II and VII, was deposed during the...
of England gave the Hardenburgh Patent to Johannes HardenberghJohannes HardenberghMajor Johannes Hardenbergh , also known as Sir Johannes Hardenbergh, was the owner of the Hardenbergh patent of land in the Catskill Mountains.-Biography:He was born in Albany, New York, was High Sheriff of Ulster County in 1690...
and his associates. - Chancellor Robert R. Livingston divided 221748 acres (897.4 km²) of the land among his family.
- In 1763 Harmanus DuMond, was deeded seventy-five acres "opposite Margaretville" by Chancellor Livingston.
- 1765 map by Will Cockburn shows a road from Marbletown to Pakatakan (near present day Margaretville and Arkville).
- In the 1770s, the original settlers paid "one hundred forty-nine poundsPound sterlingThe pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
and 19 shillingShillingThe shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
s" to American IndiansNative Americans in the United StatesNative Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
for the land. - In June of 1778, a combined force of Tories and Indians led by Joseph BrantJoseph BrantThayendanegea or Joseph Brant was a Mohawk military and political leader, based in present-day New York, who was closely associated with Great Britain during and after the American Revolution. He was perhaps the most well-known American Indian of his generation...
raided the East Branch of the Delaware including the Margaretville area. - August 26, 1778, general evacuation assisted by guard from Great Shandaken.
- In 1778, the valley’s settlers were driven off by the American Indians. It was here that Tom Quick and Timothy Murphy became famous for their Indian slayings.
- Before the settlers were driven from their homes, they were given a timely and friendly warning by an Indian named Tunis and returned to the Hudson ValleyHudson ValleyThe Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
. The settlers returned after the Revolutionary War. - In 1779, a deed to a Lot No. 39 was given to Livingston’s sister, who married Morgan LewisMorgan Lewis (governor)Morgan Lewis was an American lawyer, politician and military commander.Of Welsh descent, he was the son of Francis Lewis, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He graduated from Princeton in 1773 and began to study law on the advice of his father...
. A daughter, named Margaret, was born to them. - In 1784, Ignos DuMond was the first settler in the current village. He sold his claim of land for $100 to John Tompkins, who then built the first sawmill.
- 1784 settlers return to area, including Ignos DuMond, nephew of Harmanus DuMond
- In 1820, the Old Stone Schoolhouse at DunravenDunravenDunraven may refer to:*Earl of Dunraven and Mount-Earl*HMS Dunraven*SS Dunraven*Dunraven school*Dunraven Pass - a mountain pass in Yellowstone National Park...
was built. - By 1831, Orson M. Allaben began the practice of medicine. Dr. Allaben was also made first postmaster in June 1848, when Margaretville was designated as a post office station. It was actually a small addition made onto the G.G. Decker store.
- In 1850, the village was named in honor of Margaret Lewis (Livingston's granddaughter). Until then, it had been known as Middletown Center, which took its name from its location, in the middle valley drained by the HudsonHudson RiverThe Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
, DelawareDelaware RiverThe Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
and Susquehanna RiverSusquehanna RiverThe Susquehanna River is a river located in the northeastern United States. At long, it is the longest river on the American east coast that drains into the Atlantic Ocean, and with its watershed it is the 16th largest river in the United States, and the longest river in the continental United...
s. It is one of the oldest towns in Delaware CountyDelaware County, New YorkDelaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of 2010 the population was 47,980. The county seat is Delhi. It is named after the Delaware River, which was named in honor of Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, appointed governor of Virginia in 1609.-History:When counties...
. - On 1875 May 8, the village became incorporated.
- in 1894, William H. Eells started the Margaretville Messenger newspaper.
- In 1904, Clarke A. Sanford bought the Margaretville Messenger and changed the name to the Catskill Mountain News. Sanford’s editorial column was titled “Mountain Dew,” and ran until the 1960s
- In 1905, the Delaware and Eastern Railroad (later changed to the Delaware and Northern RailroadDelaware and Northern RailroadThe Delaware and Northern Railroad was a small railroad in Delaware County that was founded in 1905, and was planned to go from East Branch, where it would make a connection with the New York, Ontario and Western Railway, to Arkville, where it would connect with the Ulster and Delaware...
) was built. The railroad era lasted only into the 1940s. - In 1907, Sanford brought the first automobile (a Pope-Toledo) to Margaretville.
- In 1922, Sanford built the Galli-Curci TheatreGalli-Curci TheatreThe Galli-Curci Theatre is located on Main Street in Margaretville, New York, United States. It is a brick building erected in the 1920s, now primarily used as a store, although some of the original theater remains...
(named for the singer Amelita Galli-CurciAmelita Galli-CurciAmelita Galli-Curci was an Italian operatic soprano. She was one of the best-known coloratura singers of the early 20th century with her gramophone records selling in large numbers.-Early life:...
) on Main Street. - In 1925, Dr. Gordon Bostwick Maurer moved to the community and his village home quickly became a “veritable hospital”.
- On 1930 October 21, the Margaretville Hospital was incorporated, and was built using a two-story white farmhouse near the current high school.
- On 1931 January 13, the Margaretville Hospital was opened. It was run by Dr. Maurer until his untimely death in 1938.
- in 1939, the Margaretville Central School replaced a number of smaller local schools.
- in 1944 the Margaretville Hospital was expanded, and again in 1947.
- In 1954, the Pepacton ReservoirPepacton ReservoirThe Pepacton Reservoir, also known as the Downsville Reservoir or the Downsville Dam, is a reservoir in Delaware County, New York that was formed by impounding over ¼ of the East Branch of the Delaware River...
dam was finished, submerging the neighboring villages of Arena, Union Grove, Shavertown, and Pepacton over the next year. This caused a drop in local trade, but the project did give the village its own sewer system. - In 1969, the Margaretville Memorial Hospital (dedicated to Dr. Maurer) replaced the older facility.
- On 1996 January 19, the entire downtown was damaged in a flood. The village lost 10 homes, a gas station, and a diner/ice cream shop.
- In 1999, circa June, the film You Can Count on MeYou Can Count on MeYou Can Count on Me is a 2000 American drama film starring Laura Linney, Mark Ruffalo, Rory Culkin, and Matthew Broderick. Written and directed by Kenneth Lonergan, it tells the story of Sammy, a single mother living in a small town, and her complicated relationships with family and friends...
was filmed in and around the village. - On 2006 June 28, a smaller flood, washed out the annual Fireman’s fund-raising carnival. (pictures, from the village’s website)
- On 2007 April 24, Travis Trim of North Lawrence, NY, shot a State Trooper, who was saved by his bulletproof vest. The following day Trim died during a shootout in Arkville, New YorkArkville, New YorkArkville is a hamlet of the Town of Middletown, New York, United States. It is located along state highway NY 28 a mile north of the village of Margaretville in the western Catskill Mountains. It has the ZIP Code 12406....
. - In 2009 (November & December) scenes for Stake LandStake LandStake Land is a 2010 American post-apocalyptic film directed by Jim Mickle. The plot depicts an orphaned young man being taken under the wing of a vampire hunter known as "Mister".-Cast:*Connor Paolo as Martin*Nick Damici as Mister...
—starring Kelly McGillisKelly McGillisKelly Ann McGillis is an American actress. Her films include Top Gun, The Accused, and Witness, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination.-Career:...
and Danielle HarrisDanielle HarrisDanielle Andrea Harris is an American film and television actress, best known as a scream queen for her roles in several horror films, four of them in the Halloween series: in Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers and Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers as Jamie Lloyd and in Halloween and...
—were filmed in the community. - On August 28, 2011, Hurricane IreneHurricane Irene (2011)Hurricane Irene was a large and powerful Atlantic hurricane that left extensive flood and wind damage along its path through the Caribbean, the United States East Coast and as far north as Atlantic Canada in 2011...
caused record flooding and damage. Many buildings sustained structural damage, and over 100 residents had to take shelter in the village fire station. The water peaked at over a foot above the previous record from the 1996 flood. - On August 29, 2011, the village's CVS Pharmacy collapsed as the flood waters receded.
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 643 people, 278 households, and 140 families residing in the village. 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 916.8 /sqmi. There were 350 housing units at an average density of 499.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.98% White, 0.47% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.78% Asian, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.93% of the population.
There were 278 households out of which 21.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% 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, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.6% were non-families. 45.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 25.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.99 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the village the population was spread out with 19.3% under the age of 18, 3.0% from 18 to 24, 20.8% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 34.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 69.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 69.1 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $27,500, and the median income for a family was $37,188. Males had a median income of $32,500 versus $26,016 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 village was $15,437. About 12.1% of families and 16.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.0% of those under age 18 and 15.4% of those age 65 or over.