Massena (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Massena is a town in St. Lawrence County
, New York
, United States
. The town is on the northern border of the county and is nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fourth Coast". The population was 13,121 at the 2000 census. The town of Massena contains a village also called Massena
. The town and its village are named after a hero of the Napoleonic Wars
.
Massena is home to an Alcoa
plant, and a former Reynolds Metals Company plant, now called Alcoa East (temporarily idled in July 2009). Massena is also home to a former General Motors
aluminum engine-casting plant that is one of the most polluted sites once owned by the company.
The New York Power Authority also operates a hydroelectric power generating dam, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, on the St. Lawrence River adjacent to Massena.
1792. The land was leased from native Mohawk
who called the area, "Nikentsiake, "where the fish live." Unlike much of northern New York, Massena was not completely in the Macomb's Purchase
.
Massena was one of the first towns of the county and was incorporated with the county in 1802. The town is named after one of Napoleon's field marshals, André Masséna
, who commanded around that time. Parts of Massena later separated to form other towns in the county, including Hopkinton
in 1805, Louisville
in 1810, and Brasher
in 1825.
The economy of early Massena was partly based on health spa
s, but the modern town is involved in power production, aluminum production at ALCOA
and the commerce of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The town suffered natural disasters in 1944 (earthquake
) and in 1998 (ice storm).
Massena was a scene for a "blood libel" accusation against the 100 or so Jewish residents living in the city in 1928. This story made headlines in local newspapers.
, the town has a total area of 56.1 mi2, of which 44.7 mi2 is land and 11.5 mi2(20.43%) is water.
The north town line of Massena is the international border of Canada
, defined partly by the St. Lawrence River. The eastern town line is the border of Franklin County
.
The Raquette River
and the Grasse River
flow eastward and parallel across the town with the Raquette River being the more southerly. Both are tributaries of the St. Lawrence River.
New York State Route 37
, New York State Route 37B
, New York State Route 131
are east-west highways across the town. Of these, NY-131 follows the most northern route, along the south bank of the St. Lawerence River. New York State Route 420
is a north-south highway that intersects NY-37 in Massena village. New York State Route 37C intersects NY-37 in the eastern corner of the town.
of 2000, there were 13,121 people, 5,510 households, and 3,454 families residing in the town. The population density
was 293.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,880 housing units at an average density of 131.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.80% White, 0.30% Black or African American
, 3.25% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races
, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 5,510 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples
living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,391, and the median income for a family was $38,696. Males had a median income of $37,484 versus $20,819 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,111. About 14.9% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
, located east of Massena village, south of NY-37.
44.933°N 74.892°W
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
, 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 town is on the northern border of the county and is nicknamed "The Gateway to the Fourth Coast". The population was 13,121 at the 2000 census. The town of Massena contains a village also called Massena
Massena (village), New York
Massena is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 13,589 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Andre Massena, one of Napoleon's generals....
. The town and its village are named after a hero of the Napoleonic Wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
.
Massena is home to an Alcoa
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
plant, and a former Reynolds Metals Company plant, now called Alcoa East (temporarily idled in July 2009). Massena is also home to a former General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
aluminum engine-casting plant that is one of the most polluted sites once owned by the company.
The New York Power Authority also operates a hydroelectric power generating dam, the St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project, on the St. Lawrence River adjacent to Massena.
History
The town was first settled circaCirca
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1792. The land was leased from native Mohawk
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
who called the area, "Nikentsiake, "where the fish live." Unlike much of northern New York, Massena was not completely in the Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase
Macomb's Purchase is a large historical area of northern New York, USA purchased from the state in 1791 by Alexander Macomb, who had become rich as a merchant in the American Revolution.-History and geography:...
.
Massena was one of the first towns of the county and was incorporated with the county in 1802. The town is named after one of Napoleon's field marshals, André Masséna
André Masséna
André Masséna 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
, who commanded around that time. Parts of Massena later separated to form other towns in the county, including Hopkinton
Hopkinton, New York
Hopkinton is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York in the United States. The population was 1,020 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from early settlers with the name Hopkins....
in 1805, Louisville
Louisville, New York
Louisville is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 3,195 at the 2000 census. The town is reportedly named after a French king, but it is pronounced as "Lewis-ville."...
in 1810, and Brasher
Brasher, New York
Brasher is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The population was 2,337 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Philip Brasher, an original landowner....
in 1825.
The economy of early Massena was partly based on health spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
s, but the modern town is involved in power production, aluminum production at ALCOA
Alcoa
Alcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
and the commerce of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
The town suffered natural disasters in 1944 (earthquake
1944 Cornwall-Massena earthquake
The 1944 Cornwall-Massena earthquake occurred on Tuesday, September 5, 1944, at roughly 12:40am EST in Massena, New York. It was registered as a magnitude 5.8 on the Richter scale and was felt for a great distance. This area is part of the Saint Lawrence River Valley and the seismically active...
) and in 1998 (ice storm).
Massena was a scene for a "blood libel" accusation against the 100 or so Jewish residents living in the city in 1928. This story made headlines in local newspapers.
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 56.1 mi2, of which 44.7 mi2 is land and 11.5 mi2(20.43%) is water.
The north town line of Massena is the international border of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, defined partly by the St. Lawrence River. The eastern town line is the border of Franklin County
Franklin County, New York
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 51,599. It is named in honor of American Founding Father Benjamin Franklin...
.
The Raquette River
Raquette River
The Raquette River, sometimes spelled Racquette, originates at Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. long, it is the third longest river entirely in the state of New York....
and the Grasse River
Grasse River
The Grasse River or Grass River is a river in northern New York, in the United States...
flow eastward and parallel across the town with the Raquette River being the more southerly. Both are tributaries of the St. Lawrence River.
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
, New York State Route 37B
New York State Route 37B
New York State Route 37B is an east–west state highway located in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. It serves as a business route of NY 37 through the village of Massena. While NY 37B enters the village, NY 37 bypasses it to the south. The western terminus of the...
, New York State Route 131
New York State Route 131
New York State Route 131 is a long state highway in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. It serves as a coastal alternate route to NY 37, going around the village of Massena instead of through it. NY 131 leaves NY 37 in the town of Louisville and rejoins it in the...
are east-west highways across the town. Of these, NY-131 follows the most northern route, along the south bank of the St. Lawerence River. New York State Route 420
New York State Route 420
New York State Route 420 is a north–south state highway in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in the town of Stockholm. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 37 in the village of...
is a north-south highway that intersects NY-37 in Massena village. New York State Route 37C intersects NY-37 in the eastern corner of the town.
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 13,121 people, 5,510 households, and 3,454 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 293.7 PD/sqmi. There were 5,880 housing units at an average density of 131.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 94.80% White, 0.30% 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...
, 3.25% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% 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 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.07% of the population.
There were 5,510 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% 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, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $31,391, and the median income for a family was $38,696. Males had a median income of $37,484 versus $20,819 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 $18,111. About 14.9% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.4% of those under age 18 and 10.8% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Massena
- Barnhardt Island – An islandIslandAn island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Massena village. The island is at the international border and is the northermost point of land in New York. - Long Sault Island ("Isle au Long Saut") – An island in the St. Lawrence River north of Massena village.
- MassenaMassena (village), New YorkMassena is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 13,589 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Andre Massena, one of Napoleon's generals....
– A village at the west town line on both banks of the Grasse River. - Massena CenterMassena Center, New YorkMassena Center is a small hamlet in Town of Massena, St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. It is made up of 89 homes and several small businesses.- History :...
– A hamlet northeast of Massena village. - Massena Power Canal – A waterway connecting the Grasse River to the St. Lawrence River.
- Massena Springs – A hamlet south of Massena village by the Raquette RiverRaquette RiverThe Raquette River, sometimes spelled Racquette, originates at Raquette Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York. long, it is the third longest river entirely in the state of New York....
. The community was the site of health resorts and hotels based on sulphurous spring water. - Raquette River – A hamlet east of Massena village, located by the Raquette River. It was first settled around 1804.
- Robert Moses State Park – A state parkState parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in the northern part of the town. - RooseveltownRooseveltown, New YorkRooseveltown, New York is a hamlet in the town of Massena, New York, United States located in St. Lawrence County, New York. It is near the eastern town line by the Raquette River....
– A hamlet near the eastern town line by the Raquette River. - Wiley Dondero Canal – A waterway constructed as part of the St. Lawrence power project.
Transportation
The town is served by Massena International AirportMassena International Airport
Massena International Airport , also known as Richards Field, is a public airport located two miles east of the central business district of Massena, a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, USA. The airport, owned by the Town of Massena, covers and has two runways...
, located east of Massena village, south of NY-37.
Radio
- 1340 WMSA www.1340wmsa.com
- WVLF-FM Mix 96.1WVLFWVLF is a radio station broadcasting a mix of adult contemporary and Hot Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Norwood, New York, USA, the station is currently owned by Stephens Media Group....
www.mymix961.com - WRCD-FM 101.5 The FoxWRCDWRCD is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to Canton, New York, USA, the station is currently owned by Stephens Media Group....
www.1015thefox.com
Resources
Some of the town's main employers are Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock, Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam, ALCOA, Massena Memorial Hospital, Highland Nursing Home, and St. Regis Nursing Home.Notable residents
- Zach BogosianZach BogosianZach Bogosian is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Winnipeg Jets. The first person of Armenian descent to play in the NHL, Bogosian attended Cushing Academy in Massachusetts before he joined the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League in 2006...
, National Hockey LeagueNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
player - Jim DeshaiesJim DeshaiesJames Joseph "Jim" Deshaies , also known as "JD", is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball and currently a TV commentator with the Houston Astros.- Major-league career :...
, former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player, television color analystColor commentatorA color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
. - Alan HaskvitzAlan HaskvitzMr. Alan Paul Haskvitz is a teacher and author. He has been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame and was named as a "Hero in Education" by Reader's Digest. He currently teaches eighth grade history at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut, California...
, National Teachers Hall of Fame educator lived in Massena for ten years. - Mike HurlbutMike HurlbutMike Hurlbut is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1988 NHL Supplemental Draft out of the Skating Saints of Saint Lawrence University...
, retired professional hockey player, collegiate ice hockey coach - Bid McPheeBid McPheeJohn Alexander "Bid" McPhee was a 19th century Major League Baseball second baseman. He played 18 seasons in the majors, from until , all for the Cincinnati Reds franchise. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in...
, former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player and member of the Baseball Hall of Fame - Hal SmithHal Smith (actor)Harold John "Hal" Smith was an American character actor and voice actor. Smith is best known as Otis Campbell, the town drunk on The Andy Griffith Show, and was the voice of many characters on various animated cartoon shorts...
, actor
See also
- Andre MassenaAndré MassénaAndré Masséna 1st Duc de Rivoli, 1st Prince d'Essling was a French military commander during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars....
, Napoleonic general. - MassenaMassena, IowaMassena is a city in Cass County, Iowa, United States. The population was 414 at the 2000 census. Massena's motto is: "The Home of Friendly People". Massena's sister community is Cumberland, Iowa...
, IowaIowaIowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, another community, named after Massena, NY.
External links
- Rays-Place.com - Early Massena history
- NorthCountryNow.com - Massena information
- Google Map of Massena
- mymassena.com - Massena Local Online Community
- Massena Historic Map
- Massena blood libel story
44.933°N 74.892°W