Whitehall (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Whitehall is a town in Washington County
, New York
, United States
. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 4,035 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Whitehall contains a village also named Whitehall
.
Whitehall was first called "Skenesborough" in 1759 when it was settled by a land grant to British officer Philip Skene. During the French and Indian War, the town was one of two major routes connecting the English and French Colonies.
During the American Revolution, the village, Skenesborough, was captured by American forces in 1774. Benedict Arnold
under Philip Schuyler
built a fleet of vessels to confront British forces at Valcour Island
(thus the claim that this is the birthplace of the US Navy
). The surviving American vessels returned here to be destroyed to keep them from falling into enemy hands. The next year John Burgoyne
led his forces through this area en route to the Battle of Saratoga
. After the war, the name was changed to Whitehall.
During the War of 1812
the area was used to build ships to battle British forces on Lake Champlain, culminating at the Battle of Plattsburgh
.
In 1823, the Champlain Canal
was completed to Whitehall. The Saratoga and Rensselaer Railroad was extended to Whitehall in 1848.
During the second half of the 19th Century, the silk industry grew important in the town.
Because of the actions in 1775 and 1776, the legislature of the State of New York in 1960 declared Whitehall to be the birthplace of the United States Navy.
, the town has a total area of 58.8 square miles (152.2 km²), of which, 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²) of it (1.94%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Vermont
. The Champlain Canal passes through the west part of the town. The South Bay of Lake Champlain
forms part of the west town line.
Conjoined US Route 4 and NY Route 22
form a north-south highway through Whitehall. US-4 turns east at Whitehall village, where NY-22 turns west to the Town of Dresden.
of 2000, there were 4,035 people, 1,611 households, and 1,098 families residing in the town. The population density
was 70.0 people per square mile (27.0/km²). There were 1,877 housing units at an average density of 32.6 per square mile (12.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.99% White, 0.20% Black or African American
, 0.25% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.55% from other races
, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.
There were 1,611 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples
living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,734, and the median income for a family was $43,590. Males had a median income of $35,365 versus $20,861 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,831. About 10.9% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Washington County, New York
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 63,216. It was named for the Revolutionary War general George Washington...
, 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...
. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 4,035 at the 2000 census.
The Town of Whitehall contains a village also named Whitehall
Whitehall (village), New York
Whitehall is a village located in the town of Whitehall in Washington County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
History
During the late 17th Century, the area was a staging ground for raids between English and French colonies.Whitehall was first called "Skenesborough" in 1759 when it was settled by a land grant to British officer Philip Skene. During the French and Indian War, the town was one of two major routes connecting the English and French Colonies.
During the American Revolution, the village, Skenesborough, was captured by American forces in 1774. Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
under Philip Schuyler
Philip Schuyler
Philip John Schuyler was a general in the American Revolution and a United States Senator from New York. He is usually known as Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as Philip J. Schuyler.-Early life:...
built a fleet of vessels to confront British forces at Valcour Island
Valcour Island
Valcour Island is an island in Lake Champlain in Clinton County, New York, USA. The island is mostly in the Town of Peru and partly in the Town of Plattsburgh, southeast of the City of Plattsburgh....
(thus the claim that this is the birthplace of the US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
). The surviving American vessels returned here to be destroyed to keep them from falling into enemy hands. The next year John Burgoyne
John Burgoyne
General John Burgoyne was a British army officer, politician and dramatist. He first saw action during the Seven Years' War when he participated in several battles, mostly notably during the Portugal Campaign of 1762....
led his forces through this area en route to the Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
. After the war, the name was changed to Whitehall.
During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
the area was used to build ships to battle British forces on Lake Champlain, culminating at the Battle of Plattsburgh
Battle of Plattsburgh
The Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the northern states during the War of 1812...
.
In 1823, the Champlain Canal
Champlain Canal
The Champlain Canal is a canal that connects the south end of Lake Champlain to the Hudson River in New York. It was simultaneously constructed with the Erie Canal and is now part of the New York State Canal System and the Lakes to Locks Passage....
was completed to Whitehall. The Saratoga and Rensselaer Railroad was extended to Whitehall in 1848.
During the second half of the 19th Century, the silk industry grew important in the town.
Because of the actions in 1775 and 1776, the legislature of the State of New York in 1960 declared Whitehall to be the birthplace of the United States Navy.
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 58.8 square miles (152.2 km²), of which, 57.6 square miles (149.2 km²) of it is land and 1.1 square miles (3.0 km²) of it (1.94%) is water.
The north town line is the border of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The Champlain Canal passes through the west part of the town. The South Bay of Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is a natural, freshwater lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States but partially situated across the Canada—United States border in the Canadian province of Quebec.The New York portion of the Champlain Valley includes the eastern portions of...
forms part of the west town line.
Conjoined US Route 4 and NY Route 22
New York State Route 22
New York State Route 22 is a north–south state highway in eastern New York in the United States. It runs parallel to the state's eastern edge from the outskirts of New York City to a short distance south of the Canadian border. At , it is the state's longest north–south route and...
form a north-south highway through Whitehall. US-4 turns east at Whitehall village, where NY-22 turns west to the Town of Dresden.
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 4,035 people, 1,611 households, and 1,098 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 70.0 people per square mile (27.0/km²). There were 1,877 housing units at an average density of 32.6 per square mile (12.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.99% White, 0.20% 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...
, 0.25% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.55% 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 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.
There were 1,611 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% 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, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.8% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.9 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,734, and the median income for a family was $43,590. Males had a median income of $35,365 versus $20,861 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 $16,831. About 10.9% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
- East Bay Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area northeast of Whitehall village.
- East Whitehall – A hamlet by the east town line at County Roads 18 and 21.
- Grays Corner – A hamlet southeast of Whitehall village on County Road 12.
- WhitehallWhitehall (village), New YorkWhitehall is a village located in the town of Whitehall in Washington County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area...
– The Village of Whitehall, located at the junction of NY-22 and US-4 in the northern part of the town.
Geographical locations
- Brown Pond – A lake in the southeast part of Whitehall.
- Castle Creek – A tributary of the Mettawee River.
- Death Rock – An elevation north of West Mountain.
- Dolph Pond – A lake in the southwest part of Whitehall.
- Mettawee River – A stream flowing into the Champlain Canal.
- Mud Brook – A stream flowing into the Champlain Canal south of Whitehall village.
- Ore Bed Hill – An elevation northeast of Grays Corner.
- Tub Mountain – An elevation southwest of Grays Corner.
- Warner Hill – An elevation north of Whitehall village.
- West Mountain – An elevation near South Bay.
- Wood Creek – A creek used to define the course of the Champlain Canal.