Amenia (town), New York
Encyclopedia
- For the unincorporated community, see Amenia (CDP)Amenia (CDP), New YorkAmenia is a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 1,115 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined...
, New YorkNew YorkNew 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...
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Amenia is a town in Dutchess County
Dutchess County, New York
Dutchess County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The 2010 census lists the population as 297,488...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. 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 4,048 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word, amoena, which means "pleasant to the eye."
The Town of Amenia is on the east border of the county. The town has train service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
via the Metro North Railroad. The local train station is called Wassaic
Wassaic (Metro-North station)
The Wassaic Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Wassaic, New York as the northern terminal of the Harlem Line. Trains leave for New York City every two hours, and about every 30 minutes during rush hour...
, after the hamlet of Wassaic
Wassaic, New York
Wassaic is a hamlet in the Town of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York in the United States.Wassaic is located in southeast New York State and surrounded by the East and West Mountains and along the Tenmile River....
--a part of Amenia.
History
The town was first settled around 1704. The town was part of the Great Nine Partners PatentGreat Nine Partners Patent
The Great Nine Partners Patent, also known as the "Lower Nine Partners Patent," was a land grant in Dutchess County, New York, USA made in 1697.-The partners:* John Aarston * William Creed* James Emott * Hendrick ten Eyck...
of 1697. The Town of Amenia was officially formed in 1788.
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 43.6 square miles (112.8 km²), of which, 43.3 square miles (112.2 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (0.57%) is water.
The east town line is the border of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. US Route 44 crosses the north part 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 4,048 people, 1,625 households, and 1,074 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 93.5 people per square mile (36.1/km²). There were 1,814 housing units at an average density of 41.9 per square mile (16.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 93.40% White, 2.94% 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...
, 0.59% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.77% 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 1.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.36% of the population.
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, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $39,231, and the median income for a family was $51,294. Males had a median income of $32,038 versus $28,769 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 $22,095. About 3.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
The main thoroughfare of Amenia is New York State Route 22New 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...
. State Route 22 runs through every town on the East side of Dutchess County. Metro-North Railroad
Metro-North Railroad
The Metro-North Commuter Railroad , trading as MTA Metro-North Railroad, or, more commonly, Metro-North, is a suburban commuter rail service that is run and managed by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , an authority of New York State. It is the busiest commuter railroad in the United...
has two rail commuter rail stations in Amenia, with service to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
via the Harlem Line. The Tenmile River station
Tenmile River (Metro-North station)
The Tenmile River Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Amenia, New York via the Harlem Line. About every two hours trains depart bound for Southeast which connect to trains for New York City with service to Grand Central Terminal...
is off Sinpatch Road east of Route 22, and the Wassaic station
Wassaic (Metro-North station)
The Wassaic Metro-North Railroad station serves the residents of Wassaic, New York as the northern terminal of the Harlem Line. Trains leave for New York City every two hours, and about every 30 minutes during rush hour...
is 2 miles (3.2 km) north of Tenmile River in a swamp. Trains leave every two hours during midday, evenings and weekends. In rush hour, peak-direction trains leave about every 30 minutes.
Communities and locations in Amenia
- AmeniaAmenia (CDP), New YorkAmenia is a hamlet in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 1,115 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined...
– A census-designated placeCensus-designated placeA census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
and hamlet in the northeast part of the town. - Amenia Union – A hamlet on the east town line on the border with Connecticut.
- Leedsville – A location in the northeast part of the town, east of Amenia (CDP).
- Sharon Station – A hamlet at the north town line.
- Smithfield – A hamlet on the town line in the northwest part of the town.
- South Amenia – A hamlet at the junction of Routes 2 and 3 in the east part of the town.
- WassaicWassaic, New YorkWassaic is a hamlet in the Town of Amenia, Dutchess County, New York in the United States.Wassaic is located in southeast New York State and surrounded by the East and West Mountains and along the Tenmile River....
– A hamlet in the south central part of the town. - Wassaic Creek – A stream on the west side of the town, passing through the community of Wassaic.
Buildings in Amenia listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Buildings in Amenia listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
include:
- Beth David SynagogueBeth David Synagogue (Amenia, New York)Beth David Synagogue, formally known as Congregation Beth David, is located on East Main Street in the hamlet of Amenia, New York, United States. It is a small brick European-style building erected in the late 1920s....
- Indian Rock SchoolhouseIndian Rock SchoolhouseIndian Rock Schoolhouse, also known as District 3 Schoolhouse or Webutuck Country Schoolhouse, is located on Mygatt Road in the hamlet of Amenia, New York, United States...
- Lewis Mumford HouseLewis Mumford HouseThe Lewis Mumford House is located on Leedsville Road in the Town of Amenia, New York, United States. It is a white Federal style building dating to the 1830s....
- Hendrik Winegar HouseHendrik Winegar HouseHendrik Winegar House was a historic home located at Amenia in Dutchess County, New York. The structure was demolished after decades of neglect. It was built about 1761 and is a -story, rectangular house on a high basement built of thick fieldstone and brick walls. It had a steeply pitched gable...
- St. Thomas Episcopal ChurchSt. Thomas Episcopal Church (Amenia Union, New York)St. Thomas' Episcopal Church is located on Leedsville Road in Amenia Union, New York, United States. It is a mid-19th century brick church designed by Richard Upjohn in the Gothic Revival architectural style, built for a congregation organized shortly before.It is considered one of the finest...
Notable residents
- Gail BordenGail BordenGail Borden, Jr. was a 19th century U.S. inventor, surveyor, and publisher, and was the inventor of condensed milk in 1853.- Early years :...
, inventor of condensed milkCondensed milkCondensed milk, also known as sweetened condensed milk, is cow's milk from which water has been removed and to which sugar has been added, yielding a very thick, sweet product which when canned can last for years without refrigeration if unopened. The two terms, condensed milk and sweetened...
, established his first factory here. - Obadiah GermanObadiah GermanObadiah German was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was admitted to the bar in 1792, and commenced practice in Norwich....
, (1766–1842), born in Amenia, United States Senator. - Samuel Herrick, (1779–1852), born in Amenia, United States Congressman from OhioOhioOhio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. - John MillerJohn Miller (NY congressman)John Miller was an American physician and politician from New York.-Life:...
, (1774–1862), born in Amenia, physician and United States Congressman from New York. - Lewis MumfordLewis MumfordLewis Mumford was an American historian, philosopher of technology, and influential literary critic. Particularly noted for his study of cities and urban architecture, he had a broad career as a writer...
, historian of science, lived and died in Amenia. - Frank StellaFrank StellaFrank Stella is an American painter and printmaker, significant within the art movements of minimalism and post-painterly abstraction.-Biography:...
, painter, resided in Amenia. - Joel Benton, poet, resided in Amenia.
- Erastus Otis HavenErastus Otis HavenErastus Otis Haven was an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, elected in 1880, and the president of several universities.-Biography:...
Bishop of the Methodist Church, formerly Principal of Amenia Seminary (1846). - Michael ColeMichael ColeMichael Sean Coulthard , better known by his ring name Michael Cole, is an American professional wrestling commentator, currently signed to WWE on both its Rawand SmackDown brands. Coulthard is a former news journalist....
television broadcaster for World Wrestling Entertainment. - Joel Elias SpingarnJoel Elias SpingarnJoel Elias Spingarn was an American educator, literary critic, and civil rights activist.-Biography:Spingarn was born in New York City to a well-to-do family. He graduated from Columbia College in 1895...
, an American educator, literary critic, and civil rights activist.
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton was an American film actress known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz...
's ashes were scattered here after her cremation at Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie (town), New York
Poughkeepsie is a town in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The population was 42,777 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the native term, "Uppu-qui-ipis-in," which means "reed-covered hut by the water."...
Rural Cemetery. She was best known for her role as Miss Almira Gulch/Wicked Witch of the West
Wicked Witch of the West
The Wicked Witch of the West is a fictional character and the most significant antagonist in L. Frank Baum's children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
in The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
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Schools
- Webutuck Schools
- Maplebrook SchoolMaplebrook SchoolMaplebrook School is a small boarding school in Amenia, New York, that serves adolescents and young adults with learning differences.-History and Goals:Maplebrook School was founded in 1945 by Serena Merck, Marjorie Finger and Sunny Barlow...
- Kildonan School