Norwich (city), New York
Encyclopedia
Norwich is a city in Chenango County
, New York
, United States
. Surrounded on all sides by the Town of Norwich
, the city is the county seat
of Chenango County. The name is taken from Norwich, Connecticut
. Its population was 7,355 at the 2000 census
.
Lt. Warren Eaton Airport
(OIC), serving the area, is located north of the city in the Town of North Norwich
.
(now in Broome County
) and Bainbridge
. Afterwards, Norwich, as a "mother town" of the county, lost substantial territory in the formation of new towns. In 1806, Norwich gave up territory to form the Towns of Pharsalia
, Plymouth
and Preston
. More of Norwich was lost in 1807 to form part of the New Berlin
and part of the Town of Columbus
. In 1808 and 1820, Norwich exchanged territory with the Town of Preston.
The community of Norwich, set itself off from the town in 1816 by incorporating as a village, later becoming the City of Norwich in 1914.
, the city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.3 km²), all of it land.
Norwich is located in upstate New York, in the Chenango River
Valley. The river winds south along the eastern edge of the city. Along the western border, the Canasawacta Creek flows south, until it unites with the Chenango River
at the southern city limits. The streets are regularly laid out, many lined with shade trees. The city is bordered by hills to the east and west, where one may find hiking and cross country skiing
trails. The Whaupaunaucau State Forest located in the village of North Norwich is popular for year-round recreation.
, Albany
, and Binghamton, along Interstates 90, 88, and 81, respectively. The City is located in the center of this triangle, on the intersection between New York State Route 12
and New York State Route 23
. State Highway 12 is often known simply as "Route 12", "State Route 12" (or SR12), or merely "12", and similar naming colloquial conventions with State Highway 23 are used.
Norwich is positioned on Route 12 roughly between the larger cities of Utica and access to Interstate 90
to the North, and Binghamton, NY (and the Triple Cities) and access to Interstate 81
and Future Interstate 86
(currently New York State Route 17
, known as the Southern Tier Expressway) to the south. State Highway 23, which cuts laterally through the northern side of the city, leads eastward to the "college town" city of Oneonta
and access to Interstate 88
and westward on 23 heads in the direction of Cortland
and Interstate 81
.
Being slightly closer to Binghamton, Norwich residents and locals tend to have a stronger relationship with the Greater Binghamton Area than with the Utica area. The Greater Binghamton Area of the nicknamed "Triple Cities" of Binghamton, Johnson City
, and Endicott
, as well as the Town of Vestal
, known in the area for having a substantial commercial strip along the Vestal Parkway, offers most of the services, goods, cuisine and recreational opportunities that are unavailable in Norwich. The college town of Cortland is occasionally a destination due to the lack of medical specialists in the area, and to gain access to Interstate 81. Syracuse and Albany are also occasional, but common, destinations as both of these larger New York cities have large universities, extensive hospital services and the malls and recreational facilities that far surpass those of any of the nearer locations.
Home Improvement Warehouse and a recently upgraded Super Walmart.
As Norwich maintains a very small-town atmosphere, inhabitants usually travel to the larger nearby cities of Oneonta, Binghamton, Utica, sometimes Cortland, and occasionally the much larger metropolitan areas of Syracuse and Albany for any goods and services that cannot be attained at the local department store, McLaughlins, downtown shops, Walmart or the local supermarkets. Oneonta, being approximately twice the size of Norwich (and having a small mini mall and many more options in the way of food, stores, and college nightlife) is a major destination for citizens who don't wish to drive the slightly longer distance to Binghamton. The Utica and Binghamton Areas are the major destinations for residents doing serious shopping or looking for great variety in food, with the Binghamton area being the common preference.
of 2000, there were 7,355 people, 3,131 households, and 1,671 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,609.0 people per square mile (1,392.0/km²). There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of 1,717.4 per square mile (662.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 1.39% Black or African American
, 0.27% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.19% from other races
, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 3,131 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples
living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,485, and the median income for a family was $39,808. Males had a median income of $33,537 versus $24,430 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,339. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
antiseptic dressing (introduced in 1893) and Pepto-Bismol
, an upset-stomach and anti-diarrhea medication (introduced in 1901 under a different name). The company merged with Morton International, Inc. in 1969 and later became a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble
in 1982.
From 1845 until 1961, Norwich was also the home of the Maydole Hammer Factory. The founder, David Maydole, was an enterprising blacksmith
who set out to create a hammer
with a safely attached head. His hammers proved so successful, that Maydole became the largest hammer manufacturer in the United States
by the time of its founder's death in 1892.
The Chenango Canal, the New York, Ontario & Western Railway, and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad (later Erie-Lackawanna) once served most of the city's transportation needs. Indeed, Norwich was the NYO&W's Northern Division point until operations ceased on March 29, 1957. Until June 2006, the community was served by the New York, Susquehanna and Western, which operated trains on the old DL&W line between Binghamton and Utica. That service ended as a result of flood damage to the portion of the line between Sangerfield and Chenango Forks.
Norwich is a hub for commercial activity in the surrounding area. The Village of Oxford
, as well as other places like Sherburne and Preston, rely on Norwich for low-intensity shopping, eating, movie-going, and for employment opportunities. Due to the lack of development in the surrounding areas, Norwich has a place of prominence as the most populous location in Chenango county, and the only City on route 12 between Binghamton and Utica. Its strategic location and the presence of many pharmacies, more than three large grocery stores, an assortment of fast food restaurants, and a Super Walmart (all of which are practically unavailable on the length of route 12 in a 40-mile radius), make Norwich the first stop for people in surrounding hamlets that don't wish to go to the larger and more-distant areas of Oneonta, Utica or Binghamton. Norwich also has several 24-hour businesses, including a 24-hour supermarket (Price Chopper), three 24-hour gas station/mini-marts, and a 24-hour Super Wal-mart. This is relevant due to the virtual nonexistence of 24-hour businesses elsewhere along route 12, particularly in the nearby communities of Oxford, Sherburne, and Preston.
A new 8 million dollar campus was recently constructed for the City's small community college
, an extension branch of Morrisville State College. This larger Student Community may help increase local commerce, and will even, perhaps, lead to growth or the emergence of a "College Town" atmosphere if current trends continue.
organization has hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in early July with hundreds of teams participating each year. Museums include the Chenango County Historical Society and the Northeast Classic Car Museum, which houses approximately 125 cars, including the world's largest collection of Franklin luxury cars.
Chenango County, New York
Chenango County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 50,477. The county's name originates from an Oneida word meaning "large bull-thistle." Its county seat is Norwich.-History:...
, 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...
. Surrounded on all sides by the Town of Norwich
Norwich (town), New York
Norwich is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 3,836 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Norwich, Connecticut.The Town of Norwich is located near the center of the county...
, the city is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Chenango County. The name is taken from Norwich, Connecticut
Norwich, Connecticut
Regular steamship service between New York and Boston helped Norwich to prosper as a shipping center through the early part of the 20th century. During the Civil War, Norwich once again rallied and saw the growth of its textile, armaments, and specialty item manufacturing...
. Its population was 7,355 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Lt. Warren Eaton Airport
Norwich Lt. Warren Eaton Airport
Norwich Lt. Warren Eaton Airport is a small general aviation airport located two miles north of the City of Norwich, in Chenango County, New York, USA. The airport covers and has one runway. It has no scheduled commercial operations, but PrivatAir operates flights to Cincinnati for Procter &...
(OIC), serving the area, is located north of the city in the Town of North Norwich
North Norwich, New York
North Norwich is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 1,966 at the 2000 census.The Town of North Norwich, which is directly north of the City of Norwich, is in the eastern half of the county.- History :...
.
History
The first settlers arrived around 1788. The Town of Norwich was formed in 1793 from the Towns of UnionUnion, New York
Union is a town in Broome County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 56,298. The name derives from the town having served as a rendezvous for the Sullivan Expedition....
(now in Broome County
Broome County, New York
Broome County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 200,600. It was named in honor of John Broome, who was lieutenant governor in 1806 when Broome County was established. Its county seat is Binghamton, which is also its major city. The current...
) and Bainbridge
Bainbridge (town), New York
Bainbridge is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 3,401 at the 2000 census.The Town of Bainbridge has a village of Bainbridge located within it...
. Afterwards, Norwich, as a "mother town" of the county, lost substantial territory in the formation of new towns. In 1806, Norwich gave up territory to form the Towns of Pharsalia
Pharsalia, New York
Pharsalia is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 542 at the 2000 census. Pharsalia is a name related to the location of Julius Caesar's victory over Pompey....
, Plymouth
Plymouth, New York
----Plymouth is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 2,049 at the 2000 census.The Town of Plymouth is an interior town in the northern part of the county...
and Preston
Preston, New York
Preston is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 928 at the 2000 census.The Town of Preston is an interior town of Chenango County. The town is west of the City of Norwich.- History :...
. More of Norwich was lost in 1807 to form part of the New Berlin
New Berlin (town), New York
New Berlin is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 2,803 at the 2000 census.The Town of New Berlin contains a village named New Berlin...
and part of the Town of Columbus
Columbus, New York
Columbus is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The population was 931 at the 2000 census. The town of Columbus is in the northeast corner of the county and is northeast of Norwich.- History :...
. In 1808 and 1820, Norwich exchanged territory with the Town of Preston.
The community of Norwich, set itself off from the town in 1816 by incorporating as a village, later becoming the City of Norwich in 1914.
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 city has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.3 km²), all of it land.
Norwich is located in upstate New York, in the Chenango River
Chenango River
The Chenango River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central New York in the United States. It drains a dissected plateau area in upstate New York at the northern end of the Susquehanna watershed....
Valley. The river winds south along the eastern edge of the city. Along the western border, the Canasawacta Creek flows south, until it unites with the Chenango River
Chenango River
The Chenango River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River in central New York in the United States. It drains a dissected plateau area in upstate New York at the northern end of the Susquehanna watershed....
at the southern city limits. The streets are regularly laid out, many lined with shade trees. The city is bordered by hills to the east and west, where one may find hiking and cross country skiing
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
trails. The Whaupaunaucau State Forest located in the village of North Norwich is popular for year-round recreation.
Relationship to other cities via highways
Regionally, Norwich lies almost dead center of the "upside down triangle" that can be drawn connecting the cities of SyracuseSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
, Albany
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, and Binghamton, along Interstates 90, 88, and 81, respectively. The City is located in the center of this triangle, on the intersection between New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12 is a state highway extending for through central and northern New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 11 in the town of Chenango in the Southern Tier. The northern terminus is at NY 37 near the village of...
and New York State Route 23
New York State Route 23
New York State Route 23 is an east–west state highway in the eastern portion New York in the United States. It extends for from an intersection with NY 26 in the Central New York town of Cincinnatus to the Massachusetts state line in the Berkshire Mountains, where it continues east as...
. State Highway 12 is often known simply as "Route 12", "State Route 12" (or SR12), or merely "12", and similar naming colloquial conventions with State Highway 23 are used.
Norwich is positioned on Route 12 roughly between the larger cities of Utica and access to Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
to the North, and Binghamton, NY (and the Triple Cities) and access to Interstate 81
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main freeway...
and Future Interstate 86
Interstate 86 (east)
Interstate 86 is an Interstate Highway that extends for through northwestern Pennsylvania and southern New York in the United States...
(currently New York State Route 17
New York State Route 17
New York State Route 17 is a state highway that extends for through the Southern Tier and Downstate regions of New York in the United States...
, known as the Southern Tier Expressway) to the south. State Highway 23, which cuts laterally through the northern side of the city, leads eastward to the "college town" city of Oneonta
Oneonta, New York
Oneonta is a city in southern Otsego County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, had a population of 13,901. Its nickname is "City of the Hills." While the word "oneonta" is of undetermined origin, it is popularly believed to mean "place of open rocks" in the Iroquois language...
and access to Interstate 88
Interstate 88 (east)
Interstate 88 is an intrastate Interstate Highway entirely within the U.S. state of New York. Its western end is at Interstate 81 in Binghamton and its eastern end is at Interstate 90 in Schenectady. It serves as an important connector route from Albany to Binghamton, Elmira , and...
and westward on 23 heads in the direction of Cortland
Cortland, New York
Cortland is a city in Cortland County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 18,740. It is the county seat of Cortland County.The City of Cortland, near the west border of the county, is surrounded by the Town of Cortlandville....
and Interstate 81
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main freeway...
.
Being slightly closer to Binghamton, Norwich residents and locals tend to have a stronger relationship with the Greater Binghamton Area than with the Utica area. The Greater Binghamton Area of the nicknamed "Triple Cities" of Binghamton, Johnson City
Johnson City, New York
Johnson City is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 15,535 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, and Endicott
Endicott, New York
Endicott is a village in Broome County, New York, United States. The population was 13,038 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Binghamton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village is named after Henry B...
, as well as the Town of Vestal
Vestal, New York
Vestal is a town within Broome County in the Southern Tier of New York, and lies between the Susquehanna River and the Pennsylvania border. As of the 2000 census, the population was 26,535, estimated to have grown to 27,369 in 2009....
, known in the area for having a substantial commercial strip along the Vestal Parkway, offers most of the services, goods, cuisine and recreational opportunities that are unavailable in Norwich. The college town of Cortland is occasionally a destination due to the lack of medical specialists in the area, and to gain access to Interstate 81. Syracuse and Albany are also occasional, but common, destinations as both of these larger New York cities have large universities, extensive hospital services and the malls and recreational facilities that far surpass those of any of the nearer locations.
Economy of the region
Typically, Route 12 is more important to the city and its citizens than 23, as it bisects the city on a north-south axis and becomes North and South Broad Street in the city limits — a location for the small community of downtown businesses. On the northside of town lies the North Plaza and a commercial strip of gas stations and fast food, but has since become desolate after the departure of Jamesway and the lack of any equivalent store to come into the plaza. The south side of town has three plazas just outside city limits, featuring supermarkets, gas stations, fast food, a new Lowe'sLowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
Home Improvement Warehouse and a recently upgraded Super Walmart.
As Norwich maintains a very small-town atmosphere, inhabitants usually travel to the larger nearby cities of Oneonta, Binghamton, Utica, sometimes Cortland, and occasionally the much larger metropolitan areas of Syracuse and Albany for any goods and services that cannot be attained at the local department store, McLaughlins, downtown shops, Walmart or the local supermarkets. Oneonta, being approximately twice the size of Norwich (and having a small mini mall and many more options in the way of food, stores, and college nightlife) is a major destination for citizens who don't wish to drive the slightly longer distance to Binghamton. The Utica and Binghamton Areas are the major destinations for residents doing serious shopping or looking for great variety in food, with the Binghamton area being the common preference.
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 7,355 people, 3,131 households, and 1,671 families residing in the city. 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 3,609.0 people per square mile (1,392.0/km²). There were 3,500 housing units at an average density of 1,717.4 per square mile (662.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.48% White, 1.39% 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...
, 0.27% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.19% 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 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 3,131 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% 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, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 19.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 78.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,485, and the median income for a family was $39,808. Males had a median income of $33,537 versus $24,430 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 city was $17,339. About 14.7% of families and 18.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.5% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Commerce
For nearly a century, the city hosted the corporate headquarters of the Norwich Pharmaceutical Company. Formed in 1887 as a partnership between Reverend Lafayette Moore and Oscar G. Bell, a drug store employee, the company grew to become a major developer and manufacturer of medicines and veterinary products. Known affectionately as "The Pharmacy" among city residents, Norwich Pharmacal became world famous for its UnguentineUnguentine
Unguentine is the trademarked name of an over the counter Topical Antiseptic Ointment produced by Lee Pharmaceuticals. It is considered effective at treating the pain of minor burns, poison ivy, Poison oak, itching, minor skin wounds or insect bites. The active ingredients are chloroxylenol,...
antiseptic dressing (introduced in 1893) and Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol
Pepto-Bismol is an over-the-counter drug currently produced by the Procter and Gamble company in the United States of America and in Canada to treat minor digestive system upset. Its active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate...
, an upset-stomach and anti-diarrhea medication (introduced in 1901 under a different name). The company merged with Morton International, Inc. in 1969 and later became a subsidiary of Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
in 1982.
From 1845 until 1961, Norwich was also the home of the Maydole Hammer Factory. The founder, David Maydole, was an enterprising blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
who set out to create a hammer
Hammer
A hammer is a tool meant to deliver an impact to an object. The most common uses are for driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects. Hammers are often designed for a specific purpose, and vary widely in their shape and structure. The usual features are a handle and a head,...
with a safely attached head. His hammers proved so successful, that Maydole became the largest hammer manufacturer in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by the time of its founder's death in 1892.
The Chenango Canal, the New York, Ontario & Western Railway, and the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad (later Erie-Lackawanna) once served most of the city's transportation needs. Indeed, Norwich was the NYO&W's Northern Division point until operations ceased on March 29, 1957. Until June 2006, the community was served by the New York, Susquehanna and Western, which operated trains on the old DL&W line between Binghamton and Utica. That service ended as a result of flood damage to the portion of the line between Sangerfield and Chenango Forks.
Norwich is a hub for commercial activity in the surrounding area. The Village of Oxford
Oxford (village), New York
Oxford is a village in Chenango County, New York, USA. The population was 1,584 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Oxford, Massachusetts, the hometown of the landowner....
, as well as other places like Sherburne and Preston, rely on Norwich for low-intensity shopping, eating, movie-going, and for employment opportunities. Due to the lack of development in the surrounding areas, Norwich has a place of prominence as the most populous location in Chenango county, and the only City on route 12 between Binghamton and Utica. Its strategic location and the presence of many pharmacies, more than three large grocery stores, an assortment of fast food restaurants, and a Super Walmart (all of which are practically unavailable on the length of route 12 in a 40-mile radius), make Norwich the first stop for people in surrounding hamlets that don't wish to go to the larger and more-distant areas of Oneonta, Utica or Binghamton. Norwich also has several 24-hour businesses, including a 24-hour supermarket (Price Chopper), three 24-hour gas station/mini-marts, and a 24-hour Super Wal-mart. This is relevant due to the virtual nonexistence of 24-hour businesses elsewhere along route 12, particularly in the nearby communities of Oxford, Sherburne, and Preston.
A new 8 million dollar campus was recently constructed for the City's small community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
, an extension branch of Morrisville State College. This larger Student Community may help increase local commerce, and will even, perhaps, lead to growth or the emergence of a "College Town" atmosphere if current trends continue.
Culture
Numerous festivals and events mark the Norwich calendar, with residents looking forward to several annual cultural traditions. Most notable is the Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival, a two-day event in early September that features regional musicians and artists. The festival drew an estimated 15,000 people in 2005. Since 1993, the Chenango Blues Festival, held at the Chenango County Fairgrounds each August, has attracted thousands and featured nationally renowned artists such as Koko Taylor, the late Luther Allison, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Since the early 1990s, the nationally known Gus MackerGus Macker
The Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is a nationwide event for players of a variety of age and skill levels in the United States. Although every tournament is different, a typical Gus Macker event involves dozens of temporary courts set up in parking lots or closed-off public streets...
organization has hosted a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in early July with hundreds of teams participating each year. Museums include the Chenango County Historical Society and the Northeast Classic Car Museum, which houses approximately 125 cars, including the world's largest collection of Franklin luxury cars.
Residents
- Inventor and Dairy Pioneer 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 :...
was born in Norwich - Actress Calista FlockhartCalista FlockhartCalista Kay Flockhart is an American actress who is primarily recognized for her work in television. She is best known for playing the title character in the Fox comedy-drama series Ally McBeal for which she won a Golden Globe Award...
spent part of her childhood in Norwich - Former New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
pitcher Jon MatlackJon MatlackJonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
currently resides in Norwich - Pioneering psychiatrist Harry Stack SullivanHarry Stack SullivanHarry Stack Sullivan was a U.S. psychiatrist whose work in psychoanalysis was based on direct and verifiable observation .-Life and works:Sullivan was a child of Irish immigrants and allegedly grew up in an...
was born in Norwich - ESPN the MagazineESPN The MagazineESPN The Magazine is a bi-weekly sports magazine published by the ESPN sports network in Bristol, Connecticut in the United States. The first issue was published on March 11, 1998....
s Senior Editor Steve Wulf used to live in Norwich and wrote about coming back in a 1993 Issue of Sports IllustratedSports IllustratedSports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the... - Merritt "Red" Mayhood lived and raised his family for many years in Norwich. He started a simple bait and tackle shop in Norwich which has grown into Mayhood's Sporting Goods. There is an annual ice-fishing tournament held on nearby Chenango Lake in his honor that brings in anglers from all over America.
External links
- Commerce Chenango
- Northeast Classic Car Museum
- Chenango County Historical Society
- Morrisville State College - Norwich Campus
- Colorscape Chenango Arts Festival
- Chenango Blues Festival
- City of Norwich, NY
- Norwich Emergency Management Office
- Norwich, NY information
- Early history of Norwich area
- Timeline of Norwich Pharmacal Company