Webb, New York
Encyclopedia
Webb is a the northernmost town in Herkimer County
, New York
, United States
. The town is named after William Seward Webb
, President of the Raquette Lake Transportation Company, the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, and the Mohawk and Malone Railway
; his railroads were instrumental in opening the Adirondacks to the tourism rush of the mid- to late 19th century. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad
traverses the town.
In 1836, the "Town of Wilmurt" was formed from parts of the towns of Ohio
and Russia
. Only the south part of Wilmurt was heavily settled. Webb was formed from the northern part of the (now defunct) town of Wilmurt in 1896. Part of Wilmurt was returned to the town of Ohio.
When Dr. Webb's Mohawk and Malone Railway reached the town in 1892, it precipitated twenty years of prosperity from lumbering and tourism
, the town has a total area of 482.9 square miles (1,250.7 km²), of which, 451 square miles (1,168.1 km²) of it is land and 31.9 square miles (82.6 km²) of it (6.61%) is water.
Webb has the most land area of any town in New York State, making it New York State's largest town, a title it shares with the town of Hempstead
, which is the largest based on population (in contrast, the town of Green Island
claims to be the smallest based on area).
Webb is in the Adirondack Park. One end of the Fulton Chain Lakes
is located in the town.
of 2000, there were 1,912 people, 845 households, and 534 families residing in the town. The population density
was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6/km²). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 8.5 per square mile (3.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.96% White, 0.68% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.16% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 845 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples
living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,541, and the median income for a family was $43,516. Males had a median income of $30,906 versus $20,398 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $19,910. About 4.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Herkimer County, New York
Herkimer County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It was created in 1791 north of the Mohawk River out of part of Montgomery County. As of the 2010 census, the population was 64,519. It is named after General Nicholas Herkimer, who died from battle wounds in 1777 after taking part...
, 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 named after William Seward Webb
William Seward Webb
William Seward Webb, M.D. was a businessman, and Inspector General of the Vermont militia with the rank of Colonel. He was a founder and former President of the Sons of the American Revolution.-Biography:...
, President of the Raquette Lake Transportation Company, the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, and the Mohawk and Malone Railway
Mohawk and Malone Railway
Dr. William Seward Webb's Mohawk and Malone Railway crossed the northern Adirondacks at Tupper Lake Junction, just north of Tupper Lake. Webb was president of the Wagner Palace Car Company...
; his railroads were instrumental in opening the Adirondacks to the tourism rush of the mid- to late 19th century. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Adirondack Scenic Railroad
The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is a tourist railway located in Adirondack Park that runs during the summer months from Utica to Thendara, and from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid...
traverses the town.
History
Attempts were made to settle Webb around 1800 and 1811, but both efforts failed. The first permanent settlers arrived around 1837.In 1836, the "Town of Wilmurt" was formed from parts of the towns of Ohio
Ohio, New York
Ohio is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 922 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the state of Ohio. The town is in the northwest part of the county and northeast of Utica. Part of Ohio is within the Adirondack Park....
and Russia
Russia, New York
Russia is a town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. The population was 2,487 at the 2000 census.The Town of Russia is located in the northwest part of the county...
. Only the south part of Wilmurt was heavily settled. Webb was formed from the northern part of the (now defunct) town of Wilmurt in 1896. Part of Wilmurt was returned to the town of Ohio.
When Dr. Webb's Mohawk and Malone Railway reached the town in 1892, it precipitated twenty years of prosperity from lumbering and tourism
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 482.9 square miles (1,250.7 km²), of which, 451 square miles (1,168.1 km²) of it is land and 31.9 square miles (82.6 km²) of it (6.61%) is water.
Webb has the most land area of any town in New York State, making it New York State's largest town, a title it shares with the town of Hempstead
Town of Hempstead, New York
Hempstead is one of the three towns in Nassau County, New York, United States, occupying the southwest part of the county. There are twenty-two incorporated villages completely or partially in the town. Hempstead's combined population was 759,757 at the 2010 Census, the majority of the population...
, which is the largest based on population (in contrast, the town of Green Island
Green Island, New York
Green Island is a coterminous town and village in Albany County, New York, USA some 8 miles north of Albany, New York. Green Island is one of only five such town-village amalgams in New York. The population was 2,620 at the 2010 census...
claims to be the smallest based on area).
Webb is in the Adirondack Park. One end of the Fulton Chain Lakes
Fulton Chain Lakes
The Fulton Chain Lakes are a string of eight lakes located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York in the United States of America. These lakes are located in Herkimer County and Hamilton County...
is located in 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 1,912 people, 845 households, and 534 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 4.2 people per square mile (1.6/km²). There were 3,833 housing units at an average density of 8.5 per square mile (3.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.96% White, 0.68% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.16% 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 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.89% of the population.
There were 845 households out of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% 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, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.72.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,541, and the median income for a family was $43,516. Males had a median income of $30,906 versus $20,398 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 $19,910. About 4.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.5% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Webb
- Adirondack Woodcraft Camps – Located in Old Forge off of Rondaxe Road, the now coed camp has been operating for over 80 years and is one of the oldest summer camps remaining in the nation.
- Beaver RiverBeaver River, New YorkBeaver River is a hamlet that is six tenths of a mile square, at the east end of Stillwater Reservoir, in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. The hamlet is surrounded by the Adirondack Park. The hamlet has a year round population of eight, that increases during the summer as many people...
– A location the south side of Stillwater Reservoir. - Big Moose – A hamlet on Route 1 west of Big Moose LakeBig Moose Lake-Neighboring towns:*Big Moose, New York*Eagle Bay, New York*Inlet, New York*Old Forge, New York*Thendara, New York-External links:*People v. Gillette...
. - Bisby Lodge – A historic location.
- Brandreth – A location near the eastern town border.
- Camp Rondaxe – A location near the junction of Routes NY-28New York State Route 28New York State Route 28 is a state highway extending for in the shape of a "C" between the Hudson Valley city of Kingston and southern Warren County in the U.S. state of New York. Along the way, it intersects several major routes, including Interstate 88 , U.S. Route 20 , and the...
and 93. - Carter Station – A historic location.
- Eagle BayEagle Bay, New YorkEagle Bay is a hamlet on Route 28 in the Town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. Eagle Bay is on the border of the Herkimer and Hamilton counties, and borders Fourth Lake. Its permanent population is 293 spread out among 968 housing units .-Sources:Eagle Bay is a hamlet on Route 28 in the Town...
– A hamlet on the north side of Fourth Lake at the junction of Routes 1 and 28. - Fourth Lake – A large lake shared with Hamilton County, New YorkHamilton County, New YorkHamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is named after Alexander Hamilton, the only member of the New York State delegation who signed the United States Constitution in 1787 and later the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Its county seat is Lake Pleasant...
. Fourth Lake is actually the last part of a larger lake with each section having an ordinal designation. This system is the Fulton Chain Lakes. - Keepawa – A hamlet by the eastern town line.
- Little Rapids – A location at the east end of the Stillwater Reservoir.
- McKeever – A hamlet on Route 28 at the western town border.
- Minnehaha – A hamlet near the west side of the town, east of McKeever on Route 28.
- Moshier Falls – A hamlet on the western border of the town with Lewis County, New YorkLewis County, New YorkAs of the census of 2000, there were 26,944 people, 10,040 households, and 7,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 21 people per square mile . There were 15,134 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile...
. - Mountain Lodge – A location on Route 118 southeast of Old Forge.
- Old ForgeOld Forge, New YorkOld Forge is a hamlet on New York State Route 28 in the town of Webb in Herkimer County, New York. Old Forge was formerly a village that dissolved its incorporation, but remains the principal community in the region. Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism...
– A hamlet on Route 28. Old Forge often records the lowest winter temperatures in New York. Old Forge is the principal community in the region, and, along with the adjacent community Thendara, forms an extensive business district. - Stillwater – A hamlet by Stillwater Reservoir.
- Stillwater Reservoir – A large lakeLakeA lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in the northern part of the town. - ThendaraThendara, New YorkThendara is a hamlet in Herkimer County, New York, USA. Thendara is located in the Adirondack Park, in the northern part of the Town of Webb, west of Old Forge on Route 28....
– A hamlet on Route 28 immediately to the west of Old Forge. - Woods Lake – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town.
- YMCA Camp GorhamYMCA Camp GorhamCamp Gorham is the name of a YMCA summer camp located just north of Eagle Bay, New York in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The camp is made up of over with a lake....
- An overnight camp on Darts Lake.