text:
Solvay, New York

Solvay is a village located in the town of Geddes, Onondaga County, New York, United States, and a suburb of the city of Syracuse. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,645. The village is named after the Solvay brothers, Belgian inventors of the chemical process employed by the Solvay Process Company, formerly the major industry of the village.

History
The area was within the former Central New York Military Tract, but Solvay was in a location reserved for members of the Onondaga tribe.

The village was initially founded in 1794 by James Geddes and was initially called "Geddesburgh." The first residents were mostly Irish, subsequently joined by Tyroleans and Poles. Eventually the community became known for its population largely Italian in extraction. It still retains a large segment (about 35% in 2005) of population of Italian descent. More recently many families of Ukrainian descent have settled in the village.

The village was renamed "Solvay" after 1884, when the Solvay Process Company built a Solvay process plant to produce soda ash. The Village of Solvay was incorporated in 1895. Other major businesses of Solvay include the Frazer & Jones Company (Division of the Eastern Company), a foundry; Crucible Steel, producer of specialty steels; Iroquois China Company (Solvay China); Pass & Seymour, producing electrical wiring devices.

The Solvay Process plant, by then owned by Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, closed in 1985. The community has remained stable despite this loss.

Reflecting paternalistic programs of the Solvay Process Company and the Hazard family, the first village and school library was in Guild Hall. Then Solvay received a Carnegie library in 1902. James A. Randall of Syracuse was the architect (1902–05). The building was constructed with Hazard support.

Since the Hazards' time, the village has provided superior services, as envisioned by the family. Solvay has its own municipal electric company which provides service to the village at one of the least expensive rates in the nation. A typical three bedroom home in the village which is completely electric (meaning no natural gas service) sees an average bill of around $225 per month in the winter and $160 in the summer (2009).

The Solvay Public Library was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Geography
Solvay is located at 43.05722°N, -76.21472°W (43.057316, -76.214649), immediately west of Syracuse and south of the New York State Fairgrounds (far westside). Its eastern boundary is shared with Syracuse. The village is south of the east end of Onondaga Lake and is also south of Interstate 690. The Erie Canal passes through the village.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,844 people, 3,030 households, and 1,766 families residing in the village. The population density was 4,164.6 PD/sqmi. There were 3,291 housing units at an average density of 2,002.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.81% White, 0.67% African American, 1.02% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.37% of the population.

There were 3,030 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $34,084, and the median income for a family was $40,057. Males had a median income of $34,045 versus $23,822 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,441. About 10.6% of families and 12.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Solvay, New York


text:
Vocal music

Vocal music is a type of singing performed by one or more singers, either with instrumental accompaniment, or without instrumental accompaniment (a cappella), in which singing provides the main focus of the piece. Music which employs singing but does not feature it prominently is generally considered to be instrumental music (e.g. the wordless women's choir in the final movement of Holst's symphonic work The Planets) as is music without singing. Music without any non-vocal instrumental accompaniment is referred to as a cappella.

Vocal music typically features sung words called lyrics, although there are notable examples of vocal music that are performed using non-linguistic syllables, sounds, or noises, sometimes as musical onomatopoeia, such as jazz scat singing. A short piece of vocal music with lyrics is broadly termed a song, although in different styles of music, it may be called an aria or hymn.

Vocal music often has a sequence of sustained pitches that rise and fall, creating a melody, but some vocal styles use less distinct pitches, such as chants or a rhythmic speech-like delivery, such as rapping. As well, there are extended vocal techniques that may be used, such as screaming, growling, throat singing, or yodelling. Vocal music is probably the oldest form of music, since it does not require any instrument besides the human voice. All musical cultures have some variation of vocal music.

World traditions

 * Indian classical music is based on a rich vocal tradition, wherein even instruments are evaluated on their ability to follow the human voice, imitate it, or recreate the same expressions.
 * Elaborate untexted vocal improvisation was and still is an important element in Turkish and Middle Eastern music traditions. Such music existed prior to the 13th century and the First Crusade into Palestine and the city of Jerusalem, possibly even before the year 900.
 * The modern descendants of the ancient Kung tribes and clans of Southern Africa utilize similar traditional music techniques.
 * A form of improvisation known as thillana is a very important feature of Carnatic music from South India.
 * Tuvan throat singing often features wordless and improvised song. The sygyt technique is a particularly good example of this.
 * The Anglo-Saxon and Gaelic communities.
 * Hasidic Jews use a form of voice improvisation called nigunim. This consists of wordless tunes vocalized with sounds such as "Bim-bim-bam" or "Ai-yai-yai!" often accompanied by rhythmic clapping and drumming on the table.
 * Puirt a beul, also known as "Mouth Music", is a Scottish vocal technique imitating the sounds of bagpipes, fiddles, and other instruments used in traditional Scottish music. It was popularized in North America by Scottish immigrants, and has been incorporated into many forms of American music from roots music to bluegrass.
 * The Cante Alentejano is just based on vocal music. It is one of two Portuguese music traditions part of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, the other being Fado.

European classical vocal music
Solfege, a vocalized musical scale, assigns various syllables such as "Do-Re-Mi" to each note. A variety of similar tools are found in  traditional Indian music, and scat singing of jazz.

Jazz and popular music
Hip hop music has a very distinct form of vocal percussion known as beatboxing. It involves creating beats, rhythms, and scratching.

The singer of the Icelandic group Sigur Rós, Jón Þór Birgisson, often uses vocals without words, as does Icelandic singer/songwriter, Björk. Her album Medúlla is composed entirely of processed and acoustic vocal music, including beatboxing, choral arrangements, and throat singing.

Singer Bobby McFerrin has recorded a number of albums using only his voice and body, sometimes consisting of a texted melody supported by untexted vocalizations.

Songs

 * See Category:Song forms for short forms of music with words that are sung.

Extended techniques that involve lyrics
The Second Viennese School, especially Alban Berg and Arnold Schoenberg, pioneered a technique called Sprechstimme in which singers are half-talk, half-sing, and only approximate pitches.

Wide-ranging voices

 * Adam Lopez – E♭2 to E♭8
 * Ariana Grande: D3 – E7
 * Avi Kaplan: E♭1 – F♯5
 * Axl Rose: F1 – B♭6.
 * Beyoncé – F2 to F6
 * Cher: C3 – E6
 * Clara Butt: A2 – B♭5
 * Daniel Gildenlöw: A1 – A5. Top range may be heard on songs such as "Dea Pecuniae", "A Trace of Blood" or "This Heart of Mine"; for low range, "Imago", "Of Dust" and "Beyond the Pale" are good examples.
 * Dimash Kudaibergen: F#1 - D8.
 * Elizabeth Billington: A3 – A6.
 * Elvis Presley: B1 – A5. Elvis' B1 may be heard on the song "Such a Night", and on "Mystery Train" an A5 is reached towards the end. Towards his later career, he developed a rich baritone voice which still mastered the higher register with immense power, such as on "American Trilogy", "Unchained Melody" or the joking "Little Darlin'".
 * Ewa Podleś: A2 – E♭6.
 * Farinelli: C3 – C6.
 * Freddie Mercury: F2 – G#5.
 * Georgia Brown – G2 to G10
 * Isabella Colbran: F#3 – E6.
 * Lisa Gerrard: A2 to F#5.
 * Lucrezia Aguiari: C4 – C7.

 * Mado Robin: E4 – D7.
 * Manuel García: G2 – D5.
 * Maria Callas: F♯3 – F6.  In his review of Callas's June 11, 1951 concert in Florence, music critic Rock Ferris of Musical Courier said, "Her high E's and F's are taken full voice." In a 1969 French television interview with Pierre Desgraupes on the program L'invité du dimanche, La Scala's maestro Francesco Siciliani speaks of Callas's voice going to high F.
 * Maria Malibran: E♭3 – E6.
 * Mariah Carey: F♯2 – F♯8. Carey has hit an F♯2 while singing "You and I" live and an F♯8 while swimming with a dolphin, making her vocal range exactly six octaves and one of the biggest in popular music history.
 * Michael Jackson: E2 – B♭6
 * Prince: A1 – G7
 * Tim Buckley: F♯2 – A5
 * Tim Storms: G♯−5 – G♯5
 * Yma Sumac: her range was said to be "well over four octaves" and was sometimes claimed to span even five octaves at her peak. From B2 to C♯7

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Vocal music


text:
Spafford, New York

Spafford is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 1,588. The town was named after Horatio Gates Spafford, a writer and founder of the local library. Spafford is in the southwestern corner of Onondaga County and is southwest of Syracuse.

History
Spafford was located within the former Central New York Military Tract.

The first European settler arrived in 1794, the same year Onondaga County was established.

The Town of Spafford was formed in 1811 from parts of the Towns of Marcellus, Sempronius and Tully.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.2 sqmi, of which 32.8 sqmi is land and 6.4 sqmi  (16.31%) is water.

The western town line is the border of Cayuga County, and the southern town boundary is the border of Cortland County. Part of the town lies between Skaneateles Lake and Otisco Lake, two of the Finger Lakes.

Spafford's high terrain, between two of the Finger Lakes, provides spectacular scenery. Spafford is largely rural, with only small hamlets, and retains many forested areas, some protected as public preserves.

New York State Route 41 is a north–south highway in the town. New York State Route 174 is a state highway in the northern part of Spafford.

Demographics
Although situated in a remote corner of Onondaga County, somewhat isolated by two of the Finger Lakes, residential development is expanding into the town from adjacent Skaneateles. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,661 people, 631 households, and 485 families residing in the town. The population density was 50.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,095 housing units at an average density of 33.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.74% White, 0.06% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.18% Asian, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.

There were 631 households, out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.0% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.1% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 30.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,553, and the median income for a family was $61,250. Males had a median income of $41,515 versus $31,071 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,014. About 4.7% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Spafford

 * Borodino – The largest hamlet in Spafford, located approximately eight miles south of the Village of Skaneateles.
 * Borodino Landing – A hamlet west on Borodino, located on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, south of Woodland.
 * Edgewater Park – A small community surrounding Five Mile Point on the eastern lakeside, located on NY-41 in the northeastern corner of the town.
 * Gifford Hill – An elevation near the southern town line, south of South Spafford.
 * Jenny Point – A location north of Willow Point on the lake shore.
 * Pine Grove – A hamlet on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, south of Borodino Landing.
 * Ripley Hill – An elevation in the south of Spafford alleged to be the highest point in Onondaga County.
 * South Spafford – A hamlet by the southern town line.
 * Spafford – The hamlet of Spafford is on NY-41 in the southern part of the town.
 * Spafford Creek – A stream feeding Otisco Lake in the southeastern section of the town.
 * Spafford Forest – An Onondaga County preserve with public trails.
 * Spafford Landing (formerly "Randalls Point") – located on the shore of Skaneateles Lake, southwest of Spafford village.
 * Spafford Valley – A hamlet in the southeastern part of the town, northeast of Spafford village.
 * Ten Mile Point – A location south of Pine Grove on the lake shore.
 * Willow Point – A projection into Skaneateles Lake southwest of Spafford village.
 * Woodland – A lakeside hamlet south of Edgewater Park.

title: Spafford, New York


text:
Van Buren, New York

Van Buren is a town located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the population was 14,367. The town is named after then-Senator Martin Van Buren, who would later become the eighth president of the United States.

The town of Van Buren is located northwest of the city of Syracuse and is in the northwest part of the county. The portion of the town north and east of New York State Route 690 and south of the Seneca River is suburban in character, consisting primarily of single-family tract housing, some low-rise apartment buildings, park land, and some light industry. The rest of the town is primarily rural.

History

The town was part of the Central New York Military Tract of 1789 used to pay soldiers for service in the American Revolution. Most of the soldiers chose to sell their allotments for cash so that the town was briefly in the hands of land speculators until the actual residents purchased lots. Settlement began around 1791.

The Town of Van Buren was formed in 1829 from the Town of Camillus.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.1 sqmi, of which 35.6 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi  (1.52%) is water.

Van Buren is bordered on the north and west by the Seneca River. Its neighbor across the river is the Town of Lysander. On the southwest, Van Buren is bordered by the Town of Elbridge; on the south, the Town of Camillus;  and on the east, the Town of Geddes.

Van Buren contains the southern portion of the Village of Baldwinsville, which was incorporated in 1848. The northern part of the Village of Baldwinsville is in the Town of Lysander. The Baldwinsville Central School District, formed in 1949, includes most of the area of both Van Buren and Lysander.

The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) crosses the south part of Van Buren. New York State Route 690 is a limited access highway connecting with Thruway Exit 39 and bypassing Baldwinsville on the west. New York State Route 31 runs northeast–southwest through Van Buren, connecting Baldwinsville and Jordan. New York State Route 173 runs northwest—southeast, connecting Van Buren with Fairmount and Onondaga Hill. New York State Route 48 follows the course of the Seneca River in the eastern part of Van Buren; prior to the construction of Route 690, it carried much of the traffic between Baldwinsville and Syracuse. County and town roads complete the highway net.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,667 people, 5,288 households, and 3,384 families residing in the town. The population density was 356.2 PD/sqmi. There were 5,618 housing units at an average density of 158 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.05% White, 0.80% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 5,288 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 30.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,003, and the median income for a family was $50,724. Males had a median income of $37,230 versus $26,842 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,997. About 4.9% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Van Buren, New York


text:
Village Green, New York

Village Green is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 3,891 at the 2010 census.

Village Green is in the eastern part of the town of Van Buren.

Geography
Village Green is located at 43.13167°N, -76.30861°W (43.131717, -76.308592).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the region has a total area of 1.2 sqmi, all land.

The village is south of the Seneca River and southeast of Baldwinsville.

Most of the community is between Interstate 690 and New York State Route 48.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,945 people, 1,896 households, and 1,033 families residing in the community. The population density was 3,227.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,053 housing units at an average density of 1,679.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.76% White, 1.04% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.33% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.

There were 1,896 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 12.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $43,243, and the median income for a family was $50,278. Males had a median income of $36,686 versus $29,519 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,559. About 5.9% of families and 6.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Village Green, New York


text:
Westvale, New York

Westvale is a suburban community (and census-designated place) in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 4,963 at the 2010 census.

Westvale is in the town of Geddes, lying east of Fairmount and southwest of Solvay. Westvale is a suburb of Syracuse, which is to the east.

Geography
Westvale is located at 43.04167°N, -76.21694°W (43.041716, -76.217073).

According to the United States Census Bureau, Westvale has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,166 people, 2,061 households, and 1,506 families residing in the community. The population density was 3,833.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,094 housing units at an average density of 1,553.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.87% White, 0.27% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 2,061 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.9% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% 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 2.98.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 22.7% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $54,870, and the median income for a family was $62,071. Males had a median income of $44,107 versus $31,672 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,678. About 4.5% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

History
"Westvale" as an identity probably evolved in the early 20th century; it refers to the area west of Wescott Reservoir, accessed by, but mostly south of, West Genesee Street (since the Village of Solvay was to the north). Farther west was Fairmount, which developed earlier than most of Westvale, where the land was held off the market. The "Avery Tract" lay between the reservoir and the City of Syracuse. The Avery Tract became part of the Village of Solvay. The core of Westvale was farmland retained by a major landowning family of New York State, the Schuylers. he branch holding title to much of the property was the Parsons, recalled by Parsons Drive, a centerpiece residential boulevard with a grassy median, off West Genesee Street.

A few Westvale houses predate suburban development. The Parsons farmhouse was replaced by development at the end of the 20th century. West Genesee Street has a few late 19th century residences. Early 20th century streets show houses in styles of the period, especially the 1920s and 1930s. After World War II, development was rapid, and most houses of Westvale now date from the later twentieth century. Westvale Plaza, one of the earliest suburban "malls" of the region, appeared in the Avery Tract shortly after World War II. It is extant as a "strip mall," while Fairmount Fair, immediately beyond Westvale to the west, came later. Its interior pedestrian concourse was roofed over about 1967, making it the first indoor, climate-controlled shopping mall in Central New York.

The stretch of West Genesee Street between the Avery Tract and Fairmout was spared commercial development through the political activism of the Westvale-Avery Club, a men's organization.

Westvale was once part of the Village of Solvay school district. Cherry Road School originally served grades K-8, thereafter students walked to Solvay High School. Since 1962, however, Westvale has been served by the Westhill Central School District.

title: Westvale, New York


text:
Bloomfield, New York

Bloomfield is a village in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 1,361 at the 2010 census.

The Village of Bloomfield is in the Town of East Bloomfield and is west of Canandaigua.

History
The village was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase (1788). It was incorporated in 1990 to combine the two adjacent communities of Holcomb and East Bloomfield.

The St. Bridget's Roman Catholic Church Complex and St. Peter's Episcopal Church are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
Bloomfield is located at 42.89917°N, -77.42972°W (42.899218, -77.429623).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

The village is mostly situated between New York State Route 444 and conjoined US 20/New York State Route 5. New York State Route 64 also joins US-20 west of the village.

Fish Creek flows past the north side of the village, a tributary of Ganargua Creek and connects to the north with Erie Canal.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,267 people, 474 households, and 346 families residing in the village. The population density was 900.2 PD/sqmi. There were 497 housing units at an average density of 353.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.95% White, 0.95% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 474 households, out of which 50.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.0% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.4% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $47,663, and the median income for a family was $53,977. Males had a median income of $35,197 versus $24,485 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,669. About 3.0% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Eunice Newton Foote, civil rights activist and the first scientist known to have experimented on the warming effect of sunlight on different gases
 * Jonathan Child, first Mayor of Rochester, New York
 * Paulina Kellogg Wright Davis, abolitionist, suffragist, and educator
 * Ryan Lochte, American professional swimmer and 12-time Olympic medalist, attended Bloomfield central school.
 * William Ketchum, former Mayor of Buffalo, New York
 * Wayne Barker, Tony nominated composer for the musical Peter and the Starcatcher, graduated from Bloomfield High School.
 * Kaitlyn Tiffany, staff writer for the Atlantic and author of the novel Everything I Need I Get From You: How Fangirls Created the Internet as We Know It, graduated from Bloomfield High School in 2011.

Economy

 * Crosman Corporation is based in Bloomfield with their headquarters located on Highway 5.
 * Other Half Brewing Company is located at 6621 State Route 5 & 20.

title: Bloomfield, New York


text:
Bristol, New York

Bristol is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,298 at the 2020 census. Bristol was named after Bristol County, Massachusetts, by settlers from New England. The town of Bristol is in the western half of the county, southwest of the city of Canandaigua.

History
The region was visited by the explorers Robert de La Salle and René de Bréhant de Galinée in 1669 in order to observe a burning spring known to the area's indigenous members of the Seneca tribe. Such "burning springs" occur in places where the water appears to support a flame caused by escaping natural gas.

The Sullivan Expedition destroyed native villages as it passed through Bristol in 1779. Some of the soldiers were impressed with the area and later returned to buy land.

The town area was first settled around 1788. The town of Bristol was formed in 1789, but the first town meeting was not held until 1797. In 1838 part of the town was used to form the town of South Bristol.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.8 sqmi, of which 36.7 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi  (0.05%) is water.

U.S. Route 20A (US 20A) passes across the town. New York State Route 64 (NY 64) is a north–south highway in the southeastern part of the town.

Mud Creek is an important stream in Bristol.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,421 people, 895 households, and 690 families residing in the town. The population density was 65.9 PD/sqmi. There were 989 housing units at an average density of 26.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.14% White, 0.33% African American, 0.50% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.

There were 895 households, out of which 39.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 28.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,250, and the median income for a family was $60,172. Males had a median income of $38,182 versus $27,900 for females. The per capita income for the town was $24,060. About 4.6% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Bristol

 * Bristol – The hamlet of Bristol is near the north town line on County Route 2 (CR 2, named Baptist Hill Road). It was formerly called "Baptist Hill."
 * Bristol Center – A hamlet in the eastern part of the town on NY 64 at its junction with CR 32. It was first settled around 1793.
 * Egypt – Located within Egypt Valley in the area of CR 33's intersection with Egypt Road.
 * Fletchers Corners – A location between Gladding Corner and Bristol Center on CR 32.
 * Gladding Corner– A hamlet in the south part of the town on CR 32.
 * Mayweed Corner– A hamlet on US 20A, south of Bristol village.
 * Vincent – A hamlet northeast of Mayweed Corner on US 20A. It was originally called "Muttonville" due to the number of sheep herds.

Notable people

 * Emily Parmely Collins (1814–1909), suffragist, activist, writer
 * Anna Maxwell (1851 - 1929), founder of the United States Army Nurse Corps

title: Bristol, New York


text:
Canadice, New York

Canadice is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 1,674 at the 2020 census.

The Town of Canadice is in the Finger Lakes region of New York and is in the southwestern part of its county.

History
The name of the town Canadice is a corruption of various words in local languages approximating 'Skaneadice', a common placename meaning 'long lake' which here referred to Canadice Lake. It would originally have been written Ska-ne-o'-dice in Onondaga and Seneca.

When the county was formed, Canadice was within a district named, in turn "Pittstown," "Honeoye," and "Richmond." Settlement began circa 1795 near the shore of Honeoye Lake. The town was first established on April 15th 1829 from the Town of Richmond but was not fully organized until the next year. A part of Canadice was taken back by Richmond in 1836.

As of 1868, There were three churches in the town, Methodist Episcopal, Methodist Protestant and Wesleyan Methodist.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 32.5 sqmi, of which 30.0 sqmi is land and 2.4 sqmi (7.43%) is water.

The eastern town line is partly defined by Honeoye Lake, the western town line by Hemlock Lake, and Canadice Lake is entirely within the town, both minor Finger Lakes.

The southern and western town lines form part of the border of Livingston County.

New York State Route 15A is a north–south highway in the town.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,846 people, 774 households, and 516 families residing in the town. The population density was 61.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,094 housing units at an average density of 36.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.49% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.05% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 774 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.0% were married couples living together, 7.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,893, and the median income for a family was $52,596. Males had a median income of $38,523 versus $26,118 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,202. About 3.9% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Canadice

 * Canadice – The hamlet of Canadice located in the northern part of the town on County Road 37. It was formerly called "Canadice Corners"  and was once the only community of note in the town.
 * Canadice Hollow – An historic location at the north end of Canadice Lake.
 * Canadice Lake – A minor Finger Lake. It is contained entirely within the town.
 * Canadice Outlet – A stream flowing out the north end of Canadice Lake.
 * Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area – A state park in the southeast part of the town.
 * Hemlock Lake – A minor Finger Lake, forms the west boundary of the town.
 * Honeoye Lake – A minor Finger Lake, forms the east boundary of the town.
 * Pickett Point a projection into Honeoye Lake.
 * West Canadice Corners – A hamlet west of Canadice hamlet.

title: Canadice, New York


text:
Clifton Springs, New York

Clifton Springs is a village located in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,127 at the 2010 census. The village takes its name from local mineral springs.

The Village of Clifton Springs is located primarily in the Town of Manchester, but the eastern part is in the Town of Phelps. The village is southeast of Rochester, NY.

 * ( The area and population reported and analyzed in this article are also reflected in the aggregate values reported for the town as a whole. See: Manchester (town), New York.)

History
The location was first settled around 1801, and much of the early community endeavors exploited the sulfur springs as a health spa. The village was incorporated in 1859.

The development of the area was slow until 1849, when Dr. Henry Foster came looking for a place to begin his water cure. Modern medicine was in its early stages, and it was thought that the sulphur waters together with a strong religious revival could restore many to active and useful lives. Sulphur Springs, as it was once called, was well known throughout the eastern part of the US because of this. Over the years, thousands of people came to enjoy the benefits of the water and rest and regain their health. Some famous people who visited the area were Elvis Presley, and Bette Davis' daughter. The area around the former sanitarium was designated the Clifton Springs Sanitarium Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

In March 1917, a local convalescent and architect George Edward Barton assembled a small group of authorities from around the country to discuss the benefits of the "work cure", or the value of activity in promoting recovery. During that meeting, the profession of occupational therapy was born with the incorporation of what is now The American Occupational Therapy Association. In 1968, a plaque was placed on Mr. Barton's home, known as Consolation House, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the profession. Between 1915-1921, Barton maintained Consolation House as a convalescent home employing therapeutic activity.

Today, there has been a revival of interest in bathing at mineral springs. The Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic has devoted an entire wing to this treatment.

Modern day Clifton Springs offers an excellent school system, modern hospital, YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and numerous other organizations, country club/golf course, national bank, library, senior citizen community, volunteer fire department, a park area, tennis courts, a skate park, shaded streets, a large manufacturing firm, and an active business section. In the summer months, the town participates in a business program dubbed "Super Sundays."

The Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District serves the students who live in Clifton Springs. The school district, also known as Midlakes, serves the students of the area. The current Superintendent is Matt Stickles.

The Oliver Warner Farmstead was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Geography
Clifton Springs is located at 42.96222°N, -77.1375°W (42.962310, -77.137362).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, all land.

Clifton Springs is immediately south of both the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) and New York State Route 96. County Road 13 passes through the village as Main Street.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,223 people, 869 households, and 530 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,541.4 PD/sqmi. There were 921 housing units at an average density of 638.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 97.57% White, 1.21% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 869 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.9% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,595, and the median income for a family was $49,485. Males had a median income of $33,929 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,238. About 8.0% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

In popular culture
Chef John Mitzewich, on his video blog Food Wishes, dedicated a ginger and garlic glazed chicken wing to his town of birth, naming his recipe "Clifton Springs Chicken Wings". The episode has currently been viewed over 2.7 million times according to YouTube statistics.

Steven Page, formerly of the Barenaked Ladies, has a song titled "Clifton Springs" on his solo album "Page One", released in 2010.

title: Clifton Springs, New York


text:
East Bloomfield, New York

East Bloomfield is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 3,661 at the 2020 census.

The Town of East Bloomfield is in the western part of the county, south of Rochester.

History
The area was originally the territory of the Iroquois confederacy. The Seneca village Ganondagan was destroyed by the Marquis de Denonville in 1687 as part of his campaign against the tribe. The Ganondagan State Historic Site was part of the original Town of Bloomfield, but in the present day is part of the town of Victor.

The town was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase.

The town was created along with the county in 1789 as "Bloomfield," but the name was changed to "East Bloomfield" after the creation of the Town of West Bloomfield in 1833. Other towns formed in 1812 from parts of East Bloomfield include Victor and Mendon, Mendon being in Monroe County.

East Bloomfield is home to the Northern Spy apple.

The East Bloomfield Historic District and George and Addison Wheeler House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 33.3 sqmi, of which 33.2 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi  (0.42%) is water.

Conjoined U.S. Route 20–New York State Route 5, referred to by locals as "5 & 20", passes across the northern part of the town, running concurrently with New York State Route 64 between Bloomfield and South Bloomfield. Apart from the US 20–NY 5 overlap, NY 64 runs north-south through the town, as does U.S. Route 20A (concurrently with NY 64 south of US 20 and NY 5) and New York State Route 444.

East Bloomfield is bordered by West Bloomfield to the west, Victor to the north, Canandaigua to the east, and Bristol to the south.

The village of Bloomfield serves as the town center. Bloomfield once consisted of two adjacent villages, Holcomb and East Bloomfield. They were consolidated in 1990 into the existing village of Bloomfield.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,361 people, 1,215 households, and 923 families residing in the town. The population density was 101.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,268 housing units at an average density of 38.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.45% White, 0.39% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 1,215 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.0% were non-families. 17.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 25.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,176, and the median income for a family was $56,171. Males had a median income of $43,438 versus $24,336 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,737. About 2.0% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in East Bloomfield

 * Bloomfield – The Village of Bloomfield is in the north part of the town, located on US 20 and NY 444.
 * East Bloomfield – A former village on US 20, now part of Bloomfield village.
 * Holcomb – A former village on NY 444, now part of Bloomfield village.
 * Mud Creek – A stream flowing northward in the eastern part of the town.
 * South Bloomfield – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town on US 20A and NY 64.
 * Speakers Corners – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.

Notable people

 * Newton Adams (1804–1851), missionary and physician
 * Nathaniel Allen (1780–1832), born in East Bloomfield, United States Congressman
 * Casey Donovan (1943–1987), pornographic actor
 * Ryan Lochte (1984–), Olympic Swimmer
 * Byron Root Pierce (1829-1924), dentist and American Civil War veteran

Local Churches

 * New Hope Fellowship
 * St. Bridget's Catholic Church
 * St. Peters Episcopal Church
 * East Bloomfield United Methodist Church
 * First Congregational Church of East Bloomfield

title: East Bloomfield, New York


text:
Farmington, New York

Farmington is a town located in the northern part of Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 14,275 at the 2020 census.

History
Farmington was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The town was formed along with its county in 1789, and settlement of the region began the same year. Many of the early settlers were Quakers from Berkshire County, Massachusetts. In 1824, Arthur Power left Farmington with two of his sons and other Quakers to found Farmington, Michigan.

The Farmington Quaker Crossroads Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.

Geography
The land, at an average elevation of 600 feet above sea level, is compressed by the Wisconsin glaciation and slopes from an elevation of 700 feet at the southern border with the town of Canandaigua, to 500 feet at the north boundary with the town of Macedon. The land comprises drumlins and eskers. Other than streams and ponds, there are no major water landmarks. Public drinking water is provided by treated water piped from Canandaigua Lake.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.5 sqmi, all land.

The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) passes across the town. New York State Route 332 is a north-south highway, and New York State Route 96 is an east-west highway.

The northern town line is shared by the town of Macedon in Wayne County.

Demographics
As of the census Farmington is approximately 25 miles southeast of Rochester. The town was named after Farmington, Connecticut. of 2000, there were 10,585 people, 3,870 households, and 2,894 families residing in the town. The population density was 268.3 PD/sqmi. There were 4,046 housing units at an average density of 102.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.53% White, 1.02% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 3,870 households, out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $49,863, and the median income for a family was $54,769. Males had a median income of $39,645 versus $26,097 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,756. About 3.7% of families and 5.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Elbridge G. Lapham, former US Senator
 * Harold F. Loomis, biologist

Communities and other locations in the town

 * Auburn Meadows – A community in the southwest part of the town.
 * Blacksmith Corners – A location in the southeast part of the town on NY-96.
 * Brownsville – A hamlet near the west town line in the northern part of the town.
 * Farmbrook – A location in central Farmington.
 * Farmington – A hamlet south of the Thruway on County Road 8.
 * The Grove—A neighborhood that encompasses the Farmington Grove Park.
 * Hathaway Corners – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town at the junction of NY-332 and County Road 41.
 * Ingleside Corner – A location by the west town line on NY-332.
 * Mertensia (Previously called "West Farmington") – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town on County Road 41.
 * New Salem – An historic location near the north town line.
 * Pumpkin Hook – A community in the northwestern part of the town near Allen-Padgham Rd and Hook Rd.
 * Saratoga Crossing – A community near the west townline, just south of State Route 332.

Business

 * Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track – The only privately owned Thoroughbred horse-racing track in New York state.
 * Ultrafab – Manufacturer of weatherstripping and related products
 * Unisource – Supply company

Public safety
Fire protection is provided by the Farmington Volunteer Fire Assoc., which has two fire stations within the town: Station #1, located in "Pumpkin Hook" in the north section and Station #2, located at State Route 96 and Hook Rd near the business district.

The Ontario County Sheriff's department provides law enforcement in the town as well as the New York State Police. The New York State Police Troop E headquarters is located in Farmington and serves a 10-county region.

Victor-Farmington Volunteer Ambulance provides EMS service to the town.

title: Farmington, New York


text:
Gorham, New York

Gorham is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 4,130 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Nathaniel Gorham.

The Town of Gorham is at the southern border of the county, southeast of Canandaigua.

History
Gorham was created at the same time as the county (1789) as the "Town of Easton." The town changed its name to "Lincoln" in 1806, and adopted the current name, the name of an early proprietor, in 1807. Part of Gorham was taken in 1822 to form the Town of Hopewell. More territory, including the east shore of Canandaigua Lake, was added to Gorham in 1824.

A fire consumed much of Gorham village in 1868.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 53.2 sqmi, of which 48.9 sqmi is land and 4.3 sqmi  (8.10%) is water.

The southern town line is the border of Yates County, and the western town line is marked by Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.

New York State Route 245 intersects New York State Route 247 northeast of Rushville. NY-247 and New York State Route 364 are north–south highways in the town, but NY-364 is farther west, near Canandaigua Lake.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,776 people, 1,410 households, and 1,036 families residing in the town. The population density was 77.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,900 housing units at an average density of 38.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.36% White, 0.37% African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 1,410 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,138, and the median income for a family was $45,917. Males had a median income of $35,658 versus $23,682 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,736. About 4.2% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Samuel Reed Clark, former Wisconsin State Assemblyman
 * William H. Lamport, former US Congressman
 * Luman Walters, mentor to Joseph Smith

Communities and locations in the Town of Gorham

 * Babbitt Corner – A location in the northeast part of the town.
 * Baldwin Corners – A location northeast of Rushville.
 * Cottage City – A hamlet on the shore of Canandaigua Lake, south of Crystal Beach on NY-364.
 * Crystal Beach – A hamlet (and census-designated place) on the shore of Canandaigua Lake, south of Greens Landing on NY-364.
 * Flint Creek – A stream flowing northward past Gorham village.
 * Gorham – The hamlet (and census-designated place) of Gorham is near the east town line on NY-245. It was previously called "Bethel," but the current name was adopted in 1856 to match the town's name.
 * Granger – A location southwest of Gorham village on NY-245.
 * Greens Landing – A hamlet on the shore of Canandaigua Lake on NY-364.
 * Mead Corner – A location in the northeast part of the town.
 * Reed Corner – A location in the north part of the town on NY-247.
 * Rushville – The north part of the Village of Rushville lies within the town and is located on NY-247.
 * West River – A stream in the south part of the town, passing Rushville, that eventually enters Canandaigua Lake.
 * Wilson Corner – A location east of Cottage City at the junction of NY-247 and Lake to Lake Road.

title: Gorham, New York


text:
Hopewell, New York

Hopewell is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 3,931 at the 2020 census.

The Town of Hopewell is in the north central part of the county, east of the City of Canandaigua.

History
Significant portions of this section is sourced from Conover, Chapter XXV.

The Seneca Indian village of Onnaghee (or Onaghee, aka Snyder-McClure village) was located in Hopewell. It was abandoned sometime before 1750, and the former residents likely founded the newer village at Canandaigua.

Settled beginning in 1789, the town of Hopewell, New York, was originally part of a tract of land first called "District of Easton" and then "Lincoln" and was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase of 1788.

The original settlers in the area were former New Englanders. According to The History of Ontario County New York, some of the earliest pioneers included "Daniel Gates, Daniel Warner, Ezra Platt, Samuel Day, George Chapin, Israel Chapin, Jr., Frederick Follett, Thomas Sawyer, Benjamin Wells and Mr. Sweet, all of whom were from Massachusetts, while William Wyckoff who was another pioneer, was from Pennsylvania."

In 1807, the name of the town was changed again, this time to "Gorham," in honor of Nathaniel Gorham. The Town of Hopewell was formed out of the northern section of the Town of Gorham on March 29, 1822.

On April 17, 1823, the first town meeting was held and the first town officers were elected. They were:
 * Supervisor – Nathan Lewis
 * Town Clerk – John Prince
 * Assessors – Elisha Higby, George Brundage, and James Birdseye
 * Highway Commissioners – Joel S. Hart, Erastus Lamed, and William Canfield
 * Overseers of the Poor – Rufus Warner and Lemuel Babcock
 * Commissioner of Schools – William Buchan, Jason Angel, and Joshua Case
 * Inspector of Schools – Joseph Merrill, William Bodman, and Joel Amsden
 * Constables – Timothy Dunham, Hiram Dillon, William Lamed, and Joseph Parker
 * Collector – Walter Wells
 * Justice of the Peace – Nathaniel Lewis, John Price, Amos Jones and Elisha Higby

Between 1830 and 1890, the population of Hopewell ranged from 2,202 (1830) to 1,655 (1890).

In 1825 the County Board of Supervisors purchased farmland in the southeastern part of the town and established a home for the county poor. That land today is still owned by Ontario County and is used to house the County Health Facility, County Historian and Archives Center and other County facilities.

In 1844 members of the Fourier Society of the City of Rochester established the Ontario Union, a utopian community based on the works of French socialist Charles Fourier, in Hopewell. According to a Fourierist newspaper, the Ontario Union was located at Bates' Mills, about five miles from the main city of Canandaigua, and was home to "chairmakers, carpenters, wheelrights, millwrights, edge tool makers, blacksmiths, machinists, carriage trimmers, &c."

Notable people

 * George R. Babcock, former New York State Senator
 * Henry Morrison Flagler, United States businessman and "Father of Miami," born in Hopewell (1830).
 * Frederick Follett, journalist, newspaper editor and politician
 * Daniel Myron LeFever, American gunmaker, inventor of the hammerless shotgun, born in Hopewell (1835).
 * Edyth Walker, American opera singer of the Metropolitan Opera and Vienna State Opera, born in Hopewell (1867).

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.7 sqmi, of which 35.6 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi  (0.06%) is water.

New York State Route 21 intersects New York State Route 488 in Chapin. The NY 5/US 20 concurrency runs through the southern part of the town.

Hopewell is near the northeastern end of Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,346 people, 1,244 households, and 888 families residing in the town. The population density was 93.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,342 housing units at an average density of 37.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.97% White, 0.78% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.82% of the population.

There were 1,244 households, out of which 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.3% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.6% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $41,604, and the median income for a family was $46,452. Males had a median income of $30,575 versus $23,354 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,899. About 4.0% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Hopewell

 * Aloquin  – A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town on NY-5 and US-20.
 * Canandaigua Lake Outlet – A stream crossing the northwest corner of the town.
 * Chapin (formerly "Chapinville") – A hamlet in the northwest corner of the town at the junction of Routes 21 and 488. Although a railroad was built through the hamlet, the increase in business and commerce lasted only a short while.
 * Ennerdale – A hamlet south of Hopewell Center, located on the former Ennerdale Road, now known as County Road 47.
 * Hopewell Center (or "Hopewell") – A hamlet near the center of the town at the junction of County Roads 4 and 47.
 * Lewis – An historic location in the southeast part of the town.
 * Littleville – A hamlet on the northern town line, Littleville is the site of a grist mill built by Oliver Phelps in 1791. The hamlet is named after Norman C. Little who ran the Phelps mill along with a store (Conover).

Schools/College
Hopewell has no school district of its own, and a number of school districts cover the town. These include:
 * City of Canandaigua School District
 * Gorham-Middlesex (Marcus Whitman) School District
 * Manchester-Shortsville (Red Jacket) School District
 * Phelps-Clifton Springs (Midlakes) School District.
 * Finger Lakes Community College

Miscellaneous

 * Hopewell is home to the Pageant of Steam Official site
 * Hopewell is home to the Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center Official Site
 * Hopewell is home to the Finger Lakes Community College Official site

title: Hopewell, New York


text:
Richmond, New York

Richmond is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 3,380 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Abigail Richmond Pitts, an early settler. The town of Richmond is on the western border of the county, south of Rochester.

History
Richmond was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The area was first settled around 1790. The town was established in 1796 as "Pittstown", after Captain Peter Pitts, and was renamed "Honeoye" in 1808. In 1815, the name was changed to "Richmond", after Peter Pitts' wife, Abigail Richmond Pitts, regarded as the town's "founding mother." More territory was added to Richmond from the Town of Canadice in 1836. Parts of the Towns of Bristol and South Bristol were added to Richmond in 1848, but were returned to their previous towns in 1852.

In 1600 the Honeoye Lake Watershed was—apart from clearings made by Native Americans and natural causes such as fire, steep slope landslides, wind or ice—completely forested. The watershed’s primeval forest contained massive trees, some covering as much as a half-acre of ground.

Early settlers found these forests useful. Probably the first product to be transported to market was barrels of potash, made from ashes of the burned trees. As sawmills were erected, lumber from the trees cut from 1830 to 1890 were used in the construction of urban centers such as Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse.

Efforts to bring logs down from the inaccessible area between East Lake Road and Gulick led to the construction of a rail line in the bottom of Briggs Gully. In 1885, maximum deforestation and agricultural land use arrived in New York State, often on lands that would not support these practices. Since 1885, there has been a slow decline of farming in the watershed, accelerated by the Great Depression from 1929 to 1943 and a gradual re-establishment of the area’s forests.

Changes in the character of the Town of Richmond and Honeoye Lake Watershed over the past half century have been significant. The growth in the use of private automobiles and the construction of good roads in the 1920s and 1930s added to the desirability of Honeoye lakefront cottages. By the mid-twentieth century, undeveloped lake frontage had mostly disappeared and summer cottages filled the shoreline.

The years after World War II also signaled the end of agriculture as a principal use of the watershed land and the rapid residential development in the hills of Richmond and Canadice overlooking the lake. The reduction of agriculture resulted in the natural re-forestation of inactive agricultural lands, which was beneficial in reducing erosion. However, increased residential development resulted in the loss of native vegetation and an increase in impermeable surfaces. These historical changes in the watershed have impacted the watershed character and the water quality— both for better and worse.

In 1962, the Honeoye Chamber of Commerce organized a first Winter Carnival. The event became so popular that in 1971 over 50,000 visitors arrived—tying up traffic for miles. After considerable success, the Winter Carnival was discontinued due to lack of tourist infrastructure. Recent studies by the Ontario County Tourism Bureau have documented the major economic benefits of special festivals and occasions to Ontario County communities. The summer population has been estimated at 4,500.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.3 sqmi, of which 42.4 sqmi is land and 1.9 sqmi  (4.29%) is water.

The western town line is the border of Livingston County. Most of Honeoye Lake, one of the minor Finger Lakes, is inside the town. Honeoye Creek, the lake's outlet, flows northward through the town.

US 20A crosses the town.

Demographics
As of the US Census of 2010, Richmond has 3,361 people, 1,421 households, and 968 families residing in the town. There were 1,956 housing units. The racial makeup of the town was 98.19% White, 0.2% African American, 0.8% Native American, 0.6% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.

There were 1,421 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56% were married couples living together, 8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.1% under the age of 19, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 20.3% from 25 to 44, 38.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47.3 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $54,426, and the median income for a family was $62,039. The per capita income for the town was $27,887.

Government
Richmond operates under a typical New York State municipal government. It has a legislative branch of five town council members, one being the town supervisor, and a judicial branch consisting of two justices. The center of all town government functions is at the Richmond town hall. The town hall is located on 8690 Main St. (US Route 20A) in the hamlet of Honeoye.

Each town council member is elected to serve a four-year term, with the exception of the town supervisor who serves a two-year term.

Communities and locations in Richmond

 * Allens Hill – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town on County Road 40 (Allens Hill Road). It is named after early settlers of the Allen family who arrived around 1797.
 * Curtis Corner – A hamlet in the western part of the town on US-20A.
 * Denison Corner – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town. It is named after early settler Asa Denison, who arrived in 1795.
 * Frost Hollow – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town.
 * Honeoye – A hamlet north of Honeoye Lake on US-20A and Honeoye Creek.
 * Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area in the northwest of the town.
 * Honeoye Park – A hamlet on the east side of Honeoye Lake.
 * Richmond Center – A hamlet north of Honeoye, near the center of the town on County Road 37.
 * Richmond Mills – A location near Denison Corner in the northwestern part of the town.
 * Willow Beach – A hamlet south of Honeoye Park on the east shore of Honeoye Lake.

title: Richmond, New York


text:
Seneca, New York

Seneca is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,658 at the 2020 census. The town is named after a group of local natives.

The Town of Seneca is on the southern border of the county and is southwest of the City of Geneva.

The Town of West Seneca in Erie County added "west" to its name to avoid confusion with the Town of Seneca.

History
The region was the locale of the Seneca tribe, a member of the Iroquois, and the sites of many important villages are in the town or the surrounding area; Kanadaseaga is one.

The area was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. Settlement commenced around 1790, the year after the county was formed. A "District of Seneca" was created judicially in 1789 at the time the county was established, but its extent and subdivisions are not clearly known. The town was finally organized in 1793.

In 1872, the northeast part of the town was used to form the Town of Geneva, taking with it most of the historic Seneca communities and sites.

The Levi Barden Cobblestone Farmhouse, Thomas Barron House, and Rippey Cobblestone Farmhouse are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 50.4 sqmi, all land.

The southern town line is the border of Yates County. The town is located in the Finger Lakes region and is northwest of Seneca Lake.

Conjoined U.S. Route 20 and New York State Route 5 pass across the town. New York State Route 14A is a north-south highway in the town. New York State Route 245 is an east-west highway in the town. NY-14A and NY245 are briefly conjoined near the eastern town line.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,731 people, 967 households, and 781 families residing in the town. The population density was 54.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,032 housing units at an average density of 20.5 per square mile (7.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.84% White, 0.48% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.48% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.50% of the population.

There were 967 households, out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 27.6% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $48,007, and the median income for a family was $51,705. Males had a median income of $31,301 versus $27,146 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,165. About 2.0% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Seneca

 * Flint (formerly "Flint Creek") – A hamlet on US-20/NY-5 at Flint Creek.
 * Flint Creek – An important stream in the town.
 * Hall (formerly "Halls Corners") – A hamlet in the south part of the town on Route NY-14A.
 * Pierson Corners – A location at the junction of County Roads 4 and 20 at the north town line in the northwest part of the town.
 * Seneca – A historical location northeast of Hall.
 * Seneca Castle – A hamlet in the northern part of the town on County Road 4. It was formerly known as "Castleton."
 * Stanley (formerly "Stanleys Corners") – A hamlet on NY-245 near the center of the town.

title: Seneca, New York


text:
Shortsville, New York

Shortsville, officially the Village of Shortsville, is a village in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 1,439 at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census. Shortsville encompasses the southwestern part of the Town of Manchester and is located north of the City of Canandaigua.

History
Originally called "Short Mill," Shortsville began its existence in 1804 when Theophilus Short built two mills along the shores of the Canandaigua Outlet; the village was then incorporated in 1889.

Shortsville grew as a mill town and a number of flour, wool and paper mills were built in addition to Short's original flour and saw mills.

Companies that once inhabited Shortsville include Empire Drill Works, founded by Hiram and Calvin Brown in 1850 and operated until 1900, Shortsville Wheel Company, a manufacturer of carriage and automobile wheels, founded in 1889 and closed in the early 20th century, and Papec Machine Company, a manufacturer of farming implements, which ceased operation in the 1980s.

The first school in the village was built in 1807, a district school was built in 1911, and the Shortsville High School was completed by 1915. The property where this latter building was located is now occupied by a building and field associated with St. Dominic Church, a parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester.

Notable people

 * Philip Bredesen, Governor of Tennessee, grew up in Shortsville.
 * John Mitzewich, American chef and cooking vlogger.

Geography
Shortsville is located at 42.955°N, -77.22278°W (42.955047, -77.222810).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

County Road 13, which is Main Street in Shortsville, intersects New York State Route 21 in the western side of the village. Shortsville is approximately two miles south of both the New York State Thruway and New York State Route 96.

Shortsville is immediately south of the Village of Manchester.

The film We Are Still Here was filmed in Shortsville in 2014.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,320 people, 508 households, and 368 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,078.5 PD/sqmi. There were 520 housing units at an average density of 818.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.18% White, 0.08% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 508 households, out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, and 27.4% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 10.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $44,432, and the median income for a family was $51,023. Males had a median income of $32,650 versus $24,886 for females. The per capita income for the village was $20,440. About 2.4% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.

title: Shortsville, New York


text:
South Bristol, New York

South Bristol is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 1,651 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from its separation from the Town of Bristol.

The Town of South Bristol is in the southwestern part of the county. It claims to be the smallest town (by population) in the county.

History
South Bristol was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. Settlement commenced in the year the county was formed, 1789.

The Town of South Bristol was established in 1838 from a partition of the Town of Bristol.

The South Bristol Grange Hall 1107 and Wilder Cemetery are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.0 sqmi, of which 39.1 sqmi is land and 3.0 sqmi  (7.13%) is water.

The eastern town line, marked by Canandaigua Lake, is the border of Yates County.

North-south highways, NY 21 and NY 64 intersect in Bristol Springs.

Mud Creek and Mill Creek form deep north-south valleys in the town.

Adjacent towns and areas
The Town of Richmond, containing Honeoye Lake, shares South Bristol's west town line. The Town of Naples is to the south. The Town of Bristol is on the north, and the Town of Middlesex in Yates County is on the opposite shore of Canandaigua Lake.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,645 people, 670 households, and 469 families residing in the town. The population density was 42.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,145 housing units at an average density of 29.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.05% White, 0.18% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 670 households, out of which 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.0% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,313, and the median income for a family was $56,346. Males had a median income of $40,909 versus $29,853 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,590. About 4.7% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.1% of those under age 18 and 2.3% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in South Bristol

 * Academy – A location by the north town line.
 * Boswell Corners – A hamlet southwest of South Bristol village at the junction of County Roads 33 and 34.
 * Bristol Mountain Ski Resort – A ski resort in the center of the town.
 * Bristol Springs – A hamlet southeast of South Bristol village on NY-64. It was settled in 1812.
 * Covel Corners – A hamlet in the northeast part of the town by NY-21.
 * Gulick – A hamlet in the southwest part of the town.
 * Seneca Point – A hamlet northeast of Boswell Corners.
 * South Bristol – The hamlet of South Bristol is on NY-64 and Mud Creek-.
 * Woodville – A lakeside hamlet by Canandaigua Lake at the south town line on NY-21.
 * WNBL Broadcast Tower – A historic broadcast tower that was used for the Rural Radio Network in the 1950s. Radio station WNBL is licensed to the town and uses the tower.

Parting of the Ways - Local Nickname for the area where Rt.21, Rt.64 meet in S. Bristol.

title: South Bristol, New York


text:
West Bloomfield, New York

West Bloomfield is a town in Ontario County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2020 census.

The Town of West Bloomfield is on the county's western border and sits parallel to the Town of East Bloomfield, both of which lie south of the City of Rochester.

History
The town is within the historic homeland of the Seneca Nation, and tradition holds that three of the tribe's villages were located in the town. As such, during the spring season when much of the town's farmland is being plowed, it is not uncommon to find arrowheads and other artifacts.The first Europeans to visit the area were members of the Jesuits in the 17th century during their westward quests.

Settlement began around 1789 and the Town of West Bloomfield was officially established in 1833 from part of the Town of Bloomfield.

The West Bloomfield Congregational Church was founded in 1799. The Congregation would meet on top of a hill that would later (in 1806, current building erected in 1875) be home to the actual church building.

The town was home to the Batavia Branch Rail Line, or "Peanut Line", of the New York Central Railroad, which brought much prosperity and business to the town for almost a century. Built in 1853, it was a spur line between the rail hubs of Batavia and Canandaigua with stops in both the town itself and its hamlet of Ionia, there was also a trestle constructed on the eastern side of the town that spans the gap now occupied by NY-64 just before entering the Town of East Bloomfield. The line provided daily freight and passenger service, with connections to larger stations, and served as an integral part of the towns development. Service was discontinued in 1939, as ridership had fallen due to the usage of the automobile, and the railroad (experiencing its own financial troubles) was not making enough on freight to justify the cost.

The Ontario and Livingston Mutual Insurance Office and John and Mary Dickson House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 25.5 sqmi, of which 25.5 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.16%) is water.

West Bloomfield is the second smallest town in the county by area.

The west town line is the border of Livingston County, formed by Honeoye Creek.

Conjoined US Route 20 and New York State Route 5 cross the town. New York State Route 64 is by the eastern town line, and New York State Route 65 is in the northwestern corner of West Bloomfield.

The town sits on the southern edge of the Hopper Hills and the northern edge of the Bristol Hills, and features a number of high points with views of the Finger Lakes Region (including Honeoye and Canandaigua lake areas).

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,549 people, 1,013 households, and 729 families residing in the town. The population density was 99.9 PD/sqmi. There were 1,049 housing units at an average density of 41.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.27% White, 0.43% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.78% of the population.

There were 1,013 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,347, and the median income for a family was $52,206. Males had a median income of $37,340 versus $26,410 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,309. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.7% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Executive
The town's executive government is made up of an elected Town Board (four members) and an elected Town Supervisor, both positions are part-time; terms are four years. The town does operate its own court for minor criminal, civil and traffic matters; this is presided over by an elected Court Justice the current serving Court Justice is Richard L. Whitesell.

Public Works/Utilities

 * An elected Highway Supervisor who oversees operation of the West Bloomfield Town Highway Department; this department is also largely used for general "Public Works" as well.
 * The majority of residents have well water due to the sparse, rural population. A small, populated section in the central part of the town does have piped water for homes and fire hydrants; the town managed this via the Highway Department until control was ceded to the Monroe County Water Authority around 2011 as part of a deal to receive significant improvements to the system.
 * Electric services are provided by companies such as National Grid, Niagara Mohawk and RG&E, however a growing number of residents are turning to alternative forms of power such as solar or wind.
 * The town operates Michael Prouty Memorial Park as the sole town park/recreation area. The park is home to a baseball diamond, a multi use sports field area, a pavilion and a playground. In years past, the town operated a summer recreation program for youths at the park, however in recent years due to funding concerns the town has joined with East Bloomfield to offer a joint program at the central school grounds.

Law Enforcement
The town does not operate its own police department, and the area maintains low crime rates. It instead relies on the services of the Ontario County Sheriffs Office, who post a Deputy in town, and patrolling Troopers of the New York State Police who will act as a backup unit for the Deputy should the need arise.

Emergency Services
All 911 calls in the town are directed through the Ontario County Sheriffs Office as the town does not have its own call center.

Fire/Rescue
The town utilizes two volunteer fire stations; one in the northern hamlet of Ionia and a second is located centrally by the town highway garages on Co Rd 37. In total, roughly thirty men and women operate a combined nine fire/rescue apparatus, responding to ~100 calls for service per year. The majority of fire/rescue personnel are state certified interior/exterior firefighters (those who are not provide support services at scenes) and several hold specialized certifications in the HazMat, Rope Rescue, FAST and EMS fields.

EMS/Ambulance
For many years (~1960's-2005), the town operated its own volunteer ambulance squad. Due to low membership, aging equipment and rising costs of operation, the squad was disbanded around 2004/2005. The town initially contracted with a local paid private ambulance service that covered the neighboring towns of East Bloomfield and Bristol. Both those towns however either began paying their members or increased volunteerism and dropped the paid private service, resulting in fewer ambulances in the area and increasingly longer response times. In late 2014, the Chief of the fire department approached the Town Supervisor about concerns regarding the fire departments already limited EMS staffing being forced to deal with increased wait times for an ambulance. In 2015, the town severed its contract with the private service and entered into a new contract with the neighboring municipality of Honeoye Falls for use of their ambulance and Paramedic fly-car services on a regular basis.

Notable people

 * Joseph H. Bottum, former South Dakota State Senator
 * John Dickson, former US Congressman
 * Anna Gertrude Hall, author and librarian

Communities and locations in West Bloomfield

 * Bush Corner – A hamlet east of West Bloomfield village on US-20.
 * Factory Hollow – A historic location.
 * Ionia – A hamlet on NY-64 in the northeast part of the town.
 * Millers Corners – A historic location also known as "Taylorville," was in the northeast part of West Bloomfield. It would later be renamed "Taylorsville", and then, finally, "Ionia".
 * North Bloomfield – A hamlet at the west town line, northwest of West Bloomfield village is on NY-65.
 * West Bloomfield – The hamlet of West Bloomfield on US-20/NY-5.
 * West Bloomfield Station – A historic location.

title: West Bloomfield, New York


text:
Balmville, New York

Balmville is a hamlet (and census-designated place) in Orange County, New York, United States. 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 Statistical Area. It is located in the southeastern part of the Town of Newburgh. The population was 3,197 at the 2020 census. Many wealthy, influential, and upper income families live in Balmville on roads such as River Road, Sloane Road, Commonwealth Avenue, Susan Drive, and Grand Avenue. Susan Drive is accredited for housing the former Delano Family Estate (Algonac). The Delano family was the family of the mother of Franklin D. Roosevelt, and she in fact was born and raised at Algonac. Many homes in Balmville are incredibly expensive due to their pristine views of the Hudson River. Balmville is also the site of the Powelton Club Country Club. It currently ranks as the highest income hamlet in the greater Newburgh area.

Balmville is immediately north of, and adjoins, the city of Newburgh.

Balmville was home to the Balmville Tree, New York's smallest state forest. The tree was one of three federally protected trees in the nation. It was called a "miracle tree" due to its age (over 300 years) for its species. On August 5, 2015, because of safety concerns caused by the rapid deterioration of the tree, it was cut down and removed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Geography
Balmville is located at 41.52778°N, -74.02444°W (41.527893, -74.024426).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 2.1 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,339 people, 1,257 households, and 946 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,572.3 PD/sqmi. There were 1,288 housing units at an average density of 606.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 79.66% White, 9.46% African American, 0.03% Native American, 3.05% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 4.88% from other races, and 2.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.03% of the population.

There were 1,257 households, out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $66,979, and the median income for a family was $72,925. Males had a median income of $50,426 versus $38,884 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $30,646. About 1.0% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Balmville Elementary School
Balmville has been a part of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District since consolidation in 1963. The original Balmville School building stood on what later became the Desmond Estate. When that building (which has long since been demolished) outgrew its space, it was replaced by a new building built on land donated by Warren Delano of the Delano family with funds donated by his daughter, Annie Delano-Hitch. Mrs. Hitch was a lifelong Balmville resident whose sister was Sara Delano Roosevelt, the mother of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This old elementary school building with a cornerstone indicating construction in 1897 is still standing today. It stands on what is now the northeast corner of U.S. Route 9W and Fostertown Road. (The current Route 9W was constructed in the late 1920s.) It is immediately north of the current elementary school, at the southeast corner of 9W and Fostertown Road, which was initially constructed in 1953-54, but was added onto many times since, most recently in 2007. In 2007, the Board of Education of the Newburgh Enlarged City School District voted to demolish the older school building and expend $375,000 to do so. The school board concluded that the building is "unstable" and poses a "health and safety hazard even to those just walking or parking outside." This conclusion was based upon an architectural survey commissioned by the Board of Education. Local civic and historic groups rose up and demanded that this historically and architecturally significant building be spared. Local developers Rick Milton and Keith Libolt stepped forward and offered buy the building, restore it, and lease it back to the school district. Milton charged that District Administrators and the architect's report "scared the board into thinking that the building is going to fall down. It's not true." Milton further charged that the administrators were simply looking for a quick way to create more parking spaces for the "new" school and contended that additional parking could be found elsewhere on the school property. The Board of Education relented and rescinded its demolition order. Although most classes have been held in the "new" Balmville School since 1954, some classes had been held in the "old" building as late as the mid-1970s, and it had been used for offices and other administrative purposes up to the mid-1980s. It had been used for storage since. Milton and Libolt propose using the "old" building for administrative and office space, freeing the space used in the "new" building for these purposes and also for expanding the school library. On Oct. 30, 2007, the Board of Education voted to table the demolition for the time being.

Secondary and higher education
While many residents of Balmville attend Newburgh Free Academy, others attend local independent schools. A large number of graduates from Balmville have attended Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Princeton, and Yale.

James D. Hughes
Balmville was the birthplace of Air Force General James D. Hughes. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (located only about 17 miles away), Gen Hughes continued to live in Balmville with his family for most of his life. General Hughes was the military aide to Richard M. Nixon during the latter's second term as Vice President of the United States and again during his subsequent presidency.

The Balmville Tree
The Balmville Tree was located behind the current Balmville Elementary School, where Balmville Road, River Road, and Commonwealth Avenue intersect. It was the smallest state forest in New York, and was one of only three trees protected by the federal government. It had been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2000. Rapid deterioration of the condition of the tree resulted in its removal by the New York State Department of Conservation on August 5, 2015.

Algonac
Balmville was the site of Algonac — the birthplace and home of Sara Delano, the mother of U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Algonac was located at what is now Susan Drive.

Balmville Grange
The Balmville Grange Hall is located on Fostertown Road 2/10 of a mile west of the intersection with Route 9W and is the last remaining grange in the Town of Newburgh. It celebrated its 100th anniversary on September 28, 2003.

Newburgh Beacon Bridge and Interstate 84
The western terminus of the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge is in Balmville. In fact, Interstate 84, which crosses the bridge, bisects Balmville just south of the Powelton Club. Property was taken from the Powelton Club for the construction of this highway, although not as much land was taken as occurred in the 1920s for the construction of U.S. Route 9W. The New York State Bridge Authority recently constructed parking lots on Grand Avenue to accommodate hikers who utilize the pedestrian path on the bridge. This was done to discourage vehicles parking under the overpass, a security concern since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

title: Balmville, New York