Town in New York, United States
| Deerpark, New York | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 The refurbished Huguenot Schoolhouse, now the historical museum of Deerpark | |
 Location in Orange County and New York | |
  Deerpark, New YorkShow map of New York Deerpark, New YorkShow map of the United States | |
| Coordinates: 41°27′N 74°39′W / 41.450°N 74.650°W / 41.450; -74.650 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Orange |
| Settled | 1690 |
| Established | 1798 |
| Government | |
| • Town Supervisor | Gary Spears (R, C, I) Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 67.95 sq mi (175.98 km) |
| • Land | 66.50 sq mi (172.23 km) |
| • Water | 1.45 sq mi (3.75 km) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 7,509 |
| • Density | 110/sq mi (43/km) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 12729, 12746, 12780, 12785 |
| Area code | 845 |
| FIPS code | 36-071-19961 |
| Website | townofdeerpark |
Deerpark is a town in the western part of Orange County, New York, United States, and part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 Census, the population was at 7,509. The center of population of New York is located in Cuddebackville, a hamlet in Deerpark. Cuddebackville and Deerpark most are the headquarters of both the global Falun Gong religious movement and the Shen Yun performance arts troupe, based at the Dragon Springs compound.
History
Dutch & Huguenot colonists settled in the area in the 17th century, centered on a Dutch settlement named Waghackamack and later renamed to Minisink. The settlement was part of the boundary dispute between New York and New Jersey, which began circa 1700 and was not resolved until 1773. During the American Revolution, the area was raided twice by Mohawk Leader, Joseph Brant. The more impactful of the raids took place on July 20, 1776, causing mass destruction in the town and leading to the Battle of Minisink.
The town of Deerpark would be established in 1798, being formed from the southeastern section of Mamakating. The town got its name from a tract of land enclosed with a brush fence, referred to as McDaniel’s “Deerpark” by locals. On May 11, 1853, what is now Port Jervis would split off from the town, becoming its own incorporated village.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 67.9 square miles (176 km), of which 66.4 square miles (172 km) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km) (2.14%) is water. It is considered the second largest town in area in Orange County.
The southwestern town line is the border of Pennsylvania, marked by the Delaware River. The western and northern town lines are the border of Sullivan County, New York. The Neversink River flows through the town. The city of Port Jervis is located at the southern corner of the town, and a small portion of the town borders on Montague Township, New Jersey.
US Route 209 parallels the course of the Neversink River. Hawk's Nest scenic overlook along New York State Route 97 offers views of the Delaware River. Interstate 84 passes through the southern portion of town near the New Jersey state line.
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 955 | — | |
| 1810 | 1,230 | 28.8% | |
| 1820 | 1,340 | 8.9% | |
| 1830 | 1,167 | −12.9% | |
| 1840 | 1,607 | 37.7% | |
| 1850 | 4,032 | 150.9% | |
| 1860 | 5,186 | 28.6% | |
| 1870 | 9,387 | 81.0% | |
| 1880 | 11,420 | 21.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,156 | −81.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,932 | −10.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,696 | −12.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,615 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,779 | 10.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,227 | 25.2% | |
| 1950 | 2,519 | 13.1% | |
| 1960 | 2,777 | 10.2% | |
| 1970 | 4,370 | 57.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,633 | 28.9% | |
| 1990 | 7,832 | 39.0% | |
| 2000 | 7,858 | 0.3% | |
| 2010 | 7,901 | 0.5% | |
| 2020 | 7,509 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,858 people, 2,906 households, and 2,115 families residing in the town. The population density was 118.3 inhabitants per square mile (45.7/km). There were 3,332 housing units at an average density of 50.2 per square mile (19.4/km). The racial makeup of the town was 90.52% white, 5.54% African American, .27% Native American, .57% Asian, .74% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.82% of the population.
There were 2,906 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $49,987. Males had a median income of $40,070 versus $25,642 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,252. About 7.4% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations
- Cahoonzie – A hamlet in the western part of the town on NY-42.
- Cuddebackville – A hamlet at the intersection of US-209 and NY-211, located approximately ten miles north of Port Jervis. The community was named after Colonel William Cuddeback, the original owner of the site.
- Dragon Springs – A compound of the Falun Gong movement, home to its leader Li Hongzhi and many of his followers.
- Godeffroy – A small hamlet south of Cuddebackville on US-209.
- Huguenot – A hamlet north of Port Jervis on US-209. Huguenot Schoolhouse and Neversink Valley Grange Hall No. 1530 are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The community is named after the Huguenot immigrants that moved there to escape religious persecution.
- Montague Valley Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area near Cahoonzie.
- Paradise – A hamlet on County Road 7 by the northern town line.
- Port Orange – A hamlet north of Cuddebackville on US-209.
- Prospect Hill – A hamlet west of Cuddebackville.
- Rio – A hamlet on NY-42 near the northern town line. Cottage in the Pines was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
- Roses Point – A location south of Cuddebackville on US-209.
- Sparrowbush – A hamlet and census-designated place west of Port Jervis on NY-42 and the Delaware River.
- Westbrookville – A hamlet north of Cuddebackville on US-209, located on the border of Orange and Sullivan County
Education
Port Jervis School District serves most of Deerpark, including Sparrow Bush. A small portion is zoned to Eldred Central School District.
The Port Jervis district operates Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School (HBE) in Cuddebackville. Additionally Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School is in Deerpark, but with a Port Jervis postal address. The zoned secondary schools for the district are Port Jervis Middle School and Port Jervis High School, the former in Port Jervis, and the latter in Deerpark but with a Port Jervis postal address. Kuhl and Port Jervis High are on the same property.
Notable people
- Karl Brabenec, former town supervisor and member of the New York State Assembly, from the 98th District (2014–present)
- Bruce Manning, filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist
- William H. Cuddeback, politician and judge who was on the New York Court of Appeals (1912–1919)
- Thomas Samuel Swartwout, early settler and founder of the town (Wagheckemeck Patent, October 14, 1697) along with Pierre Guimard, Jacques Caudebec, Anthony Swartwout, Bernardus Swartwout, David Jamison & Jan Tyse.
See also
References
- Notes
- "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
- "State Centers" U.S. Census Bureau
- ^ "History". townofdeerparkny.gov. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- "Minisink Valley Historical Society - The Battle At Minisink Ford". www.minisink.org. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- "Minisink Valley Historical Society - Port Jervis and the Gilded Age". minisink.org. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
- "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- Eager, Samuel Watkins (1846). An Outline History of Orange County: Together with Local Tradition and Short Biographical Sketches of Early Settlers, Etc. T. E. Henderson. p. 394.
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/09/13 through 12/13/13. National Park Service. December 20, 2013.
- "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/19/15 through 10/23/15. National Park Service. October 13, 2015.
- "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Orange County, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
- "Home". Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
929 Route 209 Cuddebackville, New York 12729
- "Home". Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
10 Route 209 Port Jervis, New York 12771
- Despite the "Port Jervis" postal address, the school is physically in Deerpark.- Compare full address to the zoning map of Deerpark: "Zoning Map" (PDF). Town of Deerpark. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- Compare to the map of Port Jervis: "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Port Jervis city, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- "Home". Port Jervis Middle School. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
118 E Main Street Port Jervis, New York 12771
- "Home". Port Jervis High School. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
10 Route 209 Port Jervis, New York 12771
- Despite the "Port Jervis" postal address, the school is physically in Deerpark.- Compare full address to the zoning map of Deerpark: "Zoning Map" (PDF). Town of Deerpark. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- Compare to the map of Port Jervis: "2010 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Port Jervis city, NY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- "Port Jervis High School Profile" (PDF). Port Jervis School District. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
