Haverstraw (town), New York

Haverstraw is a town in Rockland County, New York, United States located north of the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Ramapo; east of Orange County, New York; south of the Town of Stony Point and west of the Hudson River. The population was 33,811 at the 2000 census. The name comes from a Dutch word meaning "Oat Straw," referring to the grasslands along the river.

The Town of Haverstraw contains a village, also known as Haverstraw. The town runs from the west to the east border of the county in its northern part. The Town Supervisor is Mr. Howard T. Phillips Jr. The Town Councilmen are Mr. Vincent Gamboli, Mr. John J. Gould, Mr. Hector L. Soto and Mr. Isidro "Papo" Cancel (Appointed).

Police DepartmentThe Town of Haverstraw is protected and served by over eighty men and women. The Village of Haverstraw Police Department merged with The Town of Haverstraw Police Department in January 2006 and now serve as one department now protecting both the town and the village of Haverstraw. HTTP serves under the command of Chief Charles Miller III. This police department is a diverse force and is proud of their commitment to protect their town. The force consists over over 80 Police Officers with four part-time employees.

New York State Police Officers of the Year 2000The Town of Haverstraw Police Department is home to five officers who received New York States highest award for bravery in the line of duty. The New York State Police Officer of the Year award for Year 2000 was granted to Lieutenant Martin Lund, Sergeant Wayne Dunn, Sergeant John Lawless, Detective Brian Lauler and Police Officer Gregg Gaynor for their heroic acts. These hero officers repeatedly entered a burning three story 52 unit apartment building to alert and evacuate many of the still sleeping residents. All of the officers had to brave thick smoke, intense heat and flames. They worked their way through the building, at times crawling on the floor, to escort frightened and disoriented residents from the building. Many small children had to be carried. Two of the officers suffered smoke inhalation and a third was treated for a laceration to his leg, as well as smoke inhalation. Governor Pataki recognized each officer for their actions in an award ceremony held in the Village of Haverstraw.

High Tor Highest point on South Mountain. During the American Revolution, it served as an important lookout for British activities on the Hudson. A blue-marked trail, the Long Path, may be taken 2 miles eastward from Central Highway along the crest of South Mountain to High Tor. Halfway is Little Tor, the second highest peak on South Mountain.

History

In 1609, the region was explored by Henry Hudson. A land purchase was made in this town in 1666 from local natives and confirmed as a patent in 1671. The region was known as "Haverstroo," meaning "Oat straw."

The Town of Haverstraw was formed in 1788 while still part of Orange County. Haverstraw was partitioned in 1791 to form the Town of Clarkstown and the Town of Ramapo and again in 1865 to form the Town of Stony Point.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.5 square miles (71.4 km²), of which, 22.4 square miles (58.1 km²) of it is land and 5.1 square miles (13.3 km²) of it (18.66%) is water.

The east border of the town is the Hudson River, and the west town line is Orange County, New York.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 33,811 people, 11,255 households, and 8,328 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,508.3 people per square mile (582.3/km²). There were 11,553 housing units at an average density of 515.4/sq mi (199.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 66.24% White, 10.27% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 15.65% from other races, and 4.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 31.73% of the population.

There were 11,255 households out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.43.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $53,850, and the median income for a family was $61,119. Males had a median income of $40,109 versus $31,979 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,188. About 8.1% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 13.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Haverstraw

*Bowline Point Town Park - A park east of Haverstraw on a peninsula, called Bowline Point, in the Hudson River.
*Camp Hill - A hamlet near the south town line.
*Felters Corners - A hamlet west of Garnerville.
*Garnerville - A hamlet southwest of West Haverstraw.
*Harriman State Park - Part of the park is in the western part of the town.
*Haverstraw -- The Village of Haverstraw.
*Johnsontown - A hamlet west of West Haverstraw named after the Johnson brothers.
*Lake Kanawauke - A lake in Harriman State Park in the southwest corner of the town.
*Lake Sebago - A lake in Harriman State Park in the southwest corner of the town.
*Lake Welch - A lake in Harriman State Park near the west town line.
*Mount Ivy -- A hamlet by the south town line.
*Pomona - The Village of Pomona is partly in the town and partly in the Town of Ramapo.
*Samsondale - A hamlet east of West Haverstraw.
*Thiells - A hamlet west of West Haverstraw.
*West Haverstraw - The Village of West Haverstraw.
*Willow Grove - A hamlet on the north town line.

Transportation

Major highways include the Palisades Parkway, US 9W, US 202, NY 45, NY Waterway/Metro North Haverstraw-Ossining Ferry

References

External links

* [http://www.haverstrawchamber.org Greater Haverstraw Chamber of Commerce, Inc.]
* [http://www.townofhaverstraw.us/toh_main.php Town of Haverstraw, NY]
* [http://www.haverstrawems.org/ Haverstraw Ambulance Corps]