Waterville, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Waterville, New York
settlement_type = Village
nickname =
motto =

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pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Oneida
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.4
area_land_km2 = 3.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.3
area_land_sq_mi = 1.3
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 1721
population_density_km2 = 501.1
population_density_sq_mi = 1297.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 366
elevation_ft = 1201
latd = 42 |latm = 55 |lats = 54 |latNS = N
longd = 75 |longm = 22 |longs = 36 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 13480
area_code = 315
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-78663GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0968917GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Waterville is a village in Oneida County, New York, United States. According to the 2000 census, its population was 1,721.

Geography

Waterville is located at coor dms|42|55|54|N|75|22|36|W|city (42.931591, -75.376538)GR|1.

The Village of Waterville is on the border of the Town of Marshall and the Town of Sangerfield.

State Route 12 runs north-south through the center of town, where it intersects State Route 315. One mile south of the village, State Route 20 runs east-west and intersects Route 12 in Sangerfield, New York.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land excepting the Waterville Creek which runs through the center of town, paralleling Sanger Avenue/Main Street (Route 12) and Buell Avenue (Route 315). Rolling hills, farmland, and deciduous forests are found in the surrounding area.

The nearest city, Utica, New York, is approximately fifteen miles north of Waterville. The village or Waterville is at a higher elevation than Utica, which is located in the Mohawk River Valley.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 1,721 people, 626 households, and 435 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,297.8 people per square mile (499.6/km²). There were 673 housing units at an average density of 507.5/sq mi (195.4/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.08% White, 0.46% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.58% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.81% of the population.

There were 626 households out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% 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 3.09.

In the village the population was spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 70.7 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $37,563, and the median income for a family was $46,761. Males had a median income of $32,009 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,219. About 8.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

History

The area was first settled around 1792 and was known as "The Huddle" (later a popular local bar in the village). In 1808, the settlement became formally known as Waterville.

Around 1820 hop farming "(humulus lupulus)" was introduced and by 1875, Waterville was considered the "Hop Capital of the World." Several inventions essential to the raising and curing of hops were created in the area, the most important of which was the liquid Hop Extract, and in the late 1860s the International Hop Stock Exchange was established.

After the advent of rail service in 1867, Waterville became the primary shipping point for hop-related cargo. "Waterville Hops" as well as Hop Extract were shipped to brewers all over the world. Prosperity rose throughout the Waterville area and much of the community's Victorian architecture reflects the wealth of its residents during the "golden years." Hop production began to slow in the 1920s due primarily to poor agricultural technology. Although the last of the hop farms closed in the 1940s, some residents still enjoy growing hop vines as a hobby or for decorative and/or historic reasons rather than for brewing beer.

Waterville was also home to the Waterville Knitting Mill which produced textiles until it closed in the early 1980s during the Reagan Era. Dairy farming remains an important industry in the Waterville area.

The Loomis Gang, a notorious group of horse thieves, lived and operated in the Waterville area during the mid-nineteenth century. Beyond documented history, there is much folklore associated with the Loomis family, including legends of ghosts.

Between 2002-2007, several renovations were made in Waterville. A new Municipal Hall was constructed in 2002; a new Waterville Public Library with formal gardens opened in 2006. A two-year New York State Department of Transportation Highway Reconstruction Project in 2005-06 added new sidewalks, brick paving, granite curbing and planted trees on Main Street (State Route 12) which, along with the village's park, is now lined with Victorian street lamps. A town clock adorns the corner of Main Street and White Street in the center of the village. Newly installed sewer pipes have helped to curb pollution of the Waterville Creek, a tributary of the Mohawk River.

chools and Education

Waterville Central School District serves several communities in the area including Deansboro, New York, North Brookfield, New York, Oriskany Falls, New York, and Sangerfield, New York. The district has two buildings including Memorial Park Elementary School for grades K-5 (located on East Bacon Street), and Waterville Central Middle and High School for grades 6-12 (located on Madison Street).

Colleges within twenty-five miles include Hamilton College, Colgate University, Utica College, SUNY IT, and Mohawk Valley Community College.

Local Attractions

The Waterville Historical Society, housed in the former Town Hall on White Street, features a local history museum.

The Waterville Volunteer Fire Department hosts the annual fund-raising Waterville Firemen's Field Days typically held on the third weekend of July. The Field Days are a three-day long carnival that include amusement rides and games, parades, a softball tournament, food, live music, and often fireworks.

Notable past residents

*Frank Lusk Babbott, jute merchant, art collector, patron, and philanthropist, was born in Waterville. Babbott Field and Babbott Avenue are named in his honor.
*George Eastman, inventor and founder of Eastman Kodak, was born in Waterville

References

External links

* [http://www.watervilleny.com Village of Waterville, NY]
* [http://www.watervilleschools.org/ Waterville Central School]
* [http://departments.firehouse.com/dept/WatervilleNY Waterville Volunteer Fire Department]
* [http://www.villageofwaterville.com Waterville, NY Community Portal]