Cortland, New York
Encyclopedia
Cortland is a city
in Cortland County, New York
, USA
. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 18,740. It is the county seat
of Cortland County
.
The City of Cortland, near the west border of the county, is surrounded by the Town of Cortlandville
.
. The city is named after Pierre Van Cortlandt
the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York.
Cortland, settled in 1791, was made a village in 1853 (rechartered in 1864), and was incorporated as a city in 1900 as the 41st city in the State of New York
. When the county was formed in 1808, Cortland vied with other villages and won the status of becoming the county seat. The City of Cortland is the county seat
of Cortland County. Known as the "Crown City" because of its location on a plain
formed by the convergence of seven valleys, Cortland is situated about 1,130 feet (344 m) above sea level, making it the uppermost city to crown the state.
Forty stars, representing the 40 cities incorporated before Cortland, circle the State of New York and Crown on the Official City Seal. The seven points of the Crown create seven valleys depicting Cortland's seven surrounding valleys. The 41st star in the center of the Crown illustrates Cortland as the closest incorporated City to the geographic center of New York.
The leading industry in Cortland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was the Wickwire Brothers wire drawing mill, noted for its production of wire hardware cloth for use as window screens. The extent of their wealth is commemorated in a pair of magnificent mansions, the Victorian gothic home of Chester Wickwire is now the "1890 House Museum and Center for the Victorian Arts" while the 1912 home of Charles Wickwire is now called the SUNY Cortland Alumni House and is owned and operated by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association. It is open to the public as well as being used by the Alumni Association to host College related events and house visiting dignitaries.
Cortland was also home to a pioneering truck
maker, Brockway
. Begun in 1875 as Brockway Carriage Works, it was taken over by Mack
in 1956, and survived until 1977. The city continues to host an annual show of Brockway trucks.
Cortland also boasts a classic Octagon house
In 1868 Cortland became the home of the Cortland Normal School, now the State University of New York at Cortland
.
In 2006, Cortland's historic clock tower burned down. It was later re-built, with spaces for both businesses and apartment style housing.
and Binghamton, New York
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.51%) is water.
The Tioughnioga River
flows southward past the city.
Interstate 81
, US Route 11, and New York State Route 281
are north-south highways servicing the city. New York State Route 13
and New York State Route 41
also service the city.
Air service is provided by Cortland County, Chase Field (N03), located west of the city.
of 2000, there were 18,740 people, 6,922 households, and 3,454 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,778.6 people per square mile (1,845.8/km²). There were 7,550 housing units at an average density of 1,925.2 per square mile (743.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.72% White, 1.56% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.
There were 6,922 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples
living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 28.4% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,478, and the median income for a family was $39,167. Males had a median income of $29,857 versus $21,614 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $14,267. About 13.9% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
training camp was moved to Cortland from its traditional home in Florham Park, NJ. The team located their operations at the State University of New York, Cortland campus. The camp drew in 34,000 visitors and brought nearly $4.26 million dollars to the local economy. In 2010, the New York Jets signed a 3-year contract with SUNY Cortland to continue their partnership.
City
A city is a relatively large and permanent settlement. Although there is no agreement on how a city is distinguished from a town within general English language meanings, many cities have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law.For example, in the U.S...
in Cortland County, New York
Cortland County, New York
Cortland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, named after Federico Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. The county seat is Cortland...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of 18,740. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cortland County
Cortland County, New York
Cortland County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, named after Federico Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. The county seat is Cortland...
.
The City of Cortland, near the west border of the county, is surrounded by the Town of Cortlandville
Cortlandville, New York
Cortlandville is a town in Cortland County, New York, United States. The population was 7,919 at the 2000 census.The Town of Cortlandville surrounds the City of Cortland and is at the western border of the county.- History :...
.
History
The city is within the former Central New York Military TractCentral New York Military Tract
The Military Tract of Central New York, also called the New Military Tract, consisted of nearly two million acres of bounty land set aside to compensate New York’s soldiers after their participation in the Revolutionary War....
. The city is named after Pierre Van Cortlandt
Pierre Van Cortlandt
Pierre Van Cortlandt was the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York.He was born in New York, the son of Philip Van Cortlandt and Catherine DePeyster...
the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of New York.
Cortland, settled in 1791, was made a village in 1853 (rechartered in 1864), and was incorporated as a city in 1900 as the 41st city in the State of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. When the county was formed in 1808, Cortland vied with other villages and won the status of becoming the county seat. The City of Cortland is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Cortland County. Known as the "Crown City" because of its location on a plain
Plain
In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Prairies and steppes are types of plains, and the archetype for a plain is often thought of as a grassland, but plains in their natural state may also be covered in shrublands, woodland and forest, or...
formed by the convergence of seven valleys, Cortland is situated about 1,130 feet (344 m) above sea level, making it the uppermost city to crown the state.
Forty stars, representing the 40 cities incorporated before Cortland, circle the State of New York and Crown on the Official City Seal. The seven points of the Crown create seven valleys depicting Cortland's seven surrounding valleys. The 41st star in the center of the Crown illustrates Cortland as the closest incorporated City to the geographic center of New York.
The leading industry in Cortland in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was the Wickwire Brothers wire drawing mill, noted for its production of wire hardware cloth for use as window screens. The extent of their wealth is commemorated in a pair of magnificent mansions, the Victorian gothic home of Chester Wickwire is now the "1890 House Museum and Center for the Victorian Arts" while the 1912 home of Charles Wickwire is now called the SUNY Cortland Alumni House and is owned and operated by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association. It is open to the public as well as being used by the Alumni Association to host College related events and house visiting dignitaries.
Cortland was also home to a pioneering truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
maker, Brockway
Brockway Motor Company
Brockway Motor Company was a builder of custom heavy-duty trucks in Cortland, New York from 1912 to 1977. It was founded as Brockway Carriage Works in 1875 by William Brockway...
. Begun in 1875 as Brockway Carriage Works, it was taken over by Mack
Mack Trucks
Mack Trucks is an American truck-manufacturing company and a former manufacturer of buses and trolley buses. A wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Véhicules Industriels since 1990, Mack Trucks is currently a subsidiary of AB Volvo. The company's headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina...
in 1956, and survived until 1977. The city continues to host an annual show of Brockway trucks.
Cortland also boasts a classic Octagon house
Octagon house
Octagon houses were a unique house style briefly popular in the 1850s in the United States and Canada. They are characterised by an octagonal plan, and often feature a flat roof and a veranda all round...
In 1868 Cortland became the home of the Cortland Normal School, now the State University of New York at Cortland
State University of New York at Cortland
The State University of New York College at Cortland, also officially called SUNY Cortland or informally known as Cortland State, is a coeducational university located in Cortland, New York...
.
In 2006, Cortland's historic clock tower burned down. It was later re-built, with spaces for both businesses and apartment style housing.
Notable residents
- Catherine BertiniCatherine BertiniCatherine Bertini is an American public servant. She was the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program from 1992 to 2002. Currently, she is a Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs of Syracuse University...
, longtime global leader in food aid distribution. - Carl CarmerCarl CarmerCarl Lamson Carmer was an author of nonfiction books, memoirs, and novels, many of which focused on Americana such as myths, folklore, and tales. His most famous book, Stars Fell on Alabama, was an autobiographical story of the time he spent living in Alabama...
, author - William DillonWilliam DillonWilliam Austin Dillon was an American songwriter and Vaudevillian. He is best known as the lyricist for the song "I Want a Girl " , written in collaboration with Harry Von Tilzer. It can be heard in Show Business and The Jolson Story...
, composer, lyricist, and vaudevillian. - Ronnie James DioRonnie James DioRonald James Padavona , better known as Ronnie James Dio, was an American heavy metal vocalist and songwriter. He performed with, amongst others, Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, and his own band Dio, which means God in Italian. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser...
, former frontman for RainbowRainbow (band)Rainbow were an English rock band, controlled by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore from 1975 to 1984 and 1994 to 1997. It was originally established with American rock band Elf's members, though over the years Rainbow went through many line-up changes with no two studio albums featuring the same line-up...
and Black SabbathBlack SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
. A street in Cortland is named for him (Dio Way). - Nancy DuffyNancy DuffyNancy Duffy was a longtime newspaper/television personality and co-founder of the Syracuse St. Patrick's Parade, Syracuse, New York in 1983.-Journalism:...
, Syracuse news personality and founder of the Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade. - Chester GilletteChester GilletteChester Ellsworth Gillette , an American convicted murderer, became the basis for the fictional character Clyde Griffiths in the Theodore Dreiser novel, An American Tragedy, which in turn was the basis of the 1951 Academy Award-winning film A Place in the Sun.- Background :Gillette was born in...
, convicted of the 1906 murder of his girlfriend, Grace BrownGrace BrownGrace Mae Brown was an American skirt factory worker whose murder caused a nationwide sensation, and whose life inspired the fictional character Roberta Alden in the Theodore Dreiser novel, An American Tragedy, as well as the Jennifer Donnelly novel, A Northern Light...
of Cortland, in a highly publicized, and controversial trial. He was executed by electrocution in 1908. - Nathan Lewis Miller Governor of New York.
- Mark NauseefMark NauseefMark Nauseef , is a drummer and percussionist who has enjoyed a varied career, ranging from rock music during the 1970s with his time as a member of the Ian Gillan Band and, temporarily, Thin Lizzy, to a wide range of musical styles in more recent times, playing with many notable musicians from all...
, musician - Alton B. ParkerAlton B. ParkerAlton Brooks Parker was an American lawyer, judge and the Democratic nominee for U.S. president in the 1904 elections.-Life:...
, Democratic candidate for President in 1904. - Sime SilvermanSime SilvermanSime Silverman was an American newspaper publisher best known as the founder of the weekly Variety in New York in 1905 and the Hollywood-based Daily Variety in 1933....
, publisher - Elmer Ambrose SperryElmer Ambrose SperryElmer Ambrose Sperry was a prolific inventor and entrepreneur, most famous as co-inventor, with Herman Anschütz-Kaempfe of the gyrocompass.Sperry was born at Cincinnatus, New York, United States of America...
, prolific inventor who invented gyroscopic compass and held over 400 patents. USS Sperry (AS-12) named after him. - Raymond Gram SwingRaymond Gram SwingRaymond Gram Swing was an American print and broadcast journalist. He was one of the most influential news commentators of his era, heard by people worldwide as a leading American voice from Britain during World War II...
, journalist - Michael C. Antil Sr., 1930's Baking Industry Marketing Innovator – Centennial Chairman
- Samuel Ringgold WardSamuel Ringgold WardSamuel Ringgold Ward was an African American who escaped enslavement to become an abolitionist, newspaper editor and Congregational minister....
, African American who escaped enslavement to become an abolitionist, newspaper editor and Congregational minister - Spiegle WillcoxSpiegle WillcoxNewell "Spiegle" Willcox was a jazz trombonist. He was born Newell Lynn Willcox in upstate New York, and learned valve trombone as a youngster under the tuition of his father, Lynn Willcox, an amateur musician and bandleader...
Jazz trombone player, composer, and singer - Gary WoodGary WoodGary Fay Wood was an American football quarterback in the National Football League from 1964 until 1969.The 5' 11 quarterback was drafted out of Cornell University in the 1964 NFL Draft by the New York Giants in the eighth round...
NFL quarterback for the New York Giants - David Feinstein Musician (Feinstein)
- John WestJohn WestThe Rev. John West emigrated from England to Van Diemen's Land in 1838 as a Colonial missionary, and became pastor of an Independent Chapel in Launceston's St. John's Square in 1839. His contribution to Launceston and Australian life was great and varied promoting private and charitable...
Musician, Singer, Guitarist, Composer (ex- Royal Hunt), Feinstein, Yngwie Malmsteen
Geography
Cortland is located at 42°36′2"N 76°10′53"W (42.600658, −76.181284). Cortland lies between Syracuse, New YorkSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and Binghamton, New York
Binghamton, New York
Binghamton is a city in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It is near the Pennsylvania border, in a bowl-shaped valley at the confluence of the Susquehanna and Chenango Rivers...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), of which, 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.51%) is water.
The Tioughnioga River
Tioughnioga River
The Tioughnioga River is a tributary of the Chenango River in central New York in the United States. It drains a dissected plateau area east of the Finger Lakes at the northernmost edge of the watershed of the Susquehanna River....
flows southward past the city.
Interstate 81
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 is an Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at Interstate 40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Island at the Canadian border, where the Thousand Islands Bridge connects it to Highway 401, the main freeway...
, US Route 11, and New York State Route 281
New York State Route 281
New York State Route 281 is a north–south state highway in central New York, United States. It extends for across Cortland and Onondaga Counties. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with NY 13 in the town of Cortlandville. Its northern terminus is at a junction with...
are north-south highways servicing the city. New York State Route 13
New York State Route 13
New York State Route 13 is a state highway that runs mainly north–south for between NY 14 in Horseheads and NY 3 west of Pulaski in Central New York in the United States. In between, NY 13 intersects with Interstate 81 in Cortland and Pulaski and meets the New York...
and New York State Route 41
New York State Route 41
New York State Route 41 is a north–south state highway in Central New York, United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an interchange with NY 17 in the town of Sanford. Its northern terminus is at an intersection with U.S. Route 20 in the village of Skaneateles...
also service the city.
Air service is provided by Cortland County, Chase Field (N03), located west of the city.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 18,740 people, 6,922 households, and 3,454 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,778.6 people per square mile (1,845.8/km²). There were 7,550 housing units at an average density of 1,925.2 per square mile (743.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.72% White, 1.56% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.
There were 6,922 households out of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.1% were non-families. 36.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.3% under the age of 18, 28.4% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 88.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $26,478, and the median income for a family was $39,167. Males had a median income of $29,857 versus $21,614 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $14,267. About 13.9% of families and 24.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.8% of those under age 18 and 15.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The Government of Cortland consists of a mayor who is elected at large. The city council consists of 8 members. One member is elected from each of the 8 wards.Sports
In summer 2009, the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
training camp was moved to Cortland from its traditional home in Florham Park, NJ. The team located their operations at the State University of New York, Cortland campus. The camp drew in 34,000 visitors and brought nearly $4.26 million dollars to the local economy. In 2010, the New York Jets signed a 3-year contract with SUNY Cortland to continue their partnership.
See also
- Cortland County
- Town of CortlandvilleCortlandville, New YorkCortlandville is a town in Cortland County, New York, United States. The population was 7,919 at the 2000 census.The Town of Cortlandville surrounds the City of Cortland and is at the western border of the county.- History :...