Hammond (town), New York
Encyclopedia
Hammond is a town
in St. Lawrence County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 1,207 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from early land owner Abijah Hammond.
The Town of Hammond is in the northwest corner of St. Lawrence County. The Village of Hammond
lies approximately centrally within the town.
and the Town of Rossie
were combined. Subsequent small alterations in the town lines affected the neighboring Towns of Rossie, Macomb, and Morristown.
Alexander Macomb bought land in this area and this was known as the Macomb purchase. Later this land was bought by Abijah Hammond, a New York Businessman, he in turned sold 28871 acres (116.8 km²) of land to David Parish. A land office was opened in 1814 in Chippewa Bay, a sub-community of the Town of Hammond today.
By a Act of New York State Legislature they passed that Hammond was officially a town, this happened on March 30, 1827. The town was named after Abijah Hammond. Hammond is older than Chicago and at one point was larger but due to location Hammond lost its population.
The first resident of Hammond was in Chippewa Bay and this was William McNeil. He was originally from Vermont. He lived in a cave which is no longer there, the spot is marked with a nearby plaque provided by the local R.T. Elethorp Historical Society. A statue was carved in his honor and is located in front of the Hammond Museum north of the Village of Hammond on state Route 37. The cave was covered by construction crews when a road was built to the edge of the bay.
Population had increased by 240% by the year 1840. The first school house was built in 1819-1820. the first church in 1821 and the first post office in 1822. The log shanties with thatched roofs were replaced with frame and stone houses, many which stand today. The stone houses built in the early 1800s were built by the first Scottish families immigrating to the Hammond area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 77.9 square miles (201.8 km²), of which, 62.2 square miles (161.1 km²) of it is land and 15.7 square miles (40.6 km²) of it (20.13%) is water.
The northern town line is the international border of Ontario
, Canada
, defined by the St. Lawrence River. The western town line is the border of Jefferson County
.
New York State Route 37
is a north-south state highway which passes through the center of the Village of Hammond. New York State Route 12
follows the south bank of the St. Lawrence River through the Town and was built in the mid 1960's connecting Interstate 81 west of Alexandria Bay with NY-37 at Morristown, NY.
The community is in the Eastern Standard time zone.
of 2000, there were 1,207 people, 500 households, and 339 families residing in the town. The population density
was 19.4 people per square mile (7.5/km²). There were 1,371 housing units at an average density of 22.0 per square mile (8.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.18% White, 0.50% Black or African American
, 0.66% Native American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
There were 500 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples
living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,313, and the median income for a family was $30,114. Males had a median income of $24,135 versus $20,938 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $14,998. About 15.3% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.
Business and industries included in the townships history have included, [and/or still include], glass factories, asheries, tanniers, restaurants, gas stations, auto repair, 2 post offices, a lumber yard, a bowling alley, a bank, a library, a phone company, cottage rentals, boat/motor/general marine services, barber shops, antiques, saw mills, black smiths, farm store-(AGWAY), general stores, stone quarries, milk processing plants, cheese factories, coal storage cribs/coal sale and delivery etc.
A railroad spur line passed through the western side of the Village of Hammond and was in limited use until the early-mid 1960's. The original railroad depot is still standing in the same spot. Many of the original stone quarries are still identifiable. A stone quarry on Oak Island in Chippewa Bay supplied stone to build Boldt Castle. It even had its own railway to move cut stone to the boats used to transport the stone. A stone quarry that was once located in South Hammond on Route 37 supplied sandstone to make local roads. This quarry at one time employed approximately 600 men. The Town of Hammond Museum, formed by R.T. Elethorp Historical Society, saved an original quarry building from the South Hammond quarry and moved it to the current museum property.
The remnants of where many of the old forgotten business once stood can still be seen today.
The Village of Hammond also has a mason's lodge, a retirement home, several churches and a town museum (previously mentioned).
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in St. Lawrence County
St. Lawrence County, New York
St. Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 111,944. The county seat is Canton. The county is named for the Saint Lawrence River, which in turn was named for the Catholic saint on whose Feast day the river was discovered by...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,207 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from early land owner Abijah Hammond.
The Town of Hammond is in the northwest corner of St. Lawrence County. The Village of Hammond
Hammond (village), New York
Hammond is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 302 at the 2000 census. The village is named after an early landowner....
lies approximately centrally within the town.
History
The Town of Hammond was formed in 1827 when portions of the Town of MorristownMorristown (town), New York
Morristown is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 2,050 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Gouverneur Morris, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and landowner in New York....
and the Town of Rossie
Rossie, New York
Rossie is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 787 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the sister of an early land owner....
were combined. Subsequent small alterations in the town lines affected the neighboring Towns of Rossie, Macomb, and Morristown.
Alexander Macomb bought land in this area and this was known as the Macomb purchase. Later this land was bought by Abijah Hammond, a New York Businessman, he in turned sold 28871 acres (116.8 km²) of land to David Parish. A land office was opened in 1814 in Chippewa Bay, a sub-community of the Town of Hammond today.
By a Act of New York State Legislature they passed that Hammond was officially a town, this happened on March 30, 1827. The town was named after Abijah Hammond. Hammond is older than Chicago and at one point was larger but due to location Hammond lost its population.
The first resident of Hammond was in Chippewa Bay and this was William McNeil. He was originally from Vermont. He lived in a cave which is no longer there, the spot is marked with a nearby plaque provided by the local R.T. Elethorp Historical Society. A statue was carved in his honor and is located in front of the Hammond Museum north of the Village of Hammond on state Route 37. The cave was covered by construction crews when a road was built to the edge of the bay.
Population had increased by 240% by the year 1840. The first school house was built in 1819-1820. the first church in 1821 and the first post office in 1822. The log shanties with thatched roofs were replaced with frame and stone houses, many which stand today. The stone houses built in the early 1800s were built by the first Scottish families immigrating to the Hammond area.
Geography
The Village of Hammond is located at 44°26′56"N 75°41′39"W. The elevation is 358 feet (109.1 m).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 town has a total area of 77.9 square miles (201.8 km²), of which, 62.2 square miles (161.1 km²) of it is land and 15.7 square miles (40.6 km²) of it (20.13%) is water.
The northern town line is the international border of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, defined by the St. Lawrence River. The western town line is the border of Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
.
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37
New York State Route 37 is a state highway in the North Country of New York in the United States, extending for on a west–east axis. The western terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 11 in Watertown, Jefferson County...
is a north-south state highway which passes through the center of the Village of Hammond. New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12
New York State Route 12 is a state highway extending for through central and northern New York in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 11 in the town of Chenango in the Southern Tier. The northern terminus is at NY 37 near the village of...
follows the south bank of the St. Lawrence River through the Town and was built in the mid 1960's connecting Interstate 81 west of Alexandria Bay with NY-37 at Morristown, NY.
The community is in the Eastern Standard time zone.
Education
- Hammond Central School – A single story building, all encompassing, Pre-K through 12th grade public educational facility, located on Main Street in the Village of Hammond.
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 1,207 people, 500 households, and 339 families residing in the town. 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 19.4 people per square mile (7.5/km²). There were 1,371 housing units at an average density of 22.0 per square mile (8.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.18% White, 0.50% Black or African American
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...
, 0.66% Native American, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.25% 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 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.33% of the population.
There were 500 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% 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, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the town the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 5.3% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,313, and the median income for a family was $30,114. Males had a median income of $24,135 versus $20,938 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 town was $14,998. About 15.3% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 19.5% of those age 65 or over.
Work
Within the town, many smaller localized communities have evolved. All had their own businesses/industries. The primary industry of the original Scottish settlers was sheep farming and supporting entities which evolved into today's modern dairy farming. As major roads permeated the area, a secondary travel and vacation industry sprang up which provided extensive vacation/recreational rental properties on both Black Lake and the St Lawrence River.Business and industries included in the townships history have included, [and/or still include], glass factories, asheries, tanniers, restaurants, gas stations, auto repair, 2 post offices, a lumber yard, a bowling alley, a bank, a library, a phone company, cottage rentals, boat/motor/general marine services, barber shops, antiques, saw mills, black smiths, farm store-(AGWAY), general stores, stone quarries, milk processing plants, cheese factories, coal storage cribs/coal sale and delivery etc.
A railroad spur line passed through the western side of the Village of Hammond and was in limited use until the early-mid 1960's. The original railroad depot is still standing in the same spot. Many of the original stone quarries are still identifiable. A stone quarry on Oak Island in Chippewa Bay supplied stone to build Boldt Castle. It even had its own railway to move cut stone to the boats used to transport the stone. A stone quarry that was once located in South Hammond on Route 37 supplied sandstone to make local roads. This quarry at one time employed approximately 600 men. The Town of Hammond Museum, formed by R.T. Elethorp Historical Society, saved an original quarry building from the South Hammond quarry and moved it to the current museum property.
The remnants of where many of the old forgotten business once stood can still be seen today.
The Village of Hammond also has a mason's lodge, a retirement home, several churches and a town museum (previously mentioned).
Hamlets* and notable locations within the Town of Hammond
- Atlantis Island – An island in the St. Lawrence River near Chippawa Bay village.
- Black LakeBlack Lake (New York)Black Lake is a lake in the northern part of New York in the United States and is the largest lake in Saint Lawrence County. The lake is south of the Saint Lawrence River and parallels the river for many miles....
– A small part of the southwest end of the lake is inside the town at its eastern town line. - Big Island – An island in the St. Lawrence River in the town of Hammond.
- Black Bay – A bay on Black Lake near the eastern town line.
- Blind Bay – A small hamlet off NY-12 just NE of Chippewa Point on the St. Lawrence River. The hamlet contains a small bay, a store/marina, several homes and summer cottages.
- Cedar Island – An Island in Chippewa Bay on the St. Lawrence River.
- Cedar Island State ParkCedar Island State ParkCedar Island State Park is located on Cedar Island in the St. Lawrence River, part of the Thousand Islands region. This park is in the Town of Hammond in Saint Lawrence County, New York. The park is only accessible by boat....
– A state parkState parkState parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located on Cedar Island in the St. Lawrence River. - Chippewa Bay – A bayBayA bay is an area of water mostly surrounded by land. Bays generally have calmer waters than the surrounding sea, due to the surrounding land blocking some waves and often reducing winds. Bays also exist as an inlet in a lake or pond. A large bay may be called a gulf, a sea, a sound, or a bight...
of the St. Lawrence River. - Chippewa Bay – A hamlet on the shore of Chippawa Bay, located on NY-12. Chippewa Bay contains many year round residents, summer homes and rental cottages. The Town of Hammond has a town dock/boat launch and parking facility there. A summer store/marina is located there also and is next to the parking area that is reserved for campers using the Cedar Island State Park facilities. One of the 2 post officies in the township is also located there.
- Chippewa Creek – A stream near the NE end of Chippewa Bay adjacent to Little Hammond which drains part of the township into the bay.
- Chippewa Point – A point of land defining the northernmost end of Chippewa Bay. It is defined (technically) as a "Cape" and a "Locale" by the US Geological Society.
- Crooked Creek – A stream near the SW end of Chippewa Bay near Schermerhorn Landing which drains part of the township into the bay.
- Crossover Island – A St. Lawrence River island in the northern part of the town containing the landmark "Crossover Is Lighthouse".
- Dark IslandDark IslandDark Island, a prominent feature of the St. Lawrence Seaway, is located in the lower Thousand Islands region, near Chippewa Bay. A historic landmark here, "The Towers" was long known as Dark Island Castle until recently renamed "Singer Castle". The island itself sits only a few yards south of...
A St. Lawrence River island in the Chippewa Bay area. The castle on the island was once a monastery but is now a hotel and tourist attraction known as Singer Castle originally built in the late 1800s by the founder of the Singer Company. - Eric Corner – A location south of Chippawa Bay, located on County Road 6.
- HammondHammond (village), New YorkHammond is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The population was 302 at the 2000 census. The village is named after an early landowner....
– The Village of Hammond is located in the NE part of the Town of Hammond on NY-37 at its junction with County Road 6. - Hemlock Island – An island in the St. Lawrence River by the NW corner of the town.
- Little Hammond – a small hamlet of mostly summer homes on the NE end of Chippewa Bay adjacent to Chippewa Point and Blind Bay.
- Mink Island – An island located between Oak Island and the mainland near Schermerhorn Landing. A unique community of 13 cottages.
- North Hammond – A hamlet north of the Village of Hammond on County Road 3.
- Oak Island – An islandIslandAn island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the St. Lawerence River near Schermerhorn Landing. - Oak Point – A hamlet on NY-12 along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. The community is located on a land projection into the river which also contains a small bay and several small island. the hamlet contains both permanent residents, summer homes and vacation rentals. The Town of Hammond has a town dock/boat launch facility there.
- Oakvale – A hamlet southeast of South Hammond, south of NY-37.
- Schermerhorn Landing – A hamlet on Chippewa Bay southwest of Chippawa Bay village on NY-12.
- Sister Island Lighthouse – A St Lawrence Seaway lighthouse which is located near Schermerhorn Landing is only visible by water and is upstream from Dark Island.
- South Hammond – A small hamlet of residences is located southwest of the Village of Hammond on NY-37.
- Saint Lawrence Seaway – The St. Lawrence Seaway operated by the US Government, Dept. of the Interior passes through the American side of the St. Lawrence River in the Town of Hammond.
- A "Hamlet" is technically defined as a "Populated Place" by the US Geological Survey.