Stony Point, New York
Encyclopedia
Stony Point is a triangle
-shaped town in Rockland County
, United States. Rockland County is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The town is located north of the town of Haverstraw
, east and south of Orange County, New York
, and west of the Hudson River
and Westchester County. The population was 14,244 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from a prominent projection into the Hudson River.
The town is in the northeast part of the county. U.S. Route 9W
, US Route 202, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway
are major north-south routes through the town. Stony Point is included in the North Rockland Central School District
.
, the King’s Ferry in Stony Point linked New York and the southern colonies with New England
; it was used many times by George Washington
’s Continental Army
, and in 1781 Washington's French allies used it on their way to the Battle of Yorktown.
The Stony Point Battlefield
, just north of Stony Point, marks the July 16, 1779 Battle of Stony Point
in which General "Mad" Anthony Wayne earned his nickname leading 1,350 Continental Army
troops in a surprise attack against the 544 man British garrison at Stony Point. The Americans were unable to hold the fort for more than a few days. George Washington's letter presenting a medal as an award to Anthony Wayne for his attack was noted as for sale by Sotheby's in a New York Times article on January 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/arts/design/16sothebys.html?ref=arts – for the letter see http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/01/15/arts/soth-1/articleInline.jpg
The economy of the town increased upon the rediscovery of limestone deposits in the 19th century. The town of Stony Point was founded in 1865 from the northern part of the town of Haverstraw
.
, the town has a total area of 31.5 square miles (81.7 km²), of which, 27.8 square miles (72.1 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it (11.76%) is water.
The western town line is the border of Orange County
, New York, and the eastern town line is defined by the Hudson River
with Westchester County
, New York on the opposite shore.
, 0.19% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.66% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.84% of the population.
There were 4,832 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,940, and according to CNN Money the median income for a family was $97,633. Males had a median income of $55,727 versus $36,424 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,244. In comparison, the average salary in 2010 for a full-time Stony Point police officer was $126,895. About 1.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
through Stony Point. The line is now operated by CSX Transportation
, the fourth railroad to operate the line. The only company served by CSX in the town is the Mirant
Lovett Generating Station which receives trainloads of coal about once a week. The power station owns and operates its own railroad to bring the coal from the siding at milepost (MP) 38 into the plant. A talking defect detector
, which scans the axles of passing trains for problems, is located in Stony Point. On average, between 20–25 trains pass through Stony Point per day.CSX runs six container stack trains a day,once a week a Garbage train from the Bronx brings trash up north to burn for power.On a Normal day on the River Line you will see mostly Manifest Freight trains and Tanker.The Auto Rack express also brings Cars to its owner in either New Jersey or Northern New york.CSX trains run either 5–15 mins apart.The longest wait is mostly a hour.Ther is only Two tresles in Stony Point,NY
The Palisades Interstate Parkway
runs through the town, creating some work for the local court from speeders and other traffic matters.
Triangle
A triangle is one of the basic shapes of geometry: a polygon with three corners or vertices and three sides or edges which are line segments. A triangle with vertices A, B, and C is denoted ....
-shaped town in Rockland County
Rockland County, New York
Rockland County is a suburban county 15 miles to the northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, in the U.S. state of New York. It is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county in New York outside of New York City. The...
, United States. Rockland County is part of the New York Metropolitan Area. The town is located north of the town of Haverstraw
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 town runs from the west to the east border of the county in its...
, east and south of Orange County, New York
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
, and west of the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
and Westchester County. The population was 14,244 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from a prominent projection into the Hudson River.
The town is in the northeast part of the county. U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W
U.S. Route 9W is a north–south U.S. Highway in the states of New Jersey and New York. It begins on Fletcher Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey as it crosses the US 1 & 9, US 46, and the Interstate 95 approaches to the George Washington Bridge, where it heads north up the west...
, US Route 202, and the Palisades Interstate Parkway
Palisades Interstate Parkway
The Palisades Interstate Parkway is a long limited-access highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. The parkway is a major commuter route into New York City from Rockland and Orange counties in New York and Bergen County in New Jersey...
are major north-south routes through the town. Stony Point is included in the North Rockland Central School District
North Rockland Central School District
The North Rockland Central School District is a public school district that serves northern Rockland County, New York. It consists of 6,905 students in 10 schools in grades Pre-K–12. The current district superintendent is Ileana Eckert.-Elementary:...
.
History
During the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, the King’s Ferry in Stony Point linked New York and the southern colonies with New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
; it was used many times by George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
’s Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
, and in 1781 Washington's French allies used it on their way to the Battle of Yorktown.
The Stony Point Battlefield
Stony Point Battlefield
Stony Point Battlefield is the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point during the American Revolutionary War. It is a National Historic Landmark.The site was purchased and preserved in the late 1890s, and opened to the public in 1902....
, just north of Stony Point, marks the July 16, 1779 Battle of Stony Point
Battle of Stony Point
The Battle of Stony Point was a battle of the American Revolutionary War fought on the night of July 15–16, 1779. A select force of Continental Army infantry made a coordinated surprise night attack and stormed a fortified position of the British Army on the Hudson River south of West Point, New...
in which General "Mad" Anthony Wayne earned his nickname leading 1,350 Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
troops in a surprise attack against the 544 man British garrison at Stony Point. The Americans were unable to hold the fort for more than a few days. George Washington's letter presenting a medal as an award to Anthony Wayne for his attack was noted as for sale by Sotheby's in a New York Times article on January 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/16/arts/design/16sothebys.html?ref=arts – for the letter see http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/01/15/arts/soth-1/articleInline.jpg
The economy of the town increased upon the rediscovery of limestone deposits in the 19th century. The town of Stony Point was founded in 1865 from the northern part of the town of Haverstraw
Haverstraw, New York
Haverstraw is the name of two locations in Rockland County, New York:*Haverstraw, New York, a town*Haverstraw , New York, a village located entirely within the townIt may also refer to:*West Haverstraw, New York*Haverstraw Bay*Haverstraw Indians...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 31.5 square miles (81.7 km²), of which, 27.8 square miles (72.1 km²) of it is land and 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it (11.76%) is water.
The western town line is the border of Orange County
Orange County, New York
Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located at the northern reaches of the New York metropolitan area. The county sits in the state's scenic Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley...
, New York, and the eastern town line is defined by the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
with Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
, New York on the opposite shore.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,244 people, 4,832 households, and 3,802 families residing in the town. The population density was 511.7 people per square mile (197.5/km²). There were 4,951 housing units at an average density of 177.9 per square mile (68.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 94.33% White, 1.27% Black or African AmericanRace (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...
, 0.19% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.66% 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 6.84% of the population.
There were 4,832 households out of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.2% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.33.
In the town the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $71,940, and according to CNN Money the median income for a family was $97,633. Males had a median income of $55,727 versus $36,424 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,244. In comparison, the average salary in 2010 for a full-time Stony Point police officer was $126,895. About 1.9% of families and 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the Town of Stony Point
- Bear Mountain – A hamlet named after a peak in the Bear Mountain State ParkBear Mountain State ParkBear Mountain State Park is located on the west side of the Hudson River in Orange and Rockland counties of New York. The park offers biking, hiking, boating, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, cross-country running, sledding and ice skating...
. The community is in the northern part of the town. - Bulsontown – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town.
- Cedar Flats – A hamlet northwest of Stony Point hamlet.
- DoodletownDoodletown, New YorkDoodletown was an isolated hamlet in the Town of Stony Point Rockland County, New York, United States. Purchased by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission during the 1960s, it is now part of Bear Mountain State Park and a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, botanists, and local historians...
– A hamlet in the northern corner of the town, in Bear Mountain State Park, abandoned since 1965. - Grassy PointGrassy Point, New YorkGrassy Point was a hamlet in the Town of Stony Point Rockland County, New York, United States located north of West Haverstraw; east of Harriman State Park; south of Stony Point and west of the Hudson River. It is located just north-northwest of New York City....
– A hamlet. - Grassy Point – short peninsula into the Hudson river in the southeast part of the town. It is here that William Denning Sr., a wealthy New York lawyer erected a country home, Rosa Villa Estate, from which he later sold 10 acres (40,468.6 m²) at the south end of the property to another New York lawyer, William SmithWilliam Smith (chief justice)William Smith was a lawyer, historian, speaker, loyalist, and eventually Chief Justice of the Province of New York from 1763 to 1782 and Chief Justice of the Province of Quebec, later Lower Canada, from 1786 until his death...
. William's brother, Doctor Thomas Smith, was the owner of the “treason house” in West Haverstraw, New YorkWest Haverstraw, New YorkWest Haverstraw is a village in the Town of Haverstraw Rockland County, New York, United States located northwest of the Village of Haverstraw; east of Thiells; south of the Hamlet of Stony Point and west of the Hudson River. The population was 10,295 at the 2000 census...
that was occupied by his other brother, Joshua Hett Smith, at the time that Benedict ArnoldBenedict ArnoldBenedict Arnold V was a general during the American Revolutionary War. He began the war in the Continental Army but later defected to the British Army. While a general on the American side, he obtained command of the fort at West Point, New York, and plotted to surrender it to the British forces...
and Major John AndréJohn AndréJohn André was a British army officer hanged as a spy during the American War of Independence. This was due to an incident in which he attempted to assist Benedict Arnold's attempted surrender of the fort at West Point, New York to the British.-Early life:André was born on May 2, 1750 in London to...
planned their conspiracies during the American RevolutionAmerican RevolutionThe American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. - Jones PointJones Point, New YorkJones Point is a hamlet located in the town of Stony Point in Rockland County in the state of New York, United States. Located north of Tomkins Cove; east of Bear Mountain State Park; south of Iona Island; and west of the Hudson River...
– A hamlet by the Hudson River. It is the easternmost community in the town. - Stony PointStony Point (CDP), New YorkStony Point is a hamlet and census-designated place in the Town of Stony Point, Rockland County, New York, USA. Located north of West Haverstraw; east of Harriman State Park; south of Tomkins Cove; and west of the Hudson River...
– The hamlet and CDP of Stony Point is in the eastern part of the town. - Tomkins CoveTomkins Cove, New YorkTomkins Cove is an unincorporated hamlet in the Town of Stony Point Rockland County, New York, United States located north of Stony Point; east of Harriman State Park; south of Doodletown and west of the Hudson River. It is located north-northwest of New York City. The population is approximately...
– A hamlet north of Stony Point hamlet. - Willow Grove – A hamlet on the south town line. Willow Grove includes Jessup Valley, a small community surrounding Jessup Lake, just west of the Palisades Interstate Parkway.
Transportation
The ex-New York Central's River Subdivision follows the west bank of the Hudson RiverHudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
through Stony Point. The line is now operated by CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
, the fourth railroad to operate the line. The only company served by CSX in the town is the Mirant
Mirant
Mirant Corporation, an Atlanta-based energy company, produces and sells electricity in the United States. The company was spun off from its former parent, Southern Company, on April 2, 2001...
Lovett Generating Station which receives trainloads of coal about once a week. The power station owns and operates its own railroad to bring the coal from the siding at milepost (MP) 38 into the plant. A talking defect detector
Defect detector
A defect detector is a device used on railroads to detect axle and signal problems in passing trains. The detectors are normally integrated into the tracks and often include sensors to detect several different kinds of problems that could occur...
, which scans the axles of passing trains for problems, is located in Stony Point. On average, between 20–25 trains pass through Stony Point per day.CSX runs six container stack trains a day,once a week a Garbage train from the Bronx brings trash up north to burn for power.On a Normal day on the River Line you will see mostly Manifest Freight trains and Tanker.The Auto Rack express also brings Cars to its owner in either New Jersey or Northern New york.CSX trains run either 5–15 mins apart.The longest wait is mostly a hour.Ther is only Two tresles in Stony Point,NY
The Palisades Interstate Parkway
Palisades Interstate Parkway
The Palisades Interstate Parkway is a long limited-access highway in the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. The parkway is a major commuter route into New York City from Rockland and Orange counties in New York and Bergen County in New Jersey...
runs through the town, creating some work for the local court from speeders and other traffic matters.
Historical Markers
- BuckbergBuckbergBuckberg Mountain is a hill above the Hudson River that played a role in Revolutionary War strategy concerning the Hudson Highlands. Its slopes rise directly from the riverbank to an elevation of about above Tomkins Cove, a section of Stony Point, New York, in Rockland County...
Mountain,112 Buckberg Mountain Road - King’s Ferry, Route 9W & Park Road – Stony Point, site just north of Stony Point Battlefield – An important river crossing for American troops and supplies during the Revolution. and link between New England and the states to the south,- thus. the importance of capturing Stony Point from the British in 1779.
- Site of Springsteel Farm House 1779, 16A Franck Road
- Washington Wayne Lookout
- Wilson H. Young Memorial Bridge, East Main Street
- Site of Springsteel Farm House 1779, 16A Franck Road
- Stony Point Battlefield, Route 9W & Park Road
- The First Road,117 W. Main Street
Landmarks and places of Interest
- Gilmor Sloane House – 17 Crickettown Rd., Stony Point, NY 10980 • 786-5674 An 1856 Victorian mansion with no televisions or telephones. An 1888 Barn Playhouse (Penguin RepPenguin RepPenguin Rep is a nonprofit theater company in Stony Point, New York, now in its 32nd season. Penguin Rep, dubbed "the gutsiest little theatre" by the New York Times, was founded by Joe Brancato, artistic director, with the aim of adding a new kind of theatre to the local cultural landscape: a...
ertory) on grounds. - Harriman State Park – A large state park partly in the western part of the town.
- Iona Island and MarshIona Island, New YorkIona Island is a 556-acre bedrock island, part of the Hudson River nature reserve in Stony Point, New York. It is part of Bear Mountain State Park The island is separated from the Hudson's western shore by mudflats and freshwater tidal marshes...
– Between Jones Point & Bear Mountain. It was previously called Weyants Island. - Stony Point BattlefieldStony Point BattlefieldStony Point Battlefield is the location of the 1779 Battle of Stony Point during the American Revolutionary War. It is a National Historic Landmark.The site was purchased and preserved in the late 1890s, and opened to the public in 1902....
– A State historic site, off Route 9W, Stony Point – Occupied by the British in 1779. (NRHP) - Penguin RepPenguin RepPenguin Rep is a nonprofit theater company in Stony Point, New York, now in its 32nd season. Penguin Rep, dubbed "the gutsiest little theatre" by the New York Times, was founded by Joe Brancato, artistic director, with the aim of adding a new kind of theatre to the local cultural landscape: a...
Theatre – A professional theatre company based in Stony Point, NY. - Stony Point LighthouseStony Point LighthouseFor the lighthouse on Lake Ontario, see Stony Point Light.The Stony Point Light is the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. It is located at the Stony Point Battlefield in Stony Point, New York....
– Built in 1828 to guide ships through the narrow part of the Hudson River. (NRHP) - William H. Rose HouseWilliam H. Rose HouseThe William H. Rose House is located on Tomkins Avenue in Stony Point, New York, United States. It is an ornate Carpenter Gothic-style house from the mid-19th century, with similar outbuildings, built for a wealthy local businessman....
(NRHP) - Patriot Hills Golf Club (Stony Point) – Ranked 20th Best Public Golf Courses in New York 2010 by Golf MagazineGolf MagazineGolf Magazine is a monthly golf magazine owned by Time Inc.. It was started in 1960 by Universal Publishing and Distributing, who sold it to Times Mirror in 1972. Time Inc. acquired it in 2000. It was the world's most widely read golf publication from August 2006 to January 2007. The magazine is...
Famous inhabitants
- James A. Farley (1888–1976)
- Mitch MillerMitch MillerMitchell William "Mitch" Miller was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive...
(1911–2010) – Owns a house in Stony Point. Now inhabited by his daughter. - John CageJohn CageJohn Milton Cage Jr. was an American composer, music theorist, writer, philosopher and artist. A pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music, and non-standard use of musical instruments, Cage was one of the leading figures of the post-war avant-garde...
(1912–1992) – Composer lived in Stony Point during the 1950s and 60s. - John Barrows (1913–1974) – French horn player with the New York City Opera and Ballet, lived in Stony Point in the 1950s.
- Stephanie CourtneyStephanie CourtneyStephanie Courtney is an American actress and comedienne, best known for playing the advertising character Flo in television commercials for Progressive Insurance and is noted for her recurring roles on several television shows, including the voices of Renee the Receptionist and Joy Peters on the...
(1970–) – Actress and comedienne who was born in Stony Point. - Richard HumannRichard HumannRichard Humann is a contemporary conceptual American artist who was born and raised in Stony Point, New York. He is a graduate of the art school at Harriman College in New York. He lives and works in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Woodstock, New York. He is married to the contemporary vocalist Susan...
(1961–) – Conceptual Artist. Born and raised in Stony Point until age 18. - Jasper JohnsJasper JohnsJasper Johns, Jr. is an American contemporary artist who works primarily in painting and printmaking.-Life:Born in Augusta, Georgia, Jasper Johns spent his early life in Allendale, South Carolina with his paternal grandparents after his parents' marriage failed...
(1930–) – Lived in Stony Point during the 1980s and 1990s. - Roy PeaRoy PeaRoy Pea is David Jacks Professor of Learning Sciences and Education at the Stanford University School of Education. He has extensively published works in the field of the Learning Sciences and on learning technology design, and made significant contributions since 1981 to the understanding of how...
(1952–) – Learning scientist, technology innovator, and Stanford University Professor. Lived in Stony Point at 8 Reservoir Road from 1982–1987 in this first house, developing extensive perennial gardens, planting over 60 trees, recovering limey bricks from the Hudson to match the brickwork for the fireplace created with Sicilian Masonry expert Vito Morgese, and renovating the 1790s primitive home to its original glories with exposed local walnut mortise & peg construction and chestnut beams. - Stan VanderbeekStan VanderbeekStan Vanderbeek was an American experimental filmmaker.- Life :VanDerBeek studied art and architecture first at Cooper Union College in New York and then at Black Mountain College in North Carolina, where he met architect Buckminster Fuller, composer John Cage, and choreographer Merce Cunningham...
(1927–1984) – Independent Art Filmmaker. Built his Movie Drome theater in Stony Point.