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Adams, New York
Adams Commercial Historic District
Adams Commercial Historic District
Adams, New York is located in New York
Adams, New York
Adams, New York
Location in New York
Adams, New York is located in the United States
Adams, New York
Adams, New York
Location in the United States
Country United States
State New York
County Jefferson
Incorporated 1802
Area
 • Total 42.38 sq mi (109.77 km2)
 • Land 42.23 sq mi (109.38 km2)
 • Water 0.15 sq mi (0.40 km2)
Elevation
619 ft (189 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,973
 • Density 120.62/sq mi (46.57/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
13605, 13606
Area code(s) 315
FIPS code 36-045-00210

Adams is a town located in Jefferson County, New York, in the United States. A "town" in New York is like a large area that includes smaller villages and hamlets. This town was named after President John Adams.

In 2020, about 4,973 people lived in the town of Adams. There's also a village called Adams located within this larger town. Both the town and the village are situated south of the city of Watertown.

History of Adams

Early Settlement and Naming

People started settling in the area that is now Adams around the year 1800. In 1801, a man named David Smith built a sawmill, which was a place to cut wood, at the spot where Adams village is today.

The town was officially created in 1802. It was named after John Adams, who had just finished being president. The town was formed from two older survey areas called Aleppo and Orpheus.

Changes and Important Events

In 1804, the eastern part of Adams was separated to create a new town called Rodman. During the War of 1812, the people of Adams formed their own local group to protect their homes and community.

An important historical site in the town is the Talcott Falls Site. This site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, recognizing its historical importance.

Geography of Adams

Location and Size

The town of Adams covers an area of about 109.9 square kilometers (about 42.4 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part, about 0.4 square kilometers (0.15 square miles), being water.

Roads and Waterways

A major highway, Interstate 81, runs right through the middle of Adams. This highway has three exits within the town, making it easy to get around. Other important roads include U.S. Route 11, which also goes north and south, and New York State Route 177 and New York State Route 178.

Adams is located to the west of the Tug Hill Plateau, which is an elevated area. Two creeks flow through the town: Sandy Creek runs through the southern part, and Stony Creek flows through the northern part. Both of these creeks eventually flow into Lake Ontario.

Population Changes in Adams

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,467
1830 2,995 21.4%
1840 2,966 −1.0%
1850 3,106 4.7%
1860 3,496 12.6%
1870 3,348 −4.2%
1880 3,302 −1.4%
1890 3,181 −3.7%
1900 3,081 −3.1%
1910 3,128 1.5%
1920 3,194 2.1%
1930 3,284 2.8%
1940 3,334 1.5%
1950 3,629 8.8%
1960 3,964 9.2%
1970 4,381 10.5%
1980 4,390 0.2%
1990 4,977 13.4%
2000 4,782 −3.9%
2010 5,143 7.5%
2020 4,973 −3.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

The population of Adams has changed over many years. In 1820, there were about 2,467 people living here. By 2020, the population had grown to 4,973 people. This shows how the town has developed and changed over time.

Communities and Locations in Adams

The town of Adams includes several smaller communities and specific locations:

  • Adams – This is the main village within the town. It's located near the southern border of the town.
  • Adams Center – This is a small community, or hamlet, located north of Adams village.
  • Butterville – You can find this spot at the western edge of the town.
  • Green Settlement – Another hamlet located west of Adams Center.
  • Honeyville – This location is east of Adams Center.
  • Lyon Corners – Found near the western town line.
  • North Adams – A hamlet located near the northern border of the town.
  • Sanford Corners – This location is in the northwestern part of the town.
  • Smithville – A hamlet situated on the western town line.
  • Talcott Corners – Located in the northeastern part of the town.
  • Thomas Settlement – A hamlet in the southwestern part of the town.

Notable People from Adams

Many interesting people have connections to Adams:

  • Emma Whitcomb Babcock (1849–1926) – A writer and literary person.
  • William E. Blackstone (1841–1935) – An important Christian leader and supporter of Zionism.
  • Alvan E. Bovay – He helped start the Republican Party in the United States.
  • Charles Grandison Finney (1792–1875) – A very well-known evangelist, meaning he traveled and preached about Christianity.
  • Mary Ninde Gamewell (1858-1947) – An American missionary who worked in China and was also a writer.
  • Henry Keep (1818–1869) – Born in Adams, he became a famous financier and led several railroad companies. He left a large fortune.
  • J. Sterling Morton (1832–1902) – He is known as the "father of Arbor Day," a day dedicated to planting trees.
  • Henry Benjamin Whipple (1822–1901) – He was the first Episcopal bishop of Minnesota.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Adams (Nueva York) para niños

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