Ashland, Greene County, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashland, Greene County,
New York |
|
|---|---|
Location in Greene County and the state of New York.
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Greene |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 24.63 sq mi (63.78 km2) |
| • Land | 24.63 sq mi (63.78 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,932 ft (589 m) |
| Population
(2020)
|
|
| • Total | 682 |
| • Density | 27.690/sq mi (10.693/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12407
|
| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-02803 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978692 |
Ashland is a small town located in Greene County, New York, in the United States. It's found in the northwestern part of Greene County.
In 2020, about 682 people lived in Ashland. This number was a bit lower than in 2010, when 784 people lived there.
Contents
The Story of Ashland: A Look at its History
Ashland has an interesting past! Early settlements in the area were actually left empty during the American Revolution, which was a big war for independence. But people moved back and settled the town again in 1788.
The town of Ashland was officially created in 1848. It was formed from parts of two other towns: Windham and Prattsville.
How Ashland Got Its Name
Before it became its own town, this area was part of Windham. It was known as "Scienceville." This name came about because some families living there were thought to be very educated.
When Scienceville became a separate community in 1848, it was renamed Ashland. This new name honored the estate of Henry Clay, a famous American statesman.
Early Industries and Challenges
Ashland used to have many hemlock trees. The bark from these trees was very important for a special industry called tanning. Tanning is the process of turning animal hides into leather. Hemlock bark was great for this because it contained something called tannic acid.
However, Ashland faced a tough time in the early 1850s. The tanning industry collapsed because they had used up most of the hemlock bark. Around the same time, local factories that made cotton and wool fabrics (called textile mills) also struggled. They were located far from major transport routes, making it expensive to move their goods.
In 1890, the town's population was 560 people. A local YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) opened in 1895, but it closed a few years later in 1901.
Ashland's Location and Natural Features
Ashland covers an area of about 26 square miles (63.78 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water.
The town is located right at the northern edge of the beautiful Catskill Park. This park is a large protected area known for its mountains and forests. The northern border of Ashland is also the border of Schoharie County.
Population Changes Over Time
The number of people living in Ashland has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at the population from different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 1,290 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,212 | −6.0% | |
| 1870 | 992 | −18.2% | |
| 1880 | 899 | −9.4% | |
| 1890 | 787 | −12.5% | |
| 1900 | 692 | −12.1% | |
| 1910 | 640 | −7.5% | |
| 1920 | 560 | −12.5% | |
| 1930 | 482 | −13.9% | |
| 1940 | 566 | 17.4% | |
| 1950 | 542 | −4.2% | |
| 1960 | 548 | 1.1% | |
| 1970 | 397 | −27.6% | |
| 1980 | 744 | 87.4% | |
| 1990 | 803 | 7.9% | |
| 2000 | 752 | −6.4% | |
| 2010 | 784 | 4.3% | |
| 2020 | 682 | −13.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 | |||
In 2000, there were 752 people living in Ashland. The average age of people in the town was 42 years old.
Communities and Important Places in Ashland
Ashland has several smaller communities and notable spots within its borders:
- Ashland – This is the main hamlet (a small community) of Ashland. It's in the southern part of the town, right on Route 23. It sits at the edge of the Catskill Park and at the town's southern border. Remember, it was once called "Scienceville."
- Batavia Kill – This is a stream that flows towards the west and passes through the Ashland village area.
- Four Corners – A small community located on the western border of the town.
- North Settlement – This community is northeast of the main Ashland village. You can find it on Route 10, near the eastern border of the town.
- West Settlement – Another community located northwest of Ashland village, also found on Route 10.
See also
In Spanish: Ashland (condado de Greene, Nueva York) para niños
