Barryville, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Barryville, New York
Hamlet and CDP
Hamlet of Barryville
NY 97 leading into Barryville
Country	United States
State	New York
ZIP code	12719
Area code(s)	Area Code 845

Barryville is a small community, called a hamlet, in Sullivan County, New York, United States. It's part of the larger area known as Highland.

This place was once known as "The River." It was later renamed after William T. Barry. He was an important person who led the mail service for the entire country under President Andrew Jackson.

History of Barryville

Barryville is located in the Town of Highland. This town was officially created in 1853. Before that, it was part of a bigger area called Lumberland. People decided to split Lumberland into three towns. This was because it was too far for everyone to travel to town meetings. The name "Highland" comes from the tall ridges above the Delaware River.

Early Settlers and the Revolutionary War

The first people to live here were the Lenape Native Americans. Later, trappers and hunters came to the area. They were drawn by the many streams, lakes, and thick forests. There was also a lot of wild game.

A big battle of the American Revolutionary War happened nearby. On July 22, 1779, a group of colonial soldiers from Goshen fought against Native Americans and loyalists. Loyalists were people who supported the British during the war. The colonial soldiers lost badly in this battle. After the war, more people started to settle in Highland. The first post office in the area opened around 1814.

Growth with the D&H Canal

Life in Barryville really changed with the building of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This canal was built in 1828. Soon after, a blacksmith shop, a mill, and a broom handle factory opened. A glass factory also started making molded glass.

The town grew because of the canal. It became a big place for canal workers to get supplies and do repairs. From 1827 to 1898, the D&H Canal was very busy. It carried coal from the mountains of Pennsylvania all the way to New York City.

The Erie Railroad and Tourism

Later, the Erie Railroad was built. This helped other communities like Yulan and Highland Lake grow. By the early 1900s, the main business in town was taking care of summer visitors. These visitors would travel to Highland by train.

When the Erie Railroad stopped carrying passengers, cars became the main way to travel. Highland slowly became a place where people bought second homes. Many people bought houses for weekend trips or summer vacations. Today, many people live in Highland full-time. They travel to the New York City area for work.

Important Historical Places

Many people living in Barryville today are related to the first settlers. The town has many interesting historical buildings and places. Some of the most important ones are:

• Locks No. 68, No. 69, and No. 70 of the D&H Canal
• The Toll House
• The Roebling Aqueduct
• The Barryville Town Hall
• The Barryville Congregational Church
• Montoza Cemetery

The D&H Canal Locks

The D&H Canal once had 108 locks. Locks No. 68, 69, and 70 are three of them. Locks are like water elevators that help boats move up or down hills. The canal was used to move coal by barges from Pennsylvania to New York City. It was used from 1828 until 1898. Locks No. 68 and No. 70 are still in good condition. Lock No. 69 was filled in, but it is believed to be mostly still there.

The Toll House and Roebling Aqueduct

The Toll House was built around 1900-1905. It stands on the New York side of the Roebling Bridge. After the D&H Canal closed, this small building was used to collect tolls for the bridge.

The Roebling Aqueduct is thought to be the oldest suspension bridge in America. It was built by John Roebling, who also designed the famous Brooklyn Bridge. This bridge carried the D&H Canal across the river. After being used as an aqueduct for 50 years, it became a highway bridge in 1898. The bridge has four sections. The widest part was made so that large logging rafts could pass through. This bridge is a very important historical landmark. The National Park Service bought and fixed it up several years ago.

Barryville Town Hall

The Barryville Town Hall used to be a schoolhouse. It was built in the mid-1800s in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Greek buildings. It was used as a school from 1867 to 1960. The town is working to get money to fix its outside walls and foundation. The building is now used for court purposes. It has also been made easy for people with disabilities to access.

Barryville Congregational Church

The first church in Barryville was started in 1799. But the first church building wasn't built until 1835. This building burned down in 1877. The church building you see today was built in 1903. It is no longer used for religious services. However, its owner has found new ways to use it while keeping its historical look.

Behind the church is a cemetery. Several Confederate soldiers are buried there. They died in 1864 when a train carrying prisoners of war crashed. The train was taking 833 prisoners to a prison in Elmira, New York. Many guards and soldiers were killed in the accident. Some were buried along the tracks, and others were laid to rest in this church cemetery.

Montoza Cemetery

The Montoza Cemetery is located north of Barryville. It was started by John W. Johnson, a lawyer from Barryville. He also wrote a book called "Reminiscences." This book shares important memories of the early history of the area. Stones in the cemetery date back to 1861. Even older stones can be found in the old Eldred Cemetery.

Other important historical places in the area include the Eldred Congregational Church, St. Anthony's Cemetery, and the Minisink Battleground and Monument.

Camp Tel Yehudah

Barryville is home to Camp Tel Yehudah. This is a summer camp run by Young Judaea. Campers come from all over the United States. Some also come from other countries like Israel and the United Kingdom.

Fun Facts

• The part of the Delaware River between Narrowsburg and Barryville is a great place for smallmouth bass fishing.
• Spring House is a historic building in Barryville. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.

Images for kids

• Delaware and Hudson Canal on the Delaware River in Barryville, NY..jpg

  The D&H Canal helped Barryville grow.

• Erie Railroad.jpg

  The Erie Railroad brought summer visitors to the area.

See also

In Spanish: Barryville para niños