Bergen, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bergen, New York
Northwoods
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Gas station in Bergen
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Location in Genesee County and the state of New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Genesee |
| Settled | 1801 |
| Named for | Bergen, Norway |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 27.60 sq mi (71.47 km2) |
| • Land | 27.56 sq mi (71.38 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 3,120 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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2,999 |
| • Density | 108.82/sq mi (42.02/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-037-06057 |
Bergen is a town in Genesee County, New York, United States. It is located in the northeastern part of the county. In 2010, about 3,120 people lived there. Inside the town of Bergen, there is also a smaller area called the village of Bergen.
Contents
History of Bergen
Bergen is one of the medium-sized towns in Genesee County. It was once part of a large land area known as the Morris Reserve. The community was named after a city in Norway.
Early Settlement and Growth
The Bergen area first opened up in 1801. A road was built through a thick forest called "Northwoods." This road connected LeRoy to Lake Ontario. Because of this forest, Bergen was first known as "Northwoods."
The first settler in Bergen was Samuel Lincoln in 1801. Other families, like the Letsons and Wordens, also settled there that same year. Between 1805 and 1810, about 60 families from Connecticut moved to the area. They settled along what is now Route 19.
The first store in Bergen opened about a mile south of Route 33 on Route 19. The first group of stores was at an area called "Buell's Corner." This spot was later known as "Bergen Corners" or "High Bergen."
The first church group was formed in December 1807. The Congregational church officially started in January 1808. Harry Kelsey, a graduate of Yale College, taught the first school. The first wooden house was built by Dr. Levi Ward, who was also the first doctor. Dr. Ward also opened the first store in 1808. The first inn for travelers opened in 1809.
Town Formation and Railroad Era
Bergen became an official town on April 2, 1813. It was created from a larger town called Murray. The town of Byron was also part of Bergen until 1820.
In 1836, a railroad came through Bergen. A new area was planned around the railroad tracks and Lake Road (Route 19). This area was named "Wardville" after the Levi Ward family. It was also called "Cork" because many Irish people settled there after helping build the railroad. People also called it "Lower Bergen." Soon, homes and churches connected Wardville with the older Bergen Corners.
Fires and Rebuilding
In 1866, a fire destroyed the business area near the railroad tracks. This area, along with the surrounding homes, officially became the village of Bergen on March 5, 1877. The village is located near the middle of the eastern border of the town.
Another fire destroyed the business area around the railroad tracks in 1880. After this, the village leaders decided that all new buildings in that area had to be made of brick, stone, or wrought iron. This rule helped make the buildings stronger against fires.
Today, the west side of the business district is on the National Register of Historic Places. This is because of its old wrought-iron store fronts and special windows from the 1880s. The Ward family, who helped build this area, also became important developers in the nearby city of Rochester.
Later fires in 1906 and 1932 caused some damage, but the stronger buildings and better firefighting equipment helped.
Bergen Swamp
About 125,000 years ago, when the last ice age ended, glaciers left behind a special place in Bergen. This place is now known as the Bergen Swamp. It is a 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) area of forested wetlands. This three-mile (5 km) long wildlife area is home to many unusual birds, reptiles, and rare flowers. They all live in this undisturbed natural environment.
Geography of Bergen
Bergen covers about 27.6 square miles (71.6 km2) of land. There is only a very small amount of water, about 0.04%.
Bergen Swamp Wildlife
The Bergen Swamp is a unique natural area. It was formed by glaciers long ago and is now a wildlife preserve. It is home to many different kinds of plants and animals. One special animal found there is the Eastern Massasauga, a small and endangered rattlesnake.
Location and Roads
The eastern border of Bergen is also the border of Monroe County. The northern border touches both Monroe County and Orleans County.
Interstate 490, a major highway, goes through the southeastern part of the town.
Population in Bergen
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,438 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,508 | −38.1% | |
| 1840 | 1,832 | 21.5% | |
| 1850 | 1,897 | 3.5% | |
| 1860 | 2,008 | 5.9% | |
| 1870 | 1,997 | −0.5% | |
| 1880 | 2,002 | 0.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,830 | −8.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,699 | −7.2% | |
| 1910 | 1,631 | −4.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,497 | −8.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,512 | 1.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,412 | −6.6% | |
| 1950 | 1,588 | 12.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,996 | 25.7% | |
| 1970 | 2,281 | 14.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,568 | 12.6% | |
| 1990 | 2,794 | 8.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,182 | 13.9% | |
| 2010 | 3,120 | −1.9% | |
| 2016 (est.) | 2,999 | −3.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 3,182 people living in Bergen. There were 1,196 households, which are groups of people living together. About 857 of these were families. The town had about 115 people per square mile.
About 34.2% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (61.8%) were married couples. About 21.8% of households were single individuals.
The average age of people in Bergen was 37 years old. About 26.6% of the population was under 18. About 11.8% of the people were 65 years or older.
The average yearly income for a household in Bergen was $49,412. For families, the average income was $54,012.
Famous People from Bergen
- Galusha Anderson, a religious scholar
- Bucky Freeman, a former football and baseball coach
- William Henry Munger, a former US federal judge
- Lewis S. Payne, a former New York state senator
- Billy Sands, an actor
Communities and Locations in Bergen
- Bergen – This is a village located in the eastern part of the town, along Route 19.
- East Bergen – A small community in the northeast corner of the town, also on Route 19.
- Jerico Corners – A place where Jerico Road and Swamp Road meet.
- Little Boston
- North Bergen – A community in the northwest corner of the town.
- Sheepskin Corners
- Stone Church – A community south of Bergen village, on Route 19.
- West Bergen – A community near the western border of the town.
- West Sweden
See also
In Spanish: Bergen (Nueva York) para niños
