Breesport, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Breesport, New York
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 Breesport, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Chemung County |
| Town | Horseheads |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.64 sq mi (4.25 km2) |
| • Land | 1.63 sq mi (4.22 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,099 ft (335 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 629 |
| • Density | 386.13/sq mi (149.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14816
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| Area code | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-08004 |
| GNIS feature ID | 944682 |
Breesport is a small community in Chemung County, New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet and a census-designated place, which means it's a small settlement without its own local government. Breesport is located within the larger town of Horseheads. In 2020, about 629 people lived here.
Contents
Exploring Breesport's Location
Breesport is found on the eastern side of the town of Horseheads. Its exact location is 42°10′24″N 076°44′02″W / 42.17333°N 76.73389°W. The land here is about 1,099 feet (335 meters) above sea level. The eastern edge of Breesport marks the border between Horseheads and the town of Erin.
Roads and Travel in Breesport
New York State Route 223 is a main road that goes right through the middle of Breesport. If you travel west on Route 223 for about 3 miles (5 km), you'll reach NY-13 near the village of Horseheads. Going east for about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) will take you to Erin.
How Big is Breesport?
The United States Census Bureau says that Breesport covers a total area of about 1.64 square miles (4.25 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 1.63 square miles (4.22 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.01 square miles (0.03 square kilometers), is water.
Breesport's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 629 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Breesport has changed over the years. This table shows how many people lived in Breesport during different census years. In 2020, the population was 629 people.
A Look Back at Breesport's History
Breesport started with just two log cabins around 1816. Early settlers came from places like Orange County, Connecticut and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. These families helped build the first community.
Early Settlers and First Businesses
The Heller family, who arrived around 1828, built the first sawmill in 1830. Other important early settlers included Silas Breese and his family. In 1854, Azariah Breese surveyed the land for village plots. Soon after, the Rodbourn House, a hotel, opened in 1855. Ulysses and William R. Breese, who were Azariah's nephews, opened the first store across from the hotel that same year.
Breesport's Growing Industries
The late 1800s were a time of big growth for Breesport, thanks to families like the Rodbourns.
- Lumber and Grist Mills: Joseph Rodbourn built the first steam-powered lumber mill in 1857. It produced a lot of lumber each year until it burned down in 1898. He also built the first grist mill in 1860, which grinds grain.
- Railroad Connections: Rodbourn also helped fund the UI&E railroad (Utica, Ithaca, and Elmira Railroad) with Ezra Cornell. For a while, Breesport even had a railroad car repair shop, but it was destroyed by fire in 1883.
- Brick and Tanning: Adam Kinley was another important business leader. He helped start several brickyards along Newton Creek. He also bought the Breesport tannery in 1890, which processed animal hides. The tannery faced two big fires in 1911, which caused many people to lose their jobs.
- Other Mills: In the early 1900s, there were other grist mills, like the Hull-less Oatmeal Co., which ground buckwheat. Otis Kinley, Adam Kinley's grandson, owned a feed mill that was rebuilt after a fire in 1922 but later closed when the railroad stopped running through Breesport.
Shops and Places to Stay
Breesport once had several stores and hotels. The Harding Brothers store, established in 1870, was a general store that sold many different things. It was rebuilt after a fire. There were also two hotels: the Rodbourn House and the Batterson House, which changed owners and names several times.
Breesport Today
Today, you won't see much evidence of the many busy industries that once thrived in Breesport. In its early days, Breesport had creameries, blacksmiths, brickyards, a wool mill, repair shops, shoe shops, a drug store, and even a cheese box factory. By the 1950s, only a few businesses remained, like a post office, a garage, a dry cleaning place, two churches, and two general stores.
The Importance of the Railroad
The railroad was very important for Breesport's economy and social life from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. It connected residents to nearby towns like Ithaca and Elmira. The EC&N Railroad linked Erin, Van Etten, and Breesport.
Railroad Operations and Changes
The Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad (UI&E Railroad) started running in 1872. Two years later, in 1874, the UI&E Railroad built several shops in Breesport. These shops later moved to Cortland after a fire in 1883. The Elmira, Cortland and Northern Railroad was formed in 1884 from the UI&E Railroad and others. In 1896, this railroad became part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad.
The first passenger train ran through Breesport in 1872. The very last train passed through on June 24, 1938. After that, trains used a different route. Soon, the tracks in Breesport were taken apart.
The Breese Family Legacy
Breesport was named after the Breese family. Brothers Ulysses and William Breese are known for helping to create the village in the 1800s. They were related to John Breese, one of the first settlers in Horseheads. Their father, Silas Breese, was also an early settler in the Breesport area. Ulysses Breese also started the first post office in Breesport on November 19, 1853. Moses P. Breese was the first person to serve as the postmaster.
See also
In Spanish: Breesport para niños
