Brownville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brownville, New York
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 Brownville, New York
Location in New York
Brownville, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Jefferson |
| Area | |
| • Total | 65.85 sq mi (170.55 km2) |
| • Land | 58.92 sq mi (152.61 km2) |
| • Water | 6.93 sq mi (17.94 km2) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 6,263 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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6,214 |
| • Density | 105.46/sq mi (40.72/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13615
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| Area code(s) | 315 |
| FIPS code | 36-045-10242 |
Brownville is a small town in Jefferson County, New York, United States. In 2010, about 6,263 people lived there. The town is named after Jacob Brown, who was an important early settler and leader.
Brownville is located in the western part of Jefferson County. It is northwest of the city of Watertown. Inside the town of Brownville, there is also a smaller place called Brownville village.
Contents
History of Brownville
The Oneida people were the first people to live in this area.
Early Settlers and Founding
The town of Brownville was settled around 1799. It was one of the first towns created in Jefferson County. The town got its name from its founder, Jacob Brown. He was a major-general in the United States Army. He is known as a hero from the War of 1812.
The town of Brownville was officially formed in 1802. At that time, it was part of Herkimer County.
Town Growth and Changes
Over time, parts of Brownville were used to create other towns. These new towns included Le Ray (in 1806), Lyme (in 1818), Pamelia (in 1819), Orleans (in 1821), and Alexandria (in 1821).
In 1828, the community of Brownville became its own separate village. This means it had its own local government. Later, in 1855, the community of Dexter also became a separate village within the town.
Historic Buildings in Brownville
Several old buildings in Brownville are very important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:
- The William Archer House
- The Gen. Jacob Brown Mansion
- The Brownville Hotel
- St. Paul's Church
- The Vogt House
- The Arthur Walrath House
Famous People from Brownville
Rollins A. Emerson (1873–1947), a famous scientist who studied genetics, was born in Pillar Point, Brownville.
Geography of Brownville
Brownville covers a total area of about 65.85 square miles (170.55 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, but about 6.93 square miles (17.94 square kilometers) is water.
Water Features
The western edge of Brownville touches Lake Ontario. Guffin Bay, which is part of Lake Ontario, is also on the western side. The Black River forms the southern border of the town. This river flows into Lake Ontario at Black River Bay. The Perch River also flows through the town. It starts in the northeast and goes towards Lake Ontario.
Roads and Highways
- New York State Route 12E is a main road that runs east to west.
- New York State Route 180 runs north to south and crosses NY-12E at a place called Limerick.
- New York State Route 12 also passes through the northeastern part of the town.
Population and People
The population of Brownville has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 3,990 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,938 | −26.4% | |
| 1840 | 3,968 | 35.1% | |
| 1850 | 4,282 | 7.9% | |
| 1860 | 3,966 | −7.4% | |
| 1870 | 3,219 | −18.8% | |
| 1880 | 2,624 | −18.5% | |
| 1890 | 3,110 | 18.5% | |
| 1900 | 3,693 | 18.7% | |
| 1910 | 3,615 | −2.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,856 | 6.7% | |
| 1930 | 3,489 | −9.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,671 | 5.2% | |
| 1950 | 3,806 | 3.7% | |
| 1960 | 3,985 | 4.7% | |
| 1970 | 4,321 | 8.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,113 | 18.3% | |
| 1990 | 5,604 | 9.6% | |
| 2000 | 5,839 | 4.2% | |
| 2010 | 6,263 | 7.3% | |
| 2016 (est.) | 6,214 | −0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 5,843 people living in Brownville. About 37.3% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in the town was 38 years old.
Communities and Places in Brownville
The town of Brownville includes several smaller communities and interesting locations:
- Adams Cove – A small community on the north side of the Pillar Point peninsula.
- Brownville – A village located in the southern part of the town, along the Black River.
- Bull Rock Point – A piece of land that sticks out into Lake Ontario at the end of Pillar Point.
- Dexter – A village in the southern part of the town, west of Brownville village. It used to be called "Fish Island."
- Everleigh Point – Another piece of land that extends into Lake Ontario from Pillar Point.
- Glen Park – A village mostly within Brownville, on its southern border.
- Guffin Bay – A bay that is part of Lake Ontario, located in the northwestern part of Brownville.
- Limerick – A community where Route NY-12E and Route NY-180 meet, near the Perch River.
- Natural Bridge – A place along the Perch River, southwest of Limerick.
- Perch Lake – A lake found in the northeastern corner of Brownville.
- Perch River – A community on NY-180 in the northern part of the town, near the river of the same name. It was once known as "Moffatsville."
- Perch River State Wildlife Area – A protected natural area near Perch Lake, great for wildlife.
- Pillar Point – A large piece of land that sticks out into Lake Ontario in the western part of the town.
- Pillar Point Village – A community on the southern coast of the Pillar Point peninsula.
- Reynolds Corner – A location near the northern border of the town.
