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Cherry Valley (village), New York facts for kids

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Cherry Valley, New York
Cherry Valley (village), New York is located in New York
Cherry Valley (village), New York
Cherry Valley (village), New York
Location in New York
Country United States
State New York
County Otsego
Town Cherry Valley
Area
 • Total 0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2)
 • Land 0.51 sq mi (1.32 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,345 ft (410 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 467
 • Density 915.69/sq mi (353.82/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
13320, 13450
Area code(s) 607
FIPS code 36-15242
GNIS feature ID 0946532

Cherry Valley is a small village located in Otsego County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 467 people lived there. It's part of the larger town of Cherry Valley. The village is about 13 miles northeast of Cooperstown and near the northern end of Otsego Lake.

History of Cherry Valley Village

Cherry Valley was started in 1740 by John Lindesay. It was first called Lindesay's Bush. Reverend Dunlop later changed the name to Cherry Valley.

The Cherry Valley Massacre

During the American Revolution in 1778, a sad event happened. On November 11, a group of British soldiers and Iroquois warriors attacked the village. They killed 47 local people. This event is known as the Cherry Valley Massacre.

Becoming an Official Village

In 1812, Cherry Valley officially became an incorporated village. This meant it had its own local government, separate from the larger town. The Cherry Valley Village Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. This means many old buildings in the village are protected because of their history.

Geography of Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley is located at 42°48′1″N 74°45′0″W / 42.80028°N 74.75000°W / 42.80028; -74.75000.

Size and Location

The village is quite small. It covers about 0.6 square miles (1.5 square kilometers) of land. There is no water area within the village limits.

It is in the northeastern part of Otsego County. You can find it on New York State Route 166, where it meets County Highways 50 and 54. The Cherry Valley Creek flows south through the village.

People of Cherry Valley

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 930
1880 856 −8.0%
1890 685 −20.0%
1900 772 12.7%
1910 792 2.6%
1920 728 −8.1%
1930 707 −2.9%
1940 704 −0.4%
1950 760 8.0%
1960 668 −12.1%
1970 661 −1.0%
1980 684 3.5%
1990 617 −9.8%
2000 592 −4.1%
2010 520 −12.2%
2020 467 −10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population and Homes

In 2000, there were 592 people living in Cherry Valley. There were 237 households, which are groups of people living together. Most people (98.99%) were White. A small number were Asian or from two or more races.

About 29.5% of households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had 2.50 people. The average family had 3.08 people.

Age Groups

The population was spread out by age:

  • 25.0% were under 18 years old.
  • 7.1% were between 18 and 24.
  • 24.8% were between 25 and 44.
  • 26.4% were between 45 and 64.
  • 16.7% were 65 years or older.

The average age in the village was 41 years.

Income Information

In 2000, the average income for a household in the village was $35,375. For families, it was $41,375. About 13.3% of the people lived below the poverty line. This included 18.5% of those under 18.

Life in Cherry Valley

Cherry Valley is a quiet place, not often visited by many tourists. It's a bit "off the beaten path."

Local Life and Nature

Many people in the area are dairy farmers. In the spring, it's common to see people tapping maple trees. They collect the sap, which is then made into delicious maple syrup. The area still looks a lot like it did in the 1800s.

Sometimes, people hold historical re-enactments. These events help remember the important role Cherry Valley played during the American Revolution.

Annual Events

Every year, the village has a special celebration for Memorial Day. This event includes a Craft Fair, a Bake Sale, a Flea Market, a Chicken BBQ, and a parade.

Nearby Attractions

If you visit Cherry Valley, you can also explore some interesting places nearby:

Famous People and Culture

Cherry Valley has a long history of attracting artists and writers.

Writers and Poets

  • Willa Cather, a famous writer, lived here in 1911. She wrote her book O Pioneers! while in Cherry Valley.
  • Poet Allen Ginsberg bought a farm here in the 1960s. This made the town a popular spot for many "Beat Generation" writers and artists.
  • Other famous writers like William Burroughs and Lawrence Ferlinghetti visited or lived here.
  • Poet Charles Plymell still lives in Cherry Valley. He and his wife ran a publishing company called Cherry Valley Editions from their home.
  • National Book Award nominated novelist Dana Spiotta also lives here.

Actors and Artists

  • Actress and Andy Warhol Superstar Candy Darling is buried in the historic Cherry Valley Cemetery. A movie about her life, Beautiful Darling (2010), was partly filmed here.
  • Photographer Ryan McGinley has done photo shoots in the area.
  • Artist Dash Snow filmed one of his 8mm movies here in 2009.
  • Actress Jill Flint, known for Royal Pains and The Night Shift, was born and grew up in Cherry Valley.
  • Singer and composer Vanessa Bley was also raised in the village.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cherry Valley (villa) para niños

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