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Cobleskill, New York facts for kids

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Cobleskill
Location in Schoharie County and the state of New York.
Location in Schoharie County and the state of New York.
Country United States
State New York
County Schoharie
Settled c. 1750
Established 1795
Government
 • Body Town board
Area
 • Total 30.78 sq mi (79.73 km2)
 • Land 30.61 sq mi (79.27 km2)
 • Water 0.18 sq mi (0.46 km2)
Elevation
886 ft (270 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 6,086
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code 518
FIPS code 36-16639
GNIS feature ID 0978843

Cobleskill is a town in Schoharie County, New York, United States. It's home to about 6,086 people, based on the 2020 census. The town includes a village also called Cobleskill, and the State University of New York at Cobleskill. You can find Cobleskill in the northern part of Schoharie County, southwest of Amsterdam.

History of Cobleskill

The area of Cobleskill was first settled around 1712. The town itself was officially created in 1795, the same year as the county. Its borders were set in 1801. The name "Cobleskill" comes from an early mill owner named Jacob Kobell. The word "kil" is Dutch for "stream," so it means "Kobell's Stream." The village of Cobleskill became an official village in 1868.

The Battle of Cobleskill

A famous event in Cobleskill's history is the Battle of Cobleskill, which happened on May 30, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War. It was a surprise attack on the frontier settlement.

A group of local soldiers, called the Cobleskill militia, along with some Continental soldiers, were exploring the area. They met a small group of Iroquois warriors. The soldiers chased the warriors, but it was a trap! About 200-300 Iroquois warriors and Loyalists (people who supported the British) were waiting. They were led by a famous Mohawk leader named Joseph Brant.

The hidden group suddenly attacked the rebels. Out of about 40 rebel soldiers, only around 11 managed to escape without serious injuries. This battle was an important part of the war in this region.

Geography of Cobleskill

Cobleskill covers an area of about 30.8 square miles (79.7 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water.

The Cobleskill Creek flows through the town, heading east. Major roads like Interstate 88 and New York State Route 145 also pass through Cobleskill. New York State Route 10 joins NY-145 near Cobleskill village. Both the Interstate and NY-10 generally follow the path of the Cobleskill Creek.

Population and People

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 2,440
1830 2,988 22.5%
1840 3,583 19.9%
1850 2,229 −37.8%
1860 2,357 5.7%
1870 2,847 20.8%
1880 3,370 18.4%
1890 3,443 2.2%
1900 3,973 15.4%
1910 3,579 −9.9%
1920 3,798 6.1%
1930 3,980 4.8%
1940 4,005 0.6%
1950 4,709 17.6%
1960 4,964 5.4%
1970 6,017 21.2%
1980 7,048 17.1%
1990 7,270 3.1%
2000 6,407 −11.9%
2010 6,625 3.4%
2020 6,086 −8.1%
U.S. Decennial Census 2020

In 2000, there were 6,407 people living in Cobleskill. The town is home to a mix of people from different backgrounds. The average age of residents was 33 years old.

Fun Things to Do in Cobleskill

Yearly Events

Cobleskill hosts two exciting yearly events:

  • The Schoharie County Maple Festival, which celebrates maple syrup!
  • The Sunshine Fair, a fun fair for everyone.

Cool Places to Visit

Just outside Cobleskill, you can explore amazing underground caverns:

  • Howe Caverns: This cavern is 156 feet below the ground!
  • Secret Caverns: Discovered in 1928, this cavern was formed during the last Ice Age. It even has a 100-foot underground waterfall!

Media in Cobleskill

If you want to know what's happening in Cobleskill, you can check out:

  • The Times Journal of Cobleskill: This is a weekly newspaper published every Wednesday.
  • WCSQ-LP: This is the local radio station, Radio Cobleskill 105.9 FM.

Famous People from Cobleskill

Some notable people have connections to Cobleskill:

  • George H. Durand: A U.S. Representative from Michigan.
  • Boris McGiver: An actor who was born in Cobleskill.
  • Harvey Putnam: A U.S. Representative from New York.

Communities and Locations in Cobleskill

The Town of Cobleskill includes several smaller communities and interesting spots:

  • Barnerville – A small community east of the town.
  • Bramanville – Another community in the eastern part of town. The historic Bramanville Mill is here.
  • Cobleskill – The main village in the western part of the town.
  • Cobleskill Reservoir – A reservoir located east of Mineral Springs.
  • East Cobleskill – A community in the southeastern part of the town.
  • Greenbush – A spot south of Mineral Springs.
  • Howe's Cave – A community near the eastern town line, named after an early settler, Lester Howe.
  • Lawyersville – A community northwest of Cobleskill village, named after some early settlers.
  • Mineral Springs – A community south of Cobleskill village, originally called "Frances Corners."
  • Russell Lake – A small lake in the northwestern corner of Cobleskill.
  • Sagendorf Corners – A location north of Howes Cave.
  • Shutts Corners – A location northeast of Cobleskill village.

Images for kids

See also

In Spanish: Cobleskill para niños

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