Fort Montgomery, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fort Montgomery, New York
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St Mark's Episcopal Chapel
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Location in Orange County and the state of New York.
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 Fort Montgomery, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Orange |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.87 sq mi (4.85 km2) |
| • Land | 1.84 sq mi (4.77 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 161 ft (49 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,627 |
| • Density | 883.76/sq mi (341.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
10922
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| Area code(s) | 845 |
| FIPS code | 36-26902 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0950484 |
Fort Montgomery is a small community in Orange County, New York, United States. It's known as a "hamlet," which is a type of small village. In 2020, about 1,627 people lived here. Fort Montgomery is located in the southeastern part of the town of Highlands, New York, right on U.S. Route 9W. It's also part of the larger New York metropolitan area.
Contents
Where is Fort Montgomery?
Fort Montgomery is located on the west side of the Hudson River. This river is a very important waterway in New York. The community covers an area of about 1.5 square miles (3.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
A Look at Fort Montgomery's Past
Fort Montgomery gets its name from an old fort built during the American Revolution. This fort was attacked by British soldiers on October 6, 1777. Even though the American forces lost the battle, their brave fight slowed down the British. This delay was important because it stopped the British from helping their other troops in time at the Battle of Saratoga. After this, the fort was destroyed. American defenses then moved upriver to West Point, New York, which is still a famous military academy today.
Industry and Transportation
Later, Fort Montgomery became a busy place for shipping iron ore. Ore from the Forest of Dean Mine was brought to a special dock using a railroad and even an aerial tramway (like a cable car system). From the dock, the ore was loaded onto steamboats and sent down the Hudson River. Coal was also brought in for the mining machines. In the early 1880s, the West Shore Railroad was built through the town, making transportation even easier.
However, the mining business didn't last forever. The big Forest of Dean Mine closed in 1931. When the main industry left, the town faced tough times. Things got even harder when passenger train service stopped in 1958.
Fort Montgomery Today
Today, Fort Montgomery is a popular stop for hikers on the Appalachian Trail. This famous hiking trail passes close by, and hikers can find a post office, food, and places to stay in the hamlet.
Who Lives in Fort Montgomery?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2000 | 1,418 | — | |
| 2010 | 1,571 | 10.8% | |
| 2020 | 1,627 | 3.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,418 people living in Fort Montgomery. By 2020, the population had grown to 1,627. Most people living here are white, but there are also African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Fort Montgomery in 2000 was 38 years old. About 23.6% of the population was under 18 years old. Many households were made up of married couples. The average income for a family was about $65,708 in 2000.
Schools in Fort Montgomery
Students in Fort Montgomery attend schools within the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District. The local high school for the area is James I. O'Neill High School.
Images for kids
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