German Flatts, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
German Flatts, New York
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Location of German Flatts in Herkimer County
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 German Flatts, New York
Location in New York
German Flatts, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Herkimer |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34.19 sq mi (88.56 km2) |
| • Land | 33.70 sq mi (87.27 km2) |
| • Water | 0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2) |
| Elevation | 971 ft (296 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 12,263 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13407
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| Area code(s) | 315 |
| FIPS code | 36-043-28750 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0978997 |
German Flatts is a town in Herkimer County, New York. It's located in the southern part of the county, right by the Mohawk River. In 2020, about 12,263 people lived here. The villages of Ilion and Mohawk are also part of this town.
Contents
A Look Back at German Flatts History
German Flatts was one of the first places settled in this area. In the early 1700s, German immigrants called Palatines were allowed to buy land here. This land was bought from the Mohawk, a strong Native American group. This was the first land sold to Europeans west of Schenectady.
During the French and Indian War in the 1700s, the village was attacked. French and Iroquois forces attacked, and many women and children were taken away. They were taken to Canada as prisoners.
The 1778 German Flatts Raid
On September 17, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, a big attack happened. Joseph Brant, a Mohawk chief and Loyalist leader, led this attack. Loyalists were people who supported the British during the war. He had 150 Iroquois warriors and 300 Loyalists.
They launched a surprise attack on German Flatts. At the time, the area, including what is now Little Falls, Fort Herkimer, Mohawk, and Ilion, was not well protected.
The attackers took many cattle and sheep. Then, they burned almost every house, barn, and mill in German Flatts. Sixty-three houses, 57 barns, and four mills were destroyed. Even with all this destruction, only three men were killed. This was because a brave Patriot scout named Adam Helmer warned the town. Patriots were people who wanted America to be independent.
Helmer ran about 35 miles (56 km) to warn everyone. Because of his warning, most people were able to hide in Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton. Three children from the Demuth family were captured outside the fort. Two of them, Catherine and George, returned home later. But the youngest, Samuel, chose to stay with his Onondaga family. He grew up to be an interpreter between the Iroquois and settlers.
German Flatts was officially made a town in 1788. This was before Herkimer County was even formed.
How German Flatts Helped Form Other Towns
In 1791, when Herkimer County was created, German Flatts was one of its first three towns. Over time, parts of German Flatts were used to create new towns. In 1792, Frankfort, Litchfield, and Warren were formed. Later, in 1829, part of German Flatts became part of the town of Little Falls.
German Flatts Geography
The town of German Flatts covers about 34.19 square miles (88.6 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
The northern border of the town is along the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. The village of Ilion is in the northwest corner. The village of Mohawk is further east, also along the northern border.
Major roads cross through German Flatts. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) goes through the northeast part of town. New York State Route 5S runs through the northern part and meets New York State Route 28 in Mohawk village. New York State Route 168 goes southeast from Mohawk village.
German Flatts Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,665 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,466 | −7.5% | |
| 1840 | 3,245 | 31.6% | |
| 1850 | 3,578 | 10.3% | |
| 1860 | 3,940 | 10.1% | |
| 1870 | 5,718 | 45.1% | |
| 1880 | 6,746 | 18.0% | |
| 1890 | 7,255 | 7.5% | |
| 1900 | 8,663 | 19.4% | |
| 1910 | 10,160 | 17.3% | |
| 1920 | 14,089 | 38.7% | |
| 1930 | 13,923 | −1.2% | |
| 1940 | 13,053 | −6.2% | |
| 1950 | 14,106 | 8.1% | |
| 1960 | 15,742 | 11.6% | |
| 1970 | 15,430 | −2.0% | |
| 1980 | 14,981 | −2.9% | |
| 1990 | 14,345 | −4.2% | |
| 2000 | 13,629 | −5.0% | |
| 2010 | 13,258 | −2.7% | |
| 2020 | 12,263 | −7.5% | |
| 2021 (est.) | 12,351 | −6.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 13,629 people living in German Flatts. There were 5,483 households, and 3,591 families. The population density was about 404 people per square mile (156 people per square kilometer).
About 31.4% of households had children under 18. Nearly half (48.6%) were married couples. About 12.2% were single mothers. The average household had 2.45 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 25.2% were under 18. About 16.4% were 65 or older. The average age was 38 years old.
The median income for a household was $32,772. For a family, it was $39,380. About 13.7% of the total population lived below the poverty line. This included 16.8% of those under 18.
Communities and Locations in German Flatts
- Bell Hill – A hill located south of Ilion.
- Days Rock – A small community near the center of the town.
- Edicks – A community in the southeastern part of the town.
- Fort Herkimer – A community near the northern town line and the Mohawk River.
- Ilion – A village at the northwestern border of German Flatts.
- Kinne Corners – A place on the western town line.
- Mohawk – A village at the northern border of the town.
- North Ilion – A community north of Ilion village, by the Mohawk River.
- Rock Hill – A hill in the southeastern part of German Flatts.
- Russell Park – A location southwest of Mohawk village.
- Shoemaker Hill – A mountain range extending east from Mohawk.
- South Ilion – A community in the southeastern part of the town.
- Vickerman Hill – A hill located south of Mohawk.
Famous People from German Flatts
- Adam Helmer (c.1754 – 1830), a hero from the American Revolutionary War.
- Elias Root (1806 – 1880), an American businessman and politician.
- Francis E. Spinner (1802 – 1890), who was the Treasurer of the United States for many years.
- Inez Harrington Whitfield (1867 – 1951), a talented artist who painted botanical watercolors.
See also
In Spanish: German Flatts (Nueva York) para niños
