Hillsdale, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hillsdale, New York
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Hillsdale hamlet
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Location of Hillsdale, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Columbia |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47.89 sq mi (124.03 km2) |
| • Land | 47.72 sq mi (123.61 km2) |
| • Water | 0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2) |
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,831 |
| • Density | 38.64/sq mi (14.92/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12529
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-021-34748 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979068 |
Hillsdale is a town in eastern Columbia County, New York. It is located close to the border with Massachusetts. The town is known for its beautiful hills.
Hillsdale is near several natural attractions. These include Bash Bish Falls and Taconic State Park. The Catamount Ski Area is also nearby. You can find the Harlem Valley Rail Trail here. This is a long bike path perfect for outdoor fun.
Contents
History of Hillsdale
Much of Hillsdale was once part of a large estate. This estate was called the Manor of Rensselaerswyck. Some parts of the town were also claimed by Massachusetts.
Early settlers from New England started a community called Kakeout. They raised sheep there. Around 1745, Martin Krum bought 800 acres of land. Robert Noble also bought land and named his area Nobletown.
The owners of these large estates, the Van Rensselaers and Livingstons, rented land to farmers. But farmers from Massachusetts did not agree with these land titles. This disagreement was finally settled in 1773.
In 1776, Henry Knox traveled through Hillsdale. He was moving cannons from Albany, New York. These cannons were needed to help the American soldiers. They were fighting in the siege of Boston. You can still see two markers in Hillsdale. They are part of the Henry Knox Trail.
Hillsdale became its own town in 1782. Before that, it was part of Claverack. In 1799, the Columbia Turnpike was built. This road helped farmers bring their goods to market. They transported wool, rye, and wheat to the port of Hudson. From there, goods went to New York City.
People paid tolls to use the road. This money helped build and maintain it. The East Gate tollhouse was in Hillsdale. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
Other historic places in Hillsdale include the Dr. Joseph P. Dorr House and Pine View Farm. These are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Geography and Nature
Hillsdale covers about 47.89 square miles (124.0 square kilometers). Most of this area is land. Only a small part is water.
The eastern border of Hillsdale is the New York–Massachusetts state line. This border runs along the Taghkanic Mountain range. These mountains add to the town's beautiful, hilly landscape.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 2,511 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,446 | −2.6% | |
| 1840 | 2,470 | 1.0% | |
| 1850 | 2,123 | −14.0% | |
| 1860 | 2,552 | 20.2% | |
| 1870 | 2,083 | −18.4% | |
| 1880 | 1,939 | −6.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,554 | −19.9% | |
| 1900 | 1,390 | −10.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,504 | 8.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,052 | −30.1% | |
| 1930 | 968 | −8.0% | |
| 1940 | 1,050 | 8.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,183 | 12.7% | |
| 1960 | 1,299 | 9.8% | |
| 1970 | 1,447 | 11.4% | |
| 1980 | 1,648 | 13.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,793 | 8.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,744 | −2.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,927 | 10.5% | |
| 2020 | 1,831 | −5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 | |||
In 2020, about 1,831 people lived in Hillsdale. The population has changed over the years. You can see how it has grown and shrunk in the chart above.
In 2000, there were 1,744 people living here. About 28% of homes had children under 18. The average age of people in Hillsdale was 43 years old.
Communities and Locations
Hillsdale has a few smaller communities within its borders:
- Harlemville – This small community is in the northwest part of town. It is home to Hawthorne Valley Farm Store. There is also a Waldorf school here. The Emmanuel Lutheran Church of Harlemville and Cemetery is a historic building.
- Hillsdale – This is the main community, or hamlet, of Hillsdale. It is where state routes 22 and 23 meet. The Hillsdale Hamlet Historic District has many old buildings. Some of these are the Hillsdale General Store and historic inns. The Hillsdale Hamlet Park has a playground and basketball court.
Near the hamlet is Roeliff Jansen Park. This park has trails for hiking and snowshoeing. It also has a dog run and family events. A farmers market is held there in summer and fall. The Roeliff Jansen Community Library is across from the park. A new part of the Harlem Valley Rail Trail ends in this hamlet.
- North Hillsdale – This community is near the center of Hillsdale. It was once called Nobletown. The North Hillsdale Methodist Church is a historic building here.
Festivals and Celebrations
Hillsdale hosts fun events throughout the year. The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival happens every August. It takes place on Dodds Farm.
Another event is the Oldtone Music Festival. This festival is held in early September. It celebrates traditional folk music. It helps connect people and share wisdom across generations.
Notable People
Many interesting people have connections to Hillsdale:
- James Agee, a famous writer
- Samuel Birdsall, a US Congressman
- Squire S. Case, a New York legislator
- Peter Kane Dufault, a poet
- Bill Kramer (executive), CEO of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences
- Anna Roosevelt Halsted, a writer
- John Krum, a lawyer and mayor
- Henry Augustus Loop, a painter
- John F. Collin, a US Congressman and historian
- John Cowper Powys, a writer
- Brian Denis Cox, a Scottish actor
- Michael Lally, an Irish American poet and actor
See also
In Spanish: Hillsdale (Nueva York) para niños
