Interlaken, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Interlaken, New York
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Village
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 Interlaken, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Seneca |
| Town | Covert |
| Incorporated | March 2, 1904 |
| Named for | Interlaken, Switzerland |
| Government | |
| • Type | Board of Trustees |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| • Land | 0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 595 |
| • Density | 1,938.11/sq mi (748.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14847
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| Area code(s) | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-37528 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0974030 |
| Website | http://www.interlaken-ny.us/ |
Interlaken is a small village located in Seneca County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 595 people lived there. The village's name, "Interlaken," means "between lakes." This is because it is situated between two large lakes, Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake.
The Village of Interlaken is found in the northern part of the Town of Covert. It is also northwest of the city of Ithaca, New York.
Contents
History of Interlaken
Early Settlers and Growth
The first European settlers arrived in the Interlaken area in the late 1790s and early 1800s. Many families came from New England and New Jersey to make their homes here. The village quickly grew, and early businesses opened to support the local families and farmers. These businesses included hotels, blacksmith shops, a post office, a bank, and later, a railroad station.
Four churches were built to serve the community. The Union Baptist Church was established in 1819, followed by the Reformed Church of Farmerville in 1830. A Universalist church opened in 1850, and St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church was built in 1874. The First Baptist Church of Interlaken is a historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002.
Changing Names and Incorporation
The village was first known as Farmerville. Then its name changed to Farmer, and later to Farmer Village. As the community grew, beautiful homes were built on Main Street, Lodi Street (now West Avenue), and other side streets like LeRoy, Lake View, Clinton, and Knight Streets.
In 1904, two important things happened. More summer travelers began visiting the area by train on the Lehigh Valley Railroad. People wanted to give the railroad station a new name, something more interesting than "Farmer." The railroad held a contest, and a school teacher named Miss Georgiana Wheeler suggested "Interlaken." She had traveled to Switzerland and liked the name of a town there.
At the same time, the villagers were working to make their community an official, incorporated village. They voted on several names. To show unity, the local newspaper, the Farmer Review, encouraged everyone to agree on the name Interlaken. On March 2, 1904, the village officially became "Interlaken." The very next Saturday, the Farmer Review newspaper changed its name to the Interlaken Review.
Main Street Changes Over Time
The look of Main Street changed quite a bit over the years due to several large fires.
- In December 1880, much of the southern business end of Main Street burned down.
- In February 1891, the Gambee House burned. It was later replaced by the Goodman House.
- In April 1926, a warehouse at the corner of Orchard and Main Streets caught fire.
- In February 1939, the Robinson Hotel was destroyed by fire.
Despite these challenges, many businesses still operate in and around the village today. They continue to serve the needs of the community, just as they have for many years.
Geography of Interlaken
Interlaken is located at 42°37′05″N 76°43′27″W / 42.618012°N 76.724229°W.
The village covers a total area of about 0.80 square kilometers (0.31 square miles). All of this area is land. There are no large bodies of water within the village limits.
Interlaken is situated where three important roads meet: New York State Route 96, New York State Route 96A, and County Road 141.
The village is part of the beautiful Finger Lakes District. As its name suggests, Interlaken is located between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake. However, it does not touch either lake directly.
Population and People
How Many People Live Here?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1910 | 693 | — | |
| 1920 | 633 | −8.7% | |
| 1930 | 660 | 4.3% | |
| 1940 | 661 | 0.2% | |
| 1950 | 770 | 16.5% | |
| 1960 | 780 | 1.3% | |
| 1970 | 733 | −6.0% | |
| 1980 | 685 | −6.5% | |
| 1990 | 680 | −0.7% | |
| 2000 | 674 | −0.9% | |
| 2010 | 602 | −10.7% | |
| 2020 | 595 | −1.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the 2010 census, 602 people lived in Interlaken. There were 243 households and 147 families. The population density was about 2,006.7 people per square mile. Most residents, about 95.2%, were White.
Age and Households
The population of Interlaken is spread out across different age groups.
- About 25.0% of residents were under 20 years old.
- About 16.5% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the village was 38.1 years.
There were 243 homes where people lived. About 67.9% of these homes were owned by the people living in them. The other 32.1% were rented.
Notable People from Interlaken
Interlaken has been home to some interesting people:
- Theodore D. Day (1838–1904) was a farmer and politician. He served in both the Assembly and the Senate for New York State.
- Rod Serling (1924–1975) was a famous American screenwriter, playwright, and television producer. He is best known as the creator and narrator of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone.
See also
In Spanish: Interlaken (Nueva York) para niños
