Lewis County, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lewis County
County
Lewis County Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of New York
New York's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	New York
Founded	1805
Named for	Morgan Lewis
Seat	Lowville
Largest village	Lowville
Area
• Total	1,290 sq mi (3,300 km2)
• Land	1,275 sq mi (3,300 km2)
• Water	15 sq mi (40 km2)  1.2%
Population  (2020)
• Total	26,582
• Density	20.8/sq mi (8.0/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	21st

Lewis County is a cool place in the northwestern part of New York. It sits between the tall Adirondack Mountains and the Tug Hill Plateau. This area is known as New York's North Country.

In 2020, about 26,582 people lived here. This makes it one of the least populated counties in New York. The main town, or county seat, is Lowville. The county got its name from Morgan Lewis, who was the Governor of New York when it was created in 1805.

Before settlers arrived, the Iroquois people lived in this region. After the American Revolutionary War, more people began to move here. Lewis County also played a part in the War of 1812.

Geographically, Lewis County is special. It has parts of the beautiful Adirondack Park and the Black River Valley. It's also in New York's "Snowbelt," meaning it gets a lot of snow!

The county's economy mainly relies on agriculture (farming), forestry (trees), and renewable energy. Tourism and winter fun are also becoming more important. Lewis County is mostly rural, with a spread-out population. It's known for supporting Republican candidates in elections. You can find many small towns and villages here, like Copenhagen and Croghan. The county also hosts the Lewis County Fair, which is one of the oldest fairs in the state!

A Look Back: Lewis County's Past

For a long time, not many people lived in the area that is now Lewis County. The Iroquois people were the first inhabitants. After the American Revolutionary War, New York took control of these lands. More settlers started to arrive in the late 1700s. This happened after a large land deal called Macomb's Purchase in 1791.

How Lewis County Got Its Shape

The borders of Lewis County have changed many times over the years! It started as part of a huge area called Albany County way back in 1683. Then, it became part of Tryon County in 1772. This county was later renamed Montgomery County in 1784.

Later, the area was part of Herkimer County in 1791. Then it was part of Oneida County in 1798. Finally, in 1805, Lewis County was officially created with its own name and borders.

Lewis County in the War of 1812

Lewis County played a role in the War of 1812. In 1805, a local military group, called a militia, was formed. It was known as the 26th Brigade. In 1808, a regiment was created with troops from towns like Lowville and Denmark.

When the War of 1812 began in June 1812, a company of soldiers from Lewis County was already serving. They helped at the First Battle of Sacket's Harbor. More men were called up from the county to help with the war effort in the following years.

Exploring Lewis County's Landscape

Lewis County covers about 1,290 square miles. Most of this is land, with a small part being water. It's located in the northwestern part of New York State.

The eastern side of the county is part of the beautiful Adirondack Park. The western side includes a big part of the Tug Hill Plateau. This area is famous for being in the "Snowbelt," which means it gets a lot of snow! The Black River Valley also runs through the county.

The Snow Belts near the Great Lakes often get huge snowfalls.

Neighbors and Roads

Lewis County shares its borders with several other counties:

• St. Lawrence County to the north
• Herkimer County to the east
• Oneida County to the south
• Oswego County to the west
• Jefferson County to the northwest

Important roads that help people travel through Lewis County include:

• NY-3
• NY-12
  • NY-12D
• NY-26
• NY-812

Who Lives in Lewis County?

Lewis County has a population of about 26,582 people, based on the 2020 census. Most residents are White. Over the years, the county has seen a small increase in people from different backgrounds. For example, the number of people who identify as mixed race has grown.

In 2000, the average age in the county was 37 years old. About 28% of the population was under 18. Most households were married couples living together. The county has a rural feel, with people spread out across the area.

Towns and Villages of Lewis County

Lewis County is home to many interesting communities. Here are some of the larger ones:

† - County Seat

†† - Former Village

Towns

Hamlets

• Beaver Falls
• Talcottville
• List of other hamlets

Famous Faces from Lewis County

Lewis County has been home to several notable people:

• Peter Ostrum (born 1957) is a former child actor who became a veterinarian in Lowville. He was known for his role in Willy Wonka . the Chocolate Factory.
• Judge Fred A. Young (1904–1973) was a well-known politician and judge. He was born and lived most of his life in Lowville.
• Florence Augusta Merriam Bailey (1863–1948) was an American expert on birds and a nature writer. She was born in Locust Grove.
• Franklin B. Hough (1822–1885) was a scientist and historian. He was the first chief of the United States Division of Forestry. He was born in Martinsburg.
• Clinton Hart Merriam (1855–1942) was an American zoologist and naturalist.
• Edward McGlachlin (1840–1931) was a newspaper editor and politician. He was born in Watson.

How Lewis County Votes

Lewis County has a history of supporting Republican candidates in presidential elections. Since the Civil War, Republicans have won almost every time. There were only three exceptions: in 1912, 1964, and 1996. In the 2020 election, President Donald Trump received over two-thirds of the votes. In the 2024 election, he received 71.8% of the votes.

Learning in Lewis County

Lewis County has several school districts that serve its communities:

See also

In Spanish: Condado de Lewis (Nueva York) para niños

• List of counties in New York
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Lewis County, New York
• Castorland Company