Montgomery, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Montgomery, New York
Town
Town of Montgomery
Town Hall, on Bracken Road
Etymology: For Richard Montgomery
Nickname(s):  Transportation Hub of the Northeast
Location in Orange County and the state of New York.
Location of New York in the United States
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Orange
Founded	1772
Government
• Type	Town Hall
Area
• Total	51.19 sq mi (132.58 km2)
• Land	50.26 sq mi (130.16 km2)
• Water	0.93 sq mi (2.42 km2)
Elevation	410 ft (120 m)
Highest elevation (USGS BM Garrison, Kings Hill)	820 ft (250 m)
Lowest elevation (Wallkill River at northern town line)	240 ft (70 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	23,322
• Density	455.60/sq mi (175.909/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	12543, 12549, 12550, 12561, 12586, 12589
Area code(s)	845
FIPS code	36-071-48153
Wikimedia Commons	Town of Montgomery, New York

Montgomery is a town in Orange County, New York, United States. It's about 60 miles (97 km) northwest of New York City. Montgomery is a historical and cultural center in the Hudson Valley area. It has also become a growing commuter town for people working in the New York metropolitan area. In 2020, about 23,322 people lived here.

The town is named after Richard Montgomery. He was an American Revolutionary War general. He died in 1775 during the Battle of Quebec. Montgomery shares its northern border with Ulster County, New York. It is located just west of the town of Newburgh. Three villages are found within Montgomery: Montgomery, Walden, and most of Maybrook.

History of Montgomery Town

The first settler in the area was Henry Wileman in 1710. He was part of a group of German Palatines who came to live around what is now Montgomery village.

The town was first called Hanover in 1772. It was renamed Montgomery in 1782.

The community of Montgomery became an official village in 1810. Later, Walden became a village in 1855. Maybrook was the last village to be formed, in 1926.

Exploring Montgomery's Geography

Montgomery is bordered by several other towns. To the east is Newburgh. To the north is Shawangunk in Ulster County. Crawford is to the west. To the south are Wallkill, Hamptonburgh, and New Windsor.

The village of Walden is in the north-central part of the town. Montgomery village is near the center. Maybrook is in the southeast corner. Most of the land is flat and low. This is because the Wallkill River flows through it. There are also some large swampy areas in the south.

The land becomes drier and better for farming further north. Much of the town is used for farms or small neighborhoods. Some areas are kept as open space. You can also find business parks and schools here. The Orange County Airport is also in Montgomery.

Rivers and Parks in Montgomery

The Wallkill River is the main waterway in the town. It flows from south to north, passing through Montgomery and Walden villages. It also forms part of the border with Hamptonburgh. Two smaller rivers, the Muddy Kill and Tin Brook, also flow through Montgomery.

There are also parks along the Wallkill River. Part of Winding Hills Park is in Montgomery. Also, parts of Highland Lakes State Park and Stewart State Forest are here. Thomas Bull Memorial Park is a large park in Orange County. It covers over 719 acres.

The town covers about 51.1 square miles (132.3 km²). Most of this is land. The highest point is Kings Hill, at 820 feet (250 meters) above sea level. The lowest point is 240 feet (73 meters) where the Wallkill River leaves the town.

Transportation in Montgomery

Montgomery was once known as the "transportation hub of the northeast." This was especially true before the 1940s. The Erie Railroad used to have a branch line that went south from Montgomery. The Wallkill Valley Railroad went north to Kingston.

By 1938, these railroads stopped carrying passengers. Today, the old rail lines are mostly used for freight or have become rail trails for walking and biking. Roads now handle most of the transportation.

Orange County Airport is a small airport in Montgomery. It opened in 1943.

Montgomery's Population Facts

In 2000, there were 20,891 people living in Montgomery. There were 7,273 households. About 40.4% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.84 people.

The median age in the town was 35 years old. About 29.3% of the population was under 18. The median income for a household was $49,422. For families, it was $56,376.

Communities and Locations in Montgomery

• Allards (also called "Allards Corners") – A small community near the northern town line.
• Berea – A community east of Montgomery village. It is along NY 17K.
• Coldenham – Another community east of Montgomery village. It is also along NY 17K.
• Maybrook – This village is partly in the southern part of the town. It is on NY 208.
• Montgomery – This village is in the center of the town. It is where NY 17K and NY 211 meet.
• Morrison Heights – A community north of Maybrook. It is near Interstate 84.
• Scotts Corner – A community two miles east of Montgomery village. It is at the crossing of NY 17K and NY 208.
• Walden – This village is in the northern part of the town. It is by the Wallkill River and NY 208.

Notable People from Montgomery

• David Bernsley (born 1969) – An American-Israeli basketball player.
• Andrew H. Embler – A Medal of Honor winner. He was an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
• John D. Lawson – A US Congressman from New York.
• John L. Senior – A sports administrator at Cornell University. He also started Slope Day.
• Nathaniel P. Hill – A US Senator from Colorado.
• Levi S. Backus – The first deaf editor of an American newspaper.
• P. J. Jacobsen – A motorcycle racer.
• Wesley Wait – An inventor, author, and dental surgeon.

Images for kids

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  Town Hall, on Bracken Road

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  Location in Orange County and the state of New York.

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  Location of New York in the United States

See also

In Spanish: Montgomery (Nueva York) para niños