Newburgh, New York facts for kids

Newburgh is a city in Orange County, New York, United States. About 28,856 people lived there in 2020. It's a main city in the wider New York area. Newburgh is about 60 miles (97 km) north of New York City and 90 miles (145 km) south of Albany, right on the Hudson River. It's also close to Stewart International Airport.

People from Germany and Britain first settled the Newburgh area in the early 1700s. During the American Revolution, Newburgh was the main base for the Continental Army. Before it became a city in 1865, Newburgh was part of the larger Town of Newburgh. The Town of Newburgh still borders the city to the north and west. The Hudson River is to the east, and the city of Beacon is across the river. You can cross the river on the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge. The southern border of the city is with the Town of New Windsor, mostly along Quassaick Creek.

Newburgh has many important historical places. These include Washington's Headquarters, the David Crawford House, the New York State Armory, the Dutch Reformed Church, and the Newburgh Colored Burial Ground. Famous people like George Washington and Franklin Delano Roosevelt had connections to the city. Ulysses S. Grant, Robert Kennedy, and Theodore Roosevelt also visited. The city was important for the Gothic Revival style of architecture in America, led by Andrew Jackson Downing and English architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Clarke Withers.

Mount Saint Mary College, a private college, is also located here.

Exploring Newburgh's Past

The area where Newburgh is now was once home to the Waoranek people, a branch of the Lenape. Europeans first explored this area in 1609 when Henry Hudson sailed up the river that now bears his name. His navigator, Robert Juet, reportedly called the spot "a pleasant place to build a town."

Around 1683, Governor Thomas Dongan bought the land from the Woaranek people. The first European settlers arrived in 1709. They were 54 German refugees, helped by Queen Anne of Great Britain. They called their settlement the Palatine Parish by Quassic. In 1743, a ferry started running between Newburgh and Fishkill Landing (now Beacon). In 1752, the land was named "Newburgh," possibly after a town in Scotland. Shipyards, docks, and warehouses soon filled the waterfront.

Newburgh During the American Revolution

From April 1782 to August 1783, General George Washington made his headquarters at the Hasbrouck family farmhouse in Newburgh. This was Washington's longest stay at any of his headquarters. In March 1782, Washington received a letter from Lewis Nicola suggesting he become king of the United States. Washington strongly refused this idea. To honor his refusal, Kings Highway, the street where his headquarters was, was renamed Liberty Street.

In March 1783, some army officers were upset about not being paid by Congress. An anonymous letter suggested they refuse to disband the army if peace was declared and they were still unpaid. This event is known as the "Newburgh Conspiracy." Washington gave a speech, known as the "Newburgh Address," and convinced his officers to stay loyal to Congress and him. A month later, Washington announced the peace treaty with the United Kingdom, effectively ending the American Revolution. New York State bought the Hasbrouck House in 1850 to protect it, making it the first publicly owned historic site in the United States.

How Newburgh Grew

Newburgh's first newspaper, The Newburgh Packet, started in 1793. The small town of Newburgh became a village in 1800. It was originally in Ulster County and was that county's main town. When Rockland County was created in 1798, Newburgh became part of Orange County. It lost its status as the county seat to Goshen. However, supreme court sessions continued to be held in Newburgh as well as Goshen.

By 1793, four boat lines operated from Newburgh. As new roads opened, trade spread inland. Wagons traveled as far west as Canandaigua. This was the shortest route from the Hudson River to Western New York. By 1819, a steamboat on Cayuga Lake connected Newburgh with Ithaca. The streets near the river were often blocked by farmers' wagons waiting to unload goods. When the Erie Canal opened, much of the trade moved away from Newburgh.

Prosperity returned with the railroads. In 1845, the Erie Railroad was allowed to build the Newburgh Branch, connecting to the main line. This branch opened in 1850. Newburgh officially became a city in April 1865.

Newburgh became very successful during the Gilded Age that followed. Telephone service arrived in 1879. By 1883, steamboats docked on Second Street. The United States Hotel was across from the landing. The West Shore Railroad started service to Jersey City in 1883.

Newburgh became a transportation and industrial center because it was on the Hudson River, between New York City and Albany. Its factories made cotton, wool, silk, paper, hats, soap, bricks, tools, and even early automobiles. There were also shipyards, foundries, and tanneries.

J. J. Nutt, a writer, said in 1891 that Newburgh was "the most thriving city on the Hudson." He noted its public spirit and institutions, seeing a bright future for it as a manufacturing and commercial city.

Newburgh had the second Edison power plant in the country, which lit up 126 lamps at the Orange Woolen Mill. It was also the second American city (after New York City) to have a street lit by electricity. Broadway, one of New York State's widest streets, runs through the city and offers great views of the Hudson River.

Newburgh in the 20th and 21st Centuries

Newburgh played a key role in television history. In October 1939, RCA chose Newburgh to test-market televisions because it was within range of RCA's experimental TV station. Six hundred TV sets were sold in Newburgh at a low price. The success of this test encouraged RCA to develop television further.

Newburgh was one of the first cities in the country to add fluoride to its water in 1945.

In the late 1900s, many industries left Newburgh for places with cheaper labor and lower taxes. The Hudson River, once a main way to transport goods, lost much of its shipping traffic to trucks. The city's trolley system closed in 1924, replaced by buses. As more people used cars, many moved to the suburbs. In 1963, the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge opened, carrying Interstate 84 and bypassing the city's waterfront. The ferry closed soon after (it reopened in 2005), and the waterfront area quickly declined.

In 1962, Lloyd's Department Store opened outside the city, drawing business away from downtown. Other shopping malls also opened outside Newburgh, causing the city's retail businesses to decline further. The city lost its well-known shops on Water Street and Broadway to suburban malls, which had easier parking and less traffic.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the city tried to fix its economic problems with a big urban renewal plan. The historic waterfront area, with many important buildings, was completely torn down between 1970 and 1973. Residents were moved to newer housing projects.

A large complex planned for the urban renewal area was never built because state and federal funding ran out after the 1973 oil crisis. Today, the blocks sloping down to the river are open, grassy areas with great views of the Hudson. Public opinion is mixed on whether they should be built on again.

In the early 1960s, city manager Joseph McDowell Mitchell and the city council gained national attention. They tried to make welfare recipients pick up payments at police headquarters. Mitchell also announced a plan to deny welfare payments after three months, except for the elderly, blind, and handicapped. This plan caused a national debate and was never put into effect.

In the early 2000s, Newburgh became more diverse, with a growing number of Latin American immigrants, especially from Mexico, joining the city's large African American population.

Newburgh's Location and Weather

Newburgh is in the Hudson Valley region of New York. It's in Orange County, on the west bank of the Hudson River. The Town of Newburgh borders the city to the north and west, and the Town of New Windsor borders the south.

Near Newburgh, the land rises sharply to a bluff where many historic buildings are located. These offer wide views of the Hudson Highlands to the south, Mount Beacon to the east, and the Newburgh–Beacon Bridge to the north. The land then rises more gradually to a flatter western half. Some hills are in outer areas, like Washington Heights and Mount St. Mary's. The lowest point in the city is at sea level along the river, and the highest is about 690 feet (210 m) on Snake Hill.

Newburgh has a total area of about 4.78 square miles (12.4 km2). Of this, 3.81 square miles (9.9 km2) is land and 0.98 square miles (2.5 km2) is water. Newburgh is part of the Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh metropolitan area, which is part of the larger New York metropolitan area.

Newburgh's Climate

Newburgh has a climate that is a mix of humid subtropical and humid continental.

On average, Newburgh gets about 191 sunny days each year. Winters are cold and wet, with about 36.8 inches (934.72 mm) of snow. January and February are the coldest months, with average low temperatures around 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-7.7 Celsius). February is also the driest month. Summers are usually hot and humid, with an average high of 84 °F (28.8 °C) in July. June, August, and September are considered the most comfortable months. Newburgh receives about 47 inches (1,193.8 mm) of rain each year.

People and Culture in Newburgh

Newburgh's population was 28,856 in 2020. The city is very diverse. In 2018, about 20.1% of people were non-Hispanic white, 24.2% were African American, and 50.8% were Hispanic or Latino. Many people from Mexico and Puerto Rico live in Newburgh.

In 2018, the average household size was 2.92 people. About 31.7% of the population was under 18 years old. The average age was 29.1 years. About 55.4% of people in the city spoke only English, and 44.6% spoke another language. Many people spoke Spanish.

The average household income from 2014 to 2018 was $37,900. Poverty has been a challenge in Newburgh. In 2004, the state called it one of New York's most "stressed" cities due to factors like single-parent families, empty buildings, and unemployment.

Religious Life in Newburgh

About 53.5% of Newburgh residents are religious. The largest Christian group is the Catholic Church (35.7%). Other Christian groups include Methodists, Presbyterians, and Lutherans. Judaism is the second largest religious group, with Jews making up 6.5% of the faith community. The Jewish Federation of Orange County is in Newburgh. Islam is followed by 1.1% of the community, and a small number of people follow Eastern religions like Hinduism or Buddhism.

St. George's Episcopal Church

St. George's Church started in 1728. It received a royal charter from King George III in 1770. In 1838, Rev. Dr. John Brown started St. George's Cemetery, which was open to people of all races and beliefs. He also helped found St. Luke's Hospital. The church building was built in 1819, and the bell tower was added in 1834.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

The first Catholic service in Newburgh was around 1816. St. Patrick's Church was founded in 1836. A stone church building was finished in 1842. In 1852, land was bought for a cemetery. The church started its Hispanic ministry in the mid-1960s, offering Spanish Mass and celebrating cultural holidays.

St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church

St. Mary's Church was founded in 1875. The church building was built in 1880. Mount Saint Mary College was founded in 1883, and St. Mary's Parochial School opened in 1886. St. Mary's Parish merged with St. Patrick's in 2015, and the church building closed.

Newburgh's Economy

Newburgh was once a very important economic center between New York City and Albany. However, due to people moving to the suburbs and other economic changes, the city faced a decline from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Currently, over 11,400 people work within the city limits.

As of 2020, the biggest industries in Newburgh were retail, healthcare and social assistance, food services, finance, public administration, and education.

Arts and Historic Places

Newburgh has a long history of preserving its past. In 1850, Washington's Headquarters was named a state historic site, the first in the country. The Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands was started in 1884. The David Crawford House, built in 1830, is now home to this historical society.

Modern efforts to preserve Newburgh's history began when the Dutch Reformed Church, a Greek Revival building, was planned to be torn down in 1967. The effort to save it led to the creation of a historic district, which is now the second largest in New York State. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and became a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

Newburgh was named a Preserve America community in 2005. Its East End Historic District has the most historic properties of any district in the state.

The city's historic buildings, designed by famous architects like Alexander Jackson Davis and Calvert Vaux, have attracted people who want to restore and invest in the properties.

Public Historic Sites to Visit

• Old Town Cemetery — Newburgh's first burial ground, with old gravestones. It has a unique Egyptian Revival tomb.
• Newburgh Colored Burial Ground — This was once a cemetery for Black people, but it was destroyed around 1900. An archaeological dig later found hundreds of remains.
• St. George's Cemetery — An early planned cemetery with several important burials. It is maintained by St. George's Episcopal Church, the oldest church in the city that is still operating.
• Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site — This was George Washington's headquarters at the end of the Revolutionary War. It is the first publicly owned historic site in the United States.
• David Crawford House — This house is the headquarters of the Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands. It is used as a museum and library. David Crawford, who built the house, was a merchant who helped Newburgh grow.
• Downing Park — A public park designed by Vaux and Olmstead, dedicated to Andrew Jackson Downing. It has paths like Central Park, a small pond, a cafe, and an amphitheater.

Sports in Newburgh

Delano-Hitch Park used to be the home field for the Newburgh Black Diamonds and Newburgh Nighthawks baseball teams.

The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team linked with the New York Yankees. They play at Dutchess Stadium in nearby Fishkill.

Education in Newburgh

In 1978, students at Newburgh Free Academy, the city's public high school, boycotted classes. This led to big changes in the school system. Newburgh is served by the Newburgh Enlarged City School District.

The local high school, Newburgh Free Academy, is the largest public high school in Orange County. It serves about 3,000 students in grades 9–12. Newburgh Free Academy has three campuses: NFA Main, NFA North, and NFA West, with over 4,300 students in total.

Two colleges are located in Newburgh: Mount Saint Mary College and the Newburgh campus of SUNY Orange.

Media and News

Newburgh is part of the New York City and Middletown media markets. It is served by local newspapers like The Mid Hudson Times and The Times Herald-Record. Larger newspapers like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal are also available. News 12 Hudson Valley is a regional television channel for the area.

Getting Around Newburgh

Allegiant Air, Breeze, and Play airlines offer passenger flights from Stewart International Airport, which is west of the city. You can take the Metro-North Railroad from Beacon station, across the Hudson River. You can get to Beacon by using the Newburgh–Beacon Ferry during busy times. This train connects to New York City. There is also train service from nearby Salisbury Mills—Cornwall station to New Jersey and New York City.

The River Rose and Pride of the Hudson offer sightseeing boat tours on the Hudson River.

Bus services are available from Ulster County Area Transit and Short Line (part of Coach USA) to other towns and New York City. Local bus service is provided within the city by Newburgh Area Transit. Leprechaun Lines also connects Newburgh, Beacon, and Stewart Airport.

Major roads like New York State Route 32 and U.S. Route 9W pass through Newburgh. Interstate 84 passes just north of the city, and the New York State Thruway (I-87) is not far to the west.

Hospitals and Healthcare

Newburgh's economy also benefits from several hospitals and medical places. These include Montefiore St. Lukes Cornwall Hospital and the Veterans Health Administration (VA) Hudson Valley Healthcare System.

Newburgh's Water Supply

In May 2016, the city asked for help with its water supply, which was found to have certain chemicals (PFOS). The chemicals came from foam used during firefighting drills at the Stewart Air National Guard Fire Department.

Famous People from Newburgh

Images for kids

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  Woodcut of Newburgh in 1842, showing the Dutch Reformed Church with its original dome.

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  Water Street around 1906. These buildings were torn down in the 1960s and 1970s.

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  City manager Joseph Mitchell at the Newburgh City Council in 1961.

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  A barge in frozen Newburgh Bay, 2011.

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  Masjid al-Ikhlas, a mosque in Newburgh.

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  The Dutch Reformed Church, a National Historic Landmark.

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  Mount St. Mary's Motherhouse, 2007.

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  Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site.

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  Two homes on Chambers Street, one newly fixed up, in 2006.

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  A U.S. Stamp from 1933 showing Washington's Headquarters.

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  Stewart International Airport from above, 2007.

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  The former Newburgh Train Station of the West Shore Railroad.

See also

In Spanish: Newburgh (Nueva York) para niños