Oswegatchie, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oswegatchie, New York
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Map highlighting Oswegatchie's location within St. Lawrence County.
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 Oswegatchie, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | St. Lawrence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 71.20 sq mi (184.41 km2) |
| • Land | 65.50 sq mi (169.64 km2) |
| • Water | 5.71 sq mi (14.77 km2) |
| Elevation | 282 ft (86 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,158 |
| • Density | 66.22/sq mi (25.57/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-55563 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979324 |
Oswegatchie is a town in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. It is located on the northern edge of the county, right next to the city of Ogdensburg. In 2010, about 4,397 people lived here. The name "Oswegatchie" is said to mean "Black Water."
Contents
History of Oswegatchie
The area around Oswegatchie was first explored by French missionaries in the 1600s. The town itself was officially created in 1802. It was formed from a part of the town of Lisbon when St. Lawrence County was established.
After the French and Indian War, the British took over the area. They renamed a former French settlement called La Gallette to Oswegatchie. This new name came from the local Native American tribe.
Later, after the American Revolution, the community became known as Ogdensburg. It was named after Samuel Ogden. He was part of a group that bought a lot of land in the region to develop it. During the War of 1812, British forces captured Ogdensburg and much of the town.
In 1817, the community of Ogdensburg became its own separate village. It then became the City of Ogdensburg in 1868. Other parts of Oswegatchie were also used to form new towns. The Town of Morristown was created from the western part of Oswegatchie in 1821. Another piece became part of the Town of De Peyster in 1825.
Mater Dei College, a school, opened in 1960 but closed its doors in 2001.
Geography of Oswegatchie
Oswegatchie covers a total area of about 71.4 square miles (184.9 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 65.8 square miles (170.4 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 5.5 square miles (14.2 square kilometers), is water.
The Oswegatchie River flows through the town. It forms part of the town's southern border. The northwestern border of the town is along the St. Lawrence River. This river also forms an international border with Canada.
Several main roads run through Oswegatchie. New York State Route 812 goes north and south. New York State Route 37 runs along the south bank of the St. Lawrence River. New York State Route 68 is located near the northeastern part of the town.
Population Information
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,661 | — | |
| 1830 | 3,934 | 136.8% | |
| 1840 | 5,719 | 45.4% | |
| 1850 | 7,756 | 35.6% | |
| 1860 | 10,821 | 39.5% | |
| 1870 | 3,018 | −72.1% | |
| 1880 | 2,881 | −4.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,346 | −18.6% | |
| 1900 | 2,368 | 0.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,235 | −5.6% | |
| 1920 | 2,156 | −3.5% | |
| 1930 | 2,269 | 5.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,193 | −3.3% | |
| 1950 | 2,363 | 7.8% | |
| 1960 | 2,836 | 20.0% | |
| 1970 | 3,162 | 11.5% | |
| 1980 | 3,939 | 24.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,036 | 2.5% | |
| 2000 | 4,370 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 4,397 | 0.6% | |
| 2020 | 4,158 | −5.4% | |
In 2000, there were 4,370 people living in Oswegatchie. These people lived in about 1,508 households. About 1,091 of these households were families. The population density was about 66.4 people per square mile.
Many households, about 35.1%, had children under 18 living with them. Most households, 58.0%, were married couples living together. About 20.8% of all households were made up of people living alone. About 9.5% of those living alone were 65 years old or older.
The average household had about 2.69 people. The average family had about 3.09 people. The population was spread out by age. About 26.1% of the people were under 18. About 16.5% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the town was 38 years.
Places in Oswegatchie
- Black Lake – This is a long, narrow lake that is partly in the western part of the town. It also forms part of the southern town border.
- Eel Weir State Park – A state park located southwest of Ogdensburg. It's a great place for outdoor activities.
- Galilee – A small community located southwest of Ogdensburg on County Road 6.
- Heuvelton – This village is in the southern part of the town. It is near the Oswegatchie River and NY-812.
- Ivy Ridge – This location was once a school campus. It is near the St. Lawrence River, west of Ogdensburg.
- Lost Village – This location was last known to be near Eel Weir State Park on County Road 4.
- Northrup Corners – A spot near the northern town line. It is located on NY-68 and County Road 4.
- Ogdensburg – This city is right on the northern border of the town. It is located along the St. Lawrence River.
- Ogdensburg International Airport (OGS) – An airport located south of Ogdensburg.
- Wadhams Hall – This used to be a seminary, which is a school for religious studies. Now, it is a place for retreats and conferences. It is located by the St. Lawrence River, west of Ogdensburg.
See also
In Spanish: Oswegatchie para niños
