Pawling (town), New York Facts for Kids

Pawling is a town located in Dutchess County, New York, in the United States. It's named after Catherine Pauling, whose family owned a lot of land in the area long ago. In 2020, about 8,012 people lived here. The town also has a smaller area within it called the Village of Pawling.

A Look Back: Pawling's History
Exploring Pawling: Geography
- Communities and Places in Pawling
Pawling's Population
Local Services and Safety
People Who Made a Mark in Pawling
Cool Places to Visit in Pawling
See also

A Look Back: Pawling's History

Pawling has a rich history, including an old border dispute between New York and Connecticut. This area was known as "the Oblong" because it was a long, narrow strip of land.

The first settlers here were Nathan Birdsall and his wife Jane Langdon, who were Quakers. They built a log house around 1720. More Quakers, also known as Friends, moved to the area after 1731, once the border dispute was finally settled. Their Quaker Meeting House is still standing and you can visit it today!

During the American Revolution, the famous general George Washington even set up his headquarters in Pawling for two months in 1778. The town of Pawling was officially founded in 1788. Later, in 1807, a part of Pawling was used to create the nearby town of Dover.

Exploring Pawling: Geography

Pawling covers about 45 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small part made up of water.

The town has high, hilly areas on its eastern and western sides. In the middle, you'll find the Great Swamp and the Harlem Valley. This is where the Village of Pawling is located. The highest point in town is Observatory Hill, which is 1,332 feet above sea level. The lowest point is 420 feet, found in the Great Swamp.

Most people in Pawling live in the valley. Important roads like NY 22 and NY 55 run through this area. The Metro-North Railroad's Harlem Line also goes through Pawling, with two train stations: the Pawling station in the village and the Appalachian Trail station. This second station lets people hike onto the famous Appalachian Trail!

Pawling shares its southern border with Putnam County, New York. To the east, it borders Connecticut. To the west is the town of Beekman, and to the north is Dover.

Communities and Places in Pawling

Pawling has several smaller communities and interesting spots:

Baker Corner – A small community east of Hurd Corners.
Holmes – A community in the southwestern part of town.
Hurd Corners – A community north of Pawling village.
Quaker Hill – A community near the eastern border, known for its history.
Pawling – The main village within the town.
Shorehaven – A community in the western part of town.
West Pawling – A community northwest of Pawling village.
Whaley Lake – A lake located near the western town line.
Woodinville – A community west of Pawling village.

Pawling's Population

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1820	1,804	—
1830	1,705	−5.5%
1840	1,571	−7.9%
1850	1,720	9.5%
1860	1,743	1.3%
1870	1,760	1.0%
1880	2,006	14.0%
1890	1,949	−2.8%
1900	1,921	−1.4%
1910	1,927	0.3%
1920	1,955	1.5%
1930	2,391	22.3%
1940	2,752	15.1%
1950	2,891	5.1%
1960	3,938	36.2%
1970	4,764	21.0%
1980	5,795	21.6%
1990	5,947	2.6%
2000	7,521	26.5%
2010	8,463	12.5%
2020	8,012	−5.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 7,521 people living in Pawling. About 33.8% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in Pawling was 40 years old.

Local Services and Safety

Pawling has important services to keep its residents safe and healthy.

Fire Department

The Pawling Fire District is in charge of fire safety. They make sure buildings are safe and respond to fires, rescues, and natural disasters. They have three fire stations across the town. While they handle fire emergencies, ambulance services are provided by Empress Ambulance, which is available 24/7.

Police Protection

Police services in Pawling are provided by the Dutchess County Sheriff's office and the New York State Police. The Sheriff's deputies have an office near the train station. The MTA police also patrol the area around the train station.

Medical Care

Pawling has several doctors' offices and clinics. While there are no hospitals directly in Pawling, there are several medical centers and hospitals nearby. These include hospitals in Poughkeepsie, Danbury (Connecticut), Carmel, and New Milford (Connecticut).

People Who Made a Mark in Pawling

Many interesting people have lived in or had connections to Pawling:

Kris Carr – An author.
Thomas E. Dewey (1902–1971) – A former Governor of New York who ran for U.S. President twice. He lived on a large farm called "Dapplemere" in Quaker Hill.
James Earl Jones (1931–2024) – A famous actor, known for his distinctive voice.
Helen Lester – A children's author, creator of the character Tacky the Penguin.
Edward R. Murrow – A pioneering radio and television journalist. A local park is named after him.
Aaron Neville – An R&B singer and musician.
Soledad O'Brien – An American broadcast journalist.
Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) – A Christian preacher and author of The Power of Positive Thinking. He also founded Guideposts magazine. The Peale Center for Christian Living is still in Pawling.
Sally Jessy Raphael – A well-known talk show host.
Lowell Thomas – A famous traveler and broadcaster who helped develop the Quaker Hill community.
John Lorimer Worden (1818–1897) – A U.S. Navy rear admiral who commanded the ironclad ship USS Monitor during the American Civil War. He is buried in Pawling Cemetery.

Cool Places to Visit in Pawling

Akin Free Library – A historic stone building that also houses the Gunnison Museum of Natural History and the Historical Society of Quaker Hill and Pawling.
Daryl's House – A concert venue and restaurant owned by musician Daryl Hall.
The Dover Oak – One of the oldest and largest oak trees on the Appalachian Trail.
John Kane House – This house was used by George Washington as his headquarters during the American Revolution.
Oblong Friends Meeting House – A historic Quaker meeting house from the late 1700s, located in Quaker Hill.
Peale History Center and Library – A center dedicated to the life and teachings of Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.
Trinity-Pawling School – An all-boys boarding school.
Whaley Lake – A beautiful lake in the area.
Pawling Free Library – Located in the center of the Village, it's a great place for learning and discovery.

Pawling (town), New York facts for kids

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