Richford, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Richford
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 Richford
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Tioga |
| Area | |
| • Total | 38.21 sq mi (98.95 km2) |
| • Land | 38.19 sq mi (98.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,371 ft (418 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,043 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,020 |
| • Density | 27.3/sq mi (10.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
13835
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| Area code(s) | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-61511 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979418 |
Richford is a small town in Tioga County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 1,043 people lived there. The town got its name from Ezekial Rich, an important early settler. Richford is the northernmost town in Tioga County. It is southeast of the city of Ithaca.
Contents
Richford's Early Days
Richford's story began around 1808. That's when Evan Harris and his family arrived. Samuel Smith was the first to settle where the main village is now, in 1813. The first place for travelers to stay, a tavern, was built in 1817. Ezekial Rich moved to the town in 1821. He bought the tavern and started a factory that made gloves and mittens. He also opened a general store.
The town was first created in 1831. It was called "Arlington" and was part of the Town of Berkshire. In 1832, its name was changed to Richford.
The Underground Railroad Connection
Local stories say that some homes in Richford were part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom before the American Civil War.
Travel and Transportation
In 1816, the Catskill Turnpike road came through the village. This brought a lot of traffic to Richford. It was the main way to get in and out of the village until 1869. That's when the Southern Central Railroad was finished. This new railroad connected Auburn and Owego.
Exploring Richford's Geography
Richford covers about 38.2 square miles (98.9 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with only a tiny bit of water.
Waterways and Hills
The West Branch of the Owego Creek forms the western edge of the town. The East Branch runs along the eastern side of the village. You can find several ponds on the hilltops, especially near a place called Clarks.
Much of Richford is hilly. Many of the highest points in Tioga County are here. The highest spot is 1,994 feet (608 meters) high. It's an unnamed hill in Robinson Hollow State Forest.
Weather in Richford
Richford is on the southern edge of the "snowbelt." This means it gets a lot of snow, about 82 inches (208 cm) each year. It also gets about 40 inches (102 cm) of rain. On average, Richford has 154 sunny days every year.
Neighboring Areas
Richford shares its borders with several other counties and towns:
- To the west is Tompkins County.
- To the north is Cortland County.
- To the east is Broome County.
- To the south is the town of Berkshire.
Main Roads
Two important roads meet in Richford village:
- New York State Route 38 (runs north-south)
- New York State Route 79 (runs east-west)
People of Richford
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1840 | 939 | — | |
| 1850 | 1,208 | 28.6% | |
| 1860 | 1,404 | 16.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,434 | 2.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,477 | 3.0% | |
| 1890 | 1,267 | −14.2% | |
| 1900 | 1,142 | −9.9% | |
| 1910 | 925 | −19.0% | |
| 1920 | 831 | −10.2% | |
| 1930 | 805 | −3.1% | |
| 1940 | 794 | −1.4% | |
| 1950 | 787 | −0.9% | |
| 1960 | 804 | 2.2% | |
| 1970 | 916 | 13.9% | |
| 1980 | 906 | −1.1% | |
| 1990 | 1,153 | 27.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,170 | 1.5% | |
| 2010 | 1,172 | 0.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,043 | −11.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,020 | −13.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,170 people living in Richford. Most residents were White (98.89%). About 34.8% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.66 people. The median age in town was 37 years old.
Fun Things to Do in Richford
Annual Potato Festival
Richford celebrates its history of potato farming every year. The Annual Potato Festival happens on the third Saturday of September. It honors the Clarks Seed Farm. You can find arts and crafts, games, and races. The festival is famous for its potato-themed foods. This includes potato ice cream! It used to be made by Cornell University. Now, Jones' Humdinger makes two kinds: the original and a sweet potato version.
Broome-Tioga Sports Center
If you like off-road racing, this is the place! The Broome-Tioga Sports Center is on the border with Broome County. It hosts races for motorcycles, snowmobiles, and ATVs. They also have mud bogs, mud drags, hill climbs, and demolition derbies. You can even find trail riding and classic car shows here.
State Forests and Outdoor Adventures
Richford has over 4,700 acres (1,900 hectares) of state-owned land. This is more than all other towns in Tioga County combined! These lands are mostly six large state forests.
- Michigan Hill State Forest: This forest is east of the village. It has 1,200 acres (486 hectares) of wild land. There are no marked trails. You can find old foundations and orchards from past settlements here.
- Griggs Gulf State Forest: Next to Michigan Hill, this forest covers 2,365 acres (957 hectares). It has over 2.7 miles (4.3 km) of unmarked trails. The birthplace of John D. Rockefeller is within this forest.
- Turkey Hill State Forest: This forest is shared with the town of Berkshire. It has 1,100 acres (445 hectares) of woodlands. It's a great place to see many types of birds and other animals.
- Robinson Hollow State Forest: This forest is west of Richford and covers 1,400 acres (567 hectares). It has 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of marked trails. Part of the Finger Lakes Trail runs through it. There's also a 45-acre (18-hectare) trout pond for fishing.
- Beaver Dam State Forest: East of Richford, this forest has 1,150 acres (465 hectares). It offers 1.8 miles (2.9 km) of maintained trails.
- Andersen Hill State Forest: South of the village, this forest has 544 acres (220 hectares). It has a short trail and a forest access road. You can also access the West Branch Owego Creek here.
These state lands are perfect for hiking and motorized sports. Many trails for 4-wheelers and snowmobiles cross these woodlands.
Fishing and Hunting
Richford is a great place for fishing. Native and stocked trout live in the cold waters of the Owego Creek. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) releases over 10,000 brown trout here each year. They also release 200 rainbow trout into the Tri-County Pond.
Hunting is also popular. All state lands are open for hunting. They provide excellent homes for deer, turkey, and other game animals.
Communities and Places in Richford
- Dunhamville – This used to be a place south of Richford village.
- East Richford – A location on NY-79, east of Richford village.
- Hubby Creek – A small stream that flows from the southern part of the town.
- Richford – The main hamlet (small village) where NY-38 and NY-79 meet. The East Branch of Owego Creek flows by the village.
Famous People from Richford
- John D. Rockefeller (1839–1937): He was a very rich businessman who founded the Standard Oil company. He was born in Richford and would visit in the summer. You can still see the foundation of his childhood home in Griggs Gulf State Forest.
- Gurdon Wattles (1855–1932): He was born in Richford in 1855. He became known for helping to fund many early Hollywood movies.
See also
In Spanish: Richford (Nueva York) para niños
