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Roscoe, New York
Stewart Avenue is the main street of Roscoe
Stewart Avenue is the main street of Roscoe
Etymology: Named for Roscoe Conkling
Nickname(s): 
"Trout Town, USA"
U.S. Census Map
U.S. Census Map
Location of Roscoe in Sullivan County, New York
Location of Roscoe in Sullivan County, New York
Country United States
State New York
County Sullivan
Area
 • Total 0.98 sq mi (2.53 km2)
 • Land 0.97 sq mi (2.52 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,296 ft (395 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 497
 • Density 509.74/sq mi (196.90/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
12776
Area code(s) 607
FIPS code 36-63583
GNIS feature ID 0962895
Welcome to Roscoe, New York
Trout Town

Roscoe is a small community in Sullivan County, New York, USA. It's known as a "hamlet" and a "census-designated place," which means it's a small, defined area. In 2020, about 497 people lived there.

Roscoe is located in the southwestern part of the town of Rockland, right next to New York State Route 17. The town is named after Roscoe Conkling, who was a senator from New York.

Roscoe is famous for being called "Trout Town, USA"! It's a super popular spot for people who love fly fishing because two great trout rivers, the Beaver Kill and the Willowemoc Creek, meet here. Many travelers stop here when driving on Route 17 between New York City and Binghamton, New York. They can find gas stations and convenience stores right off the highway.

Exploring Roscoe's Past

Historical marker in Roscoe, New York
This historical marker tells about the 1916 fire.

Roscoe was first known as Westfield Flats in 1789. It was once home to the Delaware Indians, and wolves used to roam freely in the area.

Like much of the Catskills, Roscoe was part of a large land grant called the Hardenbergh Patent in the early 1700s. This land was later bought by Robert Livingston, who was a powerful landowner. The first settlers in Roscoe were brothers who bought land from Livingston's son. Stewart Street is one of the main streets in the community today.

The Great Fire of 1916

On November 19, 1916, a terrible fire destroyed 23 buildings in Roscoe. Most of the damage was along Stewart Avenue. Over 100 firefighters from nearby towns like Livingston Manor and Liberty came to help. However, they lost water pressure, which made it very hard to stop the flames. Luckily, the Presbyterian Church was saved.

Modern Travel and Landmarks

Roscoe Diner, New York in 2012
The famous Roscoe Diner

For many years, when New York State Route 17 (a major highway) was being built, the section near Roscoe was one of the last to be finished. This meant travelers had to exit the highway and drive on local roads for a few miles.

Today, Roscoe is a frequent stopping point for people driving on Route 17 between New York City and Western New York. The Roscoe Diner is a very popular place. Students traveling to and from colleges, fly fishermen, and local residents all enjoy stopping there.

Two important historical places in Roscoe are the Dundas Castle and the Roscoe Presbyterian Church and Westfield Flats Cemetery. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning they are recognized for their historical importance.

Telephone Service in Roscoe

Even though Roscoe is in Sullivan County, it uses the 607 area code instead of 845. This is because an independent telephone company, now called Citizens Telecom, provides local phone service to Roscoe. This company also serves towns in nearby Delaware County. Other nearby towns in Sullivan County are served by Verizon.

Roscoe's Location and Landscape

Junctionpool
Junction Pool in Roscoe, where two rivers meet.

Roscoe is located at 41°56′10″N 74°54′58″W / 41.936128°N 74.916121°W / 41.936128; -74.916121.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community covers about 0.7 square miles (1.8 square kilometers) of land. Roscoe is just inside the edge of the beautiful Catskill Park. It's also famous for being the place where the Beaver Kill and Willowemoc Creek rivers join together.

Who Lives in Roscoe?

Historical population
Census Pop.
2010 541
2020 497 −8.1%
U.S. Decennial Census
Roscoe-Rockland Fire Department, New York
Roscoe-Rockland Fire Department

In the year 2000, there were 597 people living in Roscoe. Most of the people living there were White (95.14%). There were also smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other racial groups. About 2.01% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age of people in Roscoe in 2000 was 42 years old. About 21.8% of the population was under 18, and 22.9% were 65 or older.

Famous People from Roscoe

Roscoe New York visitor center
An information booth welcomes visitors to Roscoe.
  • Joan Wulff: Known as "America's First Lady of Fly Fishing."
  • Eric Banks: A talented composer and conductor of choirs.
  • Russ Hodge: A former American track and field athlete.

Places to Visit in Roscoe

  • Roscoe O&W Railway Museum: Learn about the history of the old O&W railway.
  • Tennanah Lake: A beautiful lake nearby.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Roscoe (Nueva York) para niños

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