Rouses Point, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rouses Point, New York
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Northbound US 11 along Lake Street at the intersection with Chapman Street
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Location in Clinton County and the state of New York.
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Clinton |
| Town | Champlain |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.47 sq mi (6.40 km2) |
| • Land | 1.75 sq mi (4.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.72 sq mi (1.87 km2) |
| Elevation | 112 ft (34 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,195 |
| • Density | 1,254.29/sq mi (484.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12979
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-63979 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0963048 |
Rouses Point is a small village in Clinton County, New York, United States. It is located right on the 45th parallel, which is halfway between the Equator and the North Pole!
The village is named after Jacques Rouse. He was a French Canadian soldier who helped the Americans during the American Revolution. Rouses Point sits on the western shore of Lake Champlain. It is also where the Richelieu River begins. You can find this village in the very northeastern corner of the town of Champlain. It is north of the city of Plattsburgh and right on the Canada–United States border.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Rouses Point was first settled around 1783. People from Canada and Nova Scotia came here. They were given land because they helped during the American Revolution.
Steamboats and Trains
Steamboats were very popular on Lake Champlain. The second commercial steamboat ever built was launched on this lake. Rouses Point was its first stop! Steamboats were important for about 100 years. Then, railroads took over.
In 1818, Edward Thurber built the first wooden house. People say that President James Monroe once stayed there. By 1860, Rouses Point had many shops. There were loggers, bakers, tailors, and more.
A Stop on the Underground Railroad
Because it was so close to the Canada–US border, Rouses Point became a key stop on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped many African-Americans escape to freedom. They traveled north to Canada.
Growth and Modern Times
Rouses Point became an official village in 1877. It grew quickly! By 1892, over 2,000 people lived there. The Delaware and Hudson Railway opened a station. This connected the village to New York City and Montreal.
During World War II, Rouses Point was important for shipping war supplies. These supplies went north by water and by rail.
Today, the lake near Rouses Point has three marinas. These are full of boats used for fun. A big company named Wyeth used to employ many people here.
Where is Rouses Point?
Rouses Point is located at 44°59′15″N 73°22′3″W / 44.98750°N 73.36750°W. It is the northernmost village in New York based on where most people live.
Land and Water
The village covers about 6.4 square kilometers (2.47 square miles). About 4.6 square kilometers (1.75 square miles) is land. The rest, about 1.9 square kilometers (0.72 square miles), is water. This means about 29% of the village area is water!
Rouses Point is a "port of entry" from Canada. This means it's a place where people and goods can legally cross the border. It's very close to the Canada–United States border with Quebec. The village is on the west side of Lake Champlain.
Roads and Routes
The village is where U.S. Route 2 and U.S. Route 11 meet. U.S. 2 goes east across the Rouses Point Bridge into Vermont. New York State Route 9B comes into the village from the south. New York State Route 276 enters from the northwest.
U.S. 2 officially starts (or ends) at the intersection with U.S. 11. About a kilometer (0.8 miles) north, U.S. 11 ends at the border with Canada.
People of Rouses Point
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,266 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,485 | 17.3% | |
| 1890 | 1,856 | 25.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,675 | −9.8% | |
| 1910 | 1,638 | −2.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,700 | 3.8% | |
| 1930 | 1,920 | 12.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,846 | −3.9% | |
| 1950 | 2,001 | 8.4% | |
| 1960 | 2,160 | 7.9% | |
| 1970 | 2,250 | 4.2% | |
| 1980 | 2,266 | 0.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,377 | 4.9% | |
| 2000 | 2,277 | −4.2% | |
| 2010 | 2,209 | −3.0% | |
| 2020 | 2,195 | −0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2020, about 2,195 people lived in Rouses Point. The village has a mix of different backgrounds. Most people are White, with smaller groups of African American, Native American, and Asian residents. Some people are also of Hispanic or Latino heritage.
Learning in Rouses Point
The village is part of the Northeastern Clinton Central School District. There is one elementary school in Rouses Point for students from kindergarten to 5th grade. Older students (grades 6-12) go to Northeastern Clinton Central Middle/High School in Champlain.
The Dodge Memorial Library is on Lake Street. It's a great place to find books and learn!
Local Fun and Activities
Also on Lake Street is the Rouses Point Civic Center. This building is used for many things. It hosts village council meetings and has an ice rink. Sometimes, it even serves as a small convention area.
Getting Around
Amtrak, which is the national passenger train system in the U.S., has service to Rouses Point. Their Adirondack train runs every day. It travels between Montreal in Canada and New York City. The Rouses Point station is the closest train station on the U.S. side of the border.
Cool Places to Visit
- Fort Montgomery: This old fort is also known as "Fort Blunder."
- Pointe au Fer: This spot was found by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609. It was the site of a battle in 1760. The British took control, but then the Americans took it back during the American Revolution. Famous people like Benjamin Franklin and Babe Ruth have visited here! Today, it's mostly a nature area. You can camp there and enjoy views of Lake Champlain. It's also a public hunting ground during certain seasons.
Famous People From Rouses Point
- Elizabeth Marney Conner (1856–1941), a dramatic reader and teacher.
- Jesse Boulerice (born 1978), a former NHL player. He played for four different teams!
See also
In Spanish: Rouses Point para niños
