Schroon, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Schroon, New York
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Schroon Lake by Thomas Cole (1838–40)
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Location in Essex County and the state of New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Essex |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 141.40 sq mi (366.24 km2) |
| • Land | 132.68 sq mi (343.64 km2) |
| • Water | 8.73 sq mi (22.60 km2) |
| Elevation | 312 ft (95 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,880 |
| • Density | 12.10/sq mi (4.67/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-031-65629 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0942185 |
Schroon (pronounced SKROON) is a town in Essex County, New York. It is located within the beautiful Adirondack Park. In 2020, about 1,880 people lived here.
The biggest community in Schroon is the hamlet of Schroon Lake. This hamlet is found at the northern end of the lake that shares its name. The Town of Schroon is in the southern part of Essex County. It is north of Albany, the state capital.
Schroon has two main lakes. One is the northern part of Schroon Lake, which is about 9 miles (14 km) long. The other is Paradox Lake, which is about 5 miles (8 km) long. The Schroon River connects these two lakes. This river flows south and eventually joins the Hudson River.
Contents
History of Schroon
European settlers first came to the area of Schroon in 1804. It was originally part of the Town of Crown Point. This area was once claimed by France. In 1817, a new town called Minerva was formed from part of Schroon. Later, in 1840, some land from Schroon was given back to Crown Point.
Like other towns in Essex County, Schroon's early economy focused on lumber production. This means cutting down trees and processing wood.
The name "Schroon" has an interesting history. No one is completely sure where it came from. Some people think it's a Native American word meaning "large lake." Others believe it came from French soldiers. These soldiers were in the area during the French and Indian Wars. They admired a woman named Madame Scarron, who was close to French King Louis XIV.
In the late 1800s, Schroon became a popular place for wealthy families. They traveled from the New York City area. Their journey involved a train ride, then a stagecoach, and finally a steamboat across the lake.
By 1915, cars made it even easier to visit. Many people from cities came to the Schroon Lake area. Large resorts like Taylor's on Schroon (later called Scaroon Manor) and the Leland House opened. These places made Schroon Lake a top summer vacation spot.
Before the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) was built, US Route 9 was the main road. It connected Albany and Montreal. This made Schroon Lake a convenient stop for travelers. They could buy gas, find a place to stay, and eat meals.
The Scaroon Manor resort closed in 1962. It was used to film the 1957 movie Marjorie Morningstar. Famous actors like Gene Kelly and Natalie Wood starred in it. Today, the old Scaroon Manor site is a New York State Campground. It is open to the public.
The "Scaroons" are mentioned in the famous book The Last of the Mohicans. The author, James Fenimore Cooper, wrote about it twice. It's unclear if he meant the lake or a chain of mountains.
Geography of Schroon
The town of Schroon covers about 141.40 square miles (366.2 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 132.68 square miles (343.6 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 8.73 square miles (22.6 square kilometers), is water.
The southern border of Schroon touches Warren County. Schroon Lake (the body of water) is partly in Essex County and partly in Warren County.
The Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) goes through the middle of Schroon. You can get on or off at Exits 27 and 28. US Route 9 runs next to the Interstate. New York State Route 74 is an east-west road. It crosses US-9 and the Interstate at Exit 28.
Schroon is about 240 miles (386 km) north of New York City by road. It is about 130 miles (209 km) south of Montreal, Canada. It is also about 66 miles (106 km) southwest of Burlington, Vermont.
Schroon has a small airfield. It has a runway that is 3,000 feet (914 meters) long. This runway can handle small and medium-sized private airplanes.
The Schroon River flows into the town from the north. It then flows out of the town to the south, heading towards the Hudson River. Many state hiking trails are in the town. Some of these trails lead to the Hoffman Notch Wilderness area.
Population of Schroon
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 888 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,614 | 81.8% | |
| 1840 | 1,660 | 2.9% | |
| 1850 | 2,031 | 22.3% | |
| 1860 | 2,550 | 25.6% | |
| 1870 | 1,899 | −25.5% | |
| 1880 | 1,731 | −8.8% | |
| 1890 | 1,474 | −14.8% | |
| 1900 | 1,272 | −13.7% | |
| 1910 | 1,013 | −20.4% | |
| 1920 | 852 | −15.9% | |
| 1930 | 932 | 9.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,044 | 12.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,176 | 12.6% | |
| 1960 | 1,220 | 3.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,403 | 15.0% | |
| 1980 | 1,606 | 14.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,721 | 7.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,321 | −23.2% | |
| 2010 | 1,654 | 25.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,880 | 13.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 1,759 people living in Schroon. There were 737 households, and 473 families. The population density was about 13.2 people per square mile. Most of the people living in the town were White (98.98%).
About 26.1% of households had children under 18. About 55.4% were married couples. The average household had 2.34 people. The average family had 2.93 people.
The median age in the town was 42 years old. About 22.5% of the population was under 18. About 18.8% were 65 or older.
The median income for a household was $29,054. For a family, it was $36,579. About 11.0% of the population lived below the poverty line.
Communities and Places in Schroon
- The Arlington House – This large 18-bedroom house was once a bed and breakfast.
- Clarks Island — An island in Schroon Lake. It is home to a youth camp run by Word of Life Fellowship.
- Loch Muller — A small hamlet near the western edge of the town.
- The Narrows - A narrow part of Schroon Lake near South Schroon Lake.
- Paradox - A hamlet on NY-74, at the eastern end of Paradox Lake.
- Paradox Lake — A lake located near the hamlet of Severance.
- Schroon Falls — A place near the northern town line on U.S. Route 9.
- Schroon Lake – A lake in the southern part of the town. It also extends into Warren County.
- Schroon Lake – A hamlet on the northwest side of the lake. The town government building is here.
- Schroon Lake Airport (4B7) - A small airport northeast of Schroon Lake hamlet.
- Schroon Lake Loop — A hamlet south of Schroon Lake hamlet on US-9.
- Schroon River — A river that flows into the northern end of Schroon Lake.
- Severance — A hamlet in the northern part of the town on NY-74. It is at the west end of Paradox Lake.
- South Schroon Lake — A hamlet near the southern end of the lake on US-9.
- The Three Bears — A private community on the eastern side of the lake.
Local Attractions
Schroon Lake is a popular place to visit all year round. In summer, people enjoy boating, swimming, and fishing. In winter, activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Hiking and hunting are popular in the fall and spring.
Every September, hundreds of runners take part in the Adirondack Marathon. The race finishes in downtown Schroon Lake. The roads around the lake are almost exactly 26 miles long.
Schroon's main street is US 9. Here you can find restaurants, antique shops, a movie theater, and churches. The town has public docks in the village area. This makes it easy for boaters to visit the shops and restaurants. Schroon also has two free public boat launches. New York State has public campsites on Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake.
Schroon Lake is home to the Seagle Festival (formerly Seagle Music Colony) during the summer. It also has the Schroon-North Hudson Historical Museum, Natural Stone Bridge & Caves, and a 9-hole golf course. You can also find several local restaurants and bars.
The Word of Life Bible Institute is located in Schroon Lake. They also have family and youth camps. The town is also home to Camp Southwoods, a traditional summer camp on Paradox Lake.
See also
In Spanish: Schroon (Nueva York) para niños
