Valatie, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valatie, New York
Pachaquack
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The First Presbyterian Church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
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| Nickname(s):
Vaaltje ("Little Falls")
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| Motto(s):
"What a Village Should Be"
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Location of Valatie, New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Columbia |
| Town | Kinderhook |
| Settled | 1665 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.27 sq mi (3.28 km2) |
| • Land | 1.25 sq mi (3.25 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 240 ft (73 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,785 |
| • Density | 1,423.44/sq mi (549.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12184
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-76617 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0968342 |
Valatie (/vəˈleɪʃə/) is a small village in Columbia County, New York, United States. It is known for its beautiful waterfalls. In 2020, about 1,785 people lived there. The village is located in the middle of the town of Kinderhook along US 9.
Contents
History of Valatie
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The area now known as Valatie was first called Pachaquack by the Mohican people. This name means "cleared meadow." The Mohicans were Native Americans who lived by the Valatie Kill and Kinderhook Creek waterways.
The first European settlers were the Dutch in 1665. They were part of the original New Netherland colony. The Dutch named this place "Vaaltje," which means "little falls," because of the waterfalls.
In the early 1800s, Valatie became an important center for business. There were nine cotton mills that used the power from the waterfalls to run their machines. The village officially became a village in 1856. Its busy Main Street made it a hub for trade in northern Columbia County for many years.
A special tradition started in Valatie in 1946. Fifteen village veterans created the United States' first Santa Claus Club. Their goal was to give holiday gifts to children who were very sick. Even today, every Christmas Eve, a Santa visits every child under ten years old in the village.
Geography and Waterfalls
Valatie is located in the center of the Town of Kinderhook. It is part of the Hudson Valley region in New York State. The village is about 21 miles (34 km) south of Albany, which is New York's capital city. It is also about 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Hudson.
The village covers about 1.27 square miles (3.28 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. Valatie is where the Valatie Kill meets Kinderhook Creek. This creek flows into the Hudson River.
Valatie is famous for its three waterfalls, all found along Main Street:
- Valatie Kill Falls, also known as Wild's Falls
- Little Falls Creek, also called Beaver Mill Falls
- Kinderhook Creek Falls
Nearby Places in Kinderhook Town
- Niverville is a small community south of Kinderhook Lake. It is about 2 miles (3 km) northeast of Valatie.
- Kinderhook is another village located about 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Valatie on U.S. Route 9.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 1,775 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,437 | −19.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,300 | −9.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,219 | −6.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,301 | 6.7% | |
| 1930 | 1,246 | −4.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,208 | −3.0% | |
| 1950 | 1,225 | 1.4% | |
| 1960 | 1,237 | 1.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,288 | 4.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,620 | 25.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,487 | −8.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,712 | 15.1% | |
| 2010 | 1,819 | 6.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,785 | −1.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, Valatie had a total population of 1,819 people. The village had about 1,388 people per square mile (536 people per square kilometer).
Most of the people living in Valatie are White (about 93.84%). There are also people who identify as Native American, African American, Asian, or from other backgrounds. About 10.23% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
The population is spread out across different age groups. About 24.4% of the people are under 18 years old. About 23.8% are 65 years or older. The average age in the village is 41 years old.
Arts and Culture in Valatie
Valatie hosts a fun WinterWalk parade and festival every year in mid-December. The parade features fire trucks, rescue vehicles, and marching bands from the Ichabod Crane High School. Santa Claus rides in a sleigh, and groups like the Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts march along. Elves and marionettes also join the parade.
Several important historical buildings in Valatie are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the First Presbyterian Church, the Wild's Mill Complex, and the Nathan Wild House. This means they are recognized for their historical importance.
The Valatie Free Library started in 1928 by simply sharing books. It officially became a library in 1931 and moved into a small old cottage.
Valatie in Movies
Valatie has been a filming location for a few movies:
- Haldane of the Secret Service (1924), a movie starring and directed by Harry Houdini, was filmed at Beaver Kill Falls in Valatie.
- Meskada (2009) was partly filmed in Valatie.
Notable People from Valatie
- Martin H. Glynn was the 40th Governor of New York from 1913 to 1914. He was born nearby in 1871 and moved to Valatie as a child. His family owned Glynn Tavern on Main Street.
- Virginia O'Hanlon is famous for her 1897 letter to the New York Sun. She asked if Santa Claus was real. The newspaper's answer, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus", became a very popular holiday quote. This letter also inspired the 1947 movie, Miracle on 34th Street. Virginia O'Hanlon Douglas spent her later years in Valatie and is buried in the nearby village of Chatham.
See also
In Spanish: Valatie para niños
