Wassaic, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wassaic, New York
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Hamlet and CDP
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Downtown Wassaic
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 Wassaic, New York
Location in New York
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New York |
| County | Dutchess |
| Town | Amenia |
| Elevation | 139 m (456 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 210 |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
12592
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| Area code(s) | 845 |
| GNIS feature ID | 968879 |
Wassaic is a small community in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet, which is a small settlement, and a census-designated place. This means it is a specific area used for counting people by the government. As of 2020, about 210 people live there. Wassaic is located in southeastern New York, nestled in the valley of the Ten Mile River. It is surrounded by mountains on both its east and west sides.
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The Name Wassaic
The name Wassaic comes from a word used by Native American people. The word is Washaic. It means "land of difficult access" or "narrow valley." Even though the name suggests it was hard to reach, early European settlers found it easy to get there. They followed the Housatonic River valley from Long Island Sound. Then they traveled through the mountains along the Ten Mile River.
Early History
One of the first Europeans known to settle in Wassaic was Richard Sackett. In 1703, he asked the government for permission to buy land in "Washiack." Richard Sackett later became the first clerk of Dutchess County in 1715.
Wassaic's Role in Industry
By the 1770s, Wassaic was an important place for making steel. Workers here would take pig iron from a nearby town called Ancram. They would then turn this iron into steel. This process continued into the early 1800s. The steel made in Wassaic was used for tools, like scythes, which are tools for cutting grass.
Wassaic During the Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, a very important event happened in Wassaic. General George Washington, who led the American army, marched through the hamlet. He was on his way to Connecticut.
19th Century Businesses
In the 1800s, Wassaic had several major employers. The Gridley Iron Works was one of them. Another big employer was the Harlem division of the New York and Harlem Railroad. This railroad helped connect Wassaic to other places.
In 1861, a man named Gail Borden opened a factory in Wassaic. He made a special kind of condensed milk. This milk did not need to be kept cold, which was very helpful. It became an important food supply for soldiers during the American Civil War. Today, this condensed milk is still sold as Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. Wassaic was also known for its farms. Farmers raised dairy cows, sheep, and grew grains.
The Wassaic Project
Today, Wassaic is home to The Wassaic Project. This is a special organization that supports arts and music. It is a non-profit group, meaning it works for the community, not for profit. The Wassaic Project offers summer programs for people to enjoy. It also has an artist in residence program. This program allows artists to live and work in Wassaic for a period of time.
Transportation
Wassaic station is the last stop on the Harlem Line of Metro-North Railroad. This train line connects Wassaic to New York City. The station used to be right in the hamlet. However, it was moved about a mile north of the main area.
The station also gives people access to the Harlem Valley Rail Trail. This is a paved path built on an old railroad track. The train tracks were removed in 1983. Because of this, passenger trains cannot go past Wassaic anymore. The rail trail is a great place for walking, running, and biking.
