kids encyclopedia robot

Webb, New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Webb, New York
Location within Herkimer County
Location within Herkimer County
Webb, New York is located in New York
Webb, New York
Webb, New York
Location in New York
Webb, New York is located in the United States
Webb, New York
Webb, New York
Location in the United States
Country United States
State New York
County Herkimer
Government
 • Type Town Council
Area
 • Total 484.36 sq mi (1,254.45 km2)
 • Land 452.34 sq mi (1,171.56 km2)
 • Water 32.00 sq mi (82.89 km2)
Elevation
1,732 ft (528 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 1,797
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code 36-043-78927
GNIS feature ID 0979613
Website https://www.townofwebbny.gov/

Webb (sometimes referred to as Webb Town) is the northernmost town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 Census it had a population of 1,797.

It is named after William Seward Webb, president of the Raquette Lake Transportation Company, the Fulton Chain Railway Company, Fulton Navigation Company, and the Mohawk and Malone Railway. The railroads in Webb were instrumental in opening the Adirondacks to the tourism rush of the mid-to-late 19th century. The Adirondack Railroad resumed tourist passenger service through the town in 2022.

History

Attempts were made to settle Webb circa 1800 and 1811, but both efforts failed due to extreme climate, harsh weather and poor land for farming. The first permanent settlers, Otis Arnold and family, arrived in approximately 1837 and began their try at the land. The Arnolds ultimately succeeded in cultivating and selling hay feed, vegetables, milk and fruit. Eventually, map makers and guidebooks made note of the settlement. The Arnolds opened their house as a hotel of sorts, and the area became known for its beautiful rivers, lakes and mountains.

In 1836, the town of Wilmurt was formed from parts of the towns of Ohio and Russia. Only the south part of Wilmurt was heavily settled. Webb was formed from the northern part of the now-defunct town of Wilmurt in 1896. Part of Wilmurt was returned to the town of Ohio.

When Dr. William Seward Webb's Mohawk and Malone Railway reached the town in 1892, it precipitated twenty years of prosperity from lumbering and tourism.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 484.3 square miles (1,254.3 km2), of which 452.3 square miles (1,171.4 km2) are land and 32.0 square miles (82.9 km2), or 6.61%, are water. Webb has the most land area of any town in New York State, although Brookhaven covers a larger area when including water.

Webb is in the Adirondack Park. One end of the Fulton Chain Lakes is located in the town. New York State Route 28 crosses the southern part of the town from west to east, passing through the communities of Old Forge and Thendara.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 920
1910 1,250 35.9%
1920 1,357 8.6%
1930 1,785 31.5%
1940 1,373 −23.1%
1950 1,308 −4.7%
1960 1,562 19.4%
1970 1,616 3.5%
1980 1,701 5.3%
1990 1,637 −3.8%
2000 1,912 16.8%
2010 1,807 −5.5%
2020 1,797 −0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

All data in this section is from the 2020 United States Census. As of 2020, there were 1,797 people, 685 households, and 659 families residing in the town. The racial makeup of the town was 94.37% White, 0.38% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.44% from other races, and 3.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.44% of the population.

There were 685 households, out of which 12% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 80.3% were married couples living together, and 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present. The average family size was 2.27.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 10.01% under the age of 18, 1.5% from 18 to 24, 22.59% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 33.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 56.5 years.

The median income for a household in the town was $102,873, and the median income for a family was $105,227. About 3.7% of the population were below the poverty line.

Settlements and geographical features

Settlements

  • Big Moose – A hamlet on County Route 1 west of Big Moose Lake.
  • Bisby Lodge – A historic location.
  • Brandreth – A location near the eastern town border.
  • Beaver River – A location the south side of Stillwater Reservoir.
  • Camp Rondaxe – A location near the junction of Routes NY-28 and 93.
  • Carter Station – A historic location.
  • Eagle Bay – A hamlet on the northern side of Fourth Lake at the junction of Routes 1 and 28.
  • Keepawa – A hamlet by the eastern town line.
  • Little Rapids – A location at the eastern end of the Stillwater Reservoir.
  • McKeever – A hamlet on Route 28 at the western town border.
  • Minnehaha – A hamlet near the western side of the town, east of McKeever on Route 28.
  • Moshier Falls – A hamlet on the western border of the town with Lewis County.
  • Mountain Lodge – A location on Route 118 southeast of Old Forge.
  • Old Forge – A hamlet on Route 28. Old Forge often records the lowest winter temperatures in New York. Old Forge is the principal community in the region, and, along with the adjacent community Thendara, forms an extensive business district.
  • Stillwater – A hamlet by Stillwater Reservoir.
  • Thendara – A hamlet on Route 28 immediately to the west of Old Forge.
  • Woods Lake – A hamlet in the northeastern part of the town.

Geographical features

Departments

Webb's public services include the Webb Police Department, the Department of Public Works, and the Highway Department.

Webb Police Department

The Webb Police Department provides law enforcement services for Town of Webb and is headed by Chief Ron Johnston. Upon a look into the public perception of the department in February of 2021, the Town of Webb government concluded that residents, overall, were "very pleased" and "highly complimentary of the members of the police departments and their performance and professionalism".

See also

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

kids search engine
Webb, New York Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.