Willsboro, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willsboro, New York
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Paine Memorial Library, built in 1930
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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 | 73.38 sq mi (190.06 km2) |
| • Land | 42.71 sq mi (110.62 km2) |
| • Water | 30.67 sq mi (79.44 km2) |
| Elevation | 128 ft (39 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 1,905 |
| • Density | 44.60/sq mi (17.22/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
12996
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| Area code(s) | 518 |
| FIPS code | 36-031-82271 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979643 |
Willsboro is a small town located in Essex County, New York, in the United States. It's about 30 miles south of the city of Plattsburgh. In 2020, about 1,905 people lived here. The town is named after an early landowner named William Gilliland.
Contents
Exploring Willsboro's Past
Early Days and Founding
Willsboro has a long history! During the American Revolution, British soldiers led by John Burgoyne even camped near the Bouquet River.
The first European settlers arrived in 1765. William Gilliland was the first to settle here. He originally called the area "Milltown" because he built a sawmill by the falls of the Bouquet River. After the Revolutionary War, the name was changed to "Willsborough" (later shortened to "Willsboro") to honor Gilliland.
Growing Industries and Important People
For a long time, Willsboro was known for its farms and for being a place where tourists liked to visit. But the Industrial Revolution also brought big changes.
One of the main employers in Willsboro was a paper mill. This mill made wood pulp, which is used to create paper. There was also an important limestone quarry (a place where stone is dug out of the ground). The stone from this quarry was used to build famous structures like the Albany State Capitol and the Brooklyn Bridge.
A notable resident was Augustus G. Paine, Jr., who owned a large paper business in Willsboro. He spent part of his year in Willsboro. He asked architect C. P. H. Gilbert to design the Essex County Bank in 1921. In 1930, Paine donated $150,000 to build a library for the town, honoring his mother. Both the bank and the library were built in a classic, grand style called Neoclassical. Paine also had a summer home called Flat Rock Camp built for his family by Lake Champlain.
Changes After World War II
After the Second World War, the paper industry started to slow down. When the paper mill closed in the 1960s, Willsboro faced some tough times. To help the town's economy, people focused on tourism. They highlighted the beautiful scenery, the lake, and the wild areas that visitors loved.
More recently, new businesses have come to Willsboro. These include a mine for a mineral called wollastonite, companies that make curtains and furniture, and many internet-based service companies. Willsboro is also becoming a place where people live and then travel to work in the nearby city of Plattsburgh.
Several historic buildings and places in Willsboro are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Adsit Log House, Abraham Aiken House, Flat Rock Camp, Ligonier Point Historic District, Sheldon–Owens Farm, Willsboro Congregational Church, and The Willsboro School.
Willsboro's Natural Surroundings
Land and Water Features
Willsboro covers a total area of about 73.38 square miles (190.1 square kilometers). A large part of this area, about 41.80%, is water.
The eastern border of the town is Lake Champlain, which also forms the border with the state of Vermont. The Boquet River flows through the town and empties into Lake Champlain, just east of Willsboro village.
New York State Route 22 is a main highway that runs north and south through Willsboro.
People of Willsboro
Population Over Time
Willsboro has seen its population change over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived in the town during different census years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 888 | — | |
| 1830 | 1,316 | 48.2% | |
| 1840 | 1,658 | 26.0% | |
| 1850 | 1,932 | 16.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,519 | −21.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,719 | 13.2% | |
| 1880 | 1,450 | −15.6% | |
| 1890 | 1,568 | 8.1% | |
| 1900 | 1,522 | −2.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,580 | 3.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,684 | 6.6% | |
| 1930 | 1,612 | −4.3% | |
| 1940 | 1,780 | 10.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,646 | −7.5% | |
| 1960 | 1,716 | 4.3% | |
| 1970 | 1,688 | −1.6% | |
| 1980 | 1,759 | 4.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,736 | −1.3% | |
| 2000 | 1,903 | 9.6% | |
| 2010 | 2,025 | 6.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,905 | −5.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Community Life
In 2000, there were 1,903 people living in Willsboro. Most residents were White. The average household had about 2.35 people.
The population included people of all ages. About 21.5% were under 18, and 20.4% were 65 or older. The average age in the town was 42 years old.
Famous Faces from Willsboro
- Sophie Clarke – She was the winner of the TV show Survivor: South Pacific.
- Hugh Pool – A talented blues musician and record producer.
Places to See in Willsboro
- Farrell Point – A piece of land that sticks out into the southern part of Willsboro Bay.
- Hatch Point – The northernmost part of the town, at the tip of Willsboro Point.
- Highland Forge Lake – A lake located near the northern border of the town, north of Long Pond.
- Jones Point/Flat Rock Point – A piece of land that extends into Lake Champlain, northeast of Willsboro village.
- Long Pond – A pond located near the northern border of the town.
- Pok-O-Maccready – A local summer camp that started in 1904. It's the oldest family-run camp in the United States.
- Reber – A small community (called a hamlet) in the southwestern part of the town, along County Road 14.
- Willsboro – This is the main village of Willsboro. It's in the eastern part of the town on NY-22, where the Boquet River flows into Lake Champlain. It's also a popular resort area.
- Willsboro Bay – A bay on Lake Champlain, located between Willsboro Point and the main land.
- Willsboro Point – A peninsula (land surrounded by water on three sides) that extends into Lake Champlain.
- Willsboro Point – Another small community (hamlet) located on the eastern shore of Willsboro Point, along County Road 27. The historic Edgewater Farm is located here.
Images for kids
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View of the Boquet River in Willsboro, New York, in the fall of 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Willsboro (Nueva York) para niños
