Glens Falls, New York

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City of Glens Falls
Nickname: Hometown U.S.A.
Glens Falls, New York located in southern Warren County in eastern New York State.
Glens Falls, New York located in southern Warren County in eastern New York State.
Coordinates: 43°18′44″N 73°38′54″W / 43.31222, -73.64833
Country United States
State New York
County Warren
Incorporated 1907
Government
 - Mayor Roy Akins
Area [1]
 - City  3.9 sq mi (10.2 km²)
 - Land  3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²)
 - Water  0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
 - Urban  35.35 sq mi (91.55 km²)
Population (2000)
 - City 14,354
 - Density 3,752.2/sq mi (1,477.0/km²)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 - Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Website: http://www.cityofglensfalls.com

Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, USA. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,354 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the large waterfall in the Hudson River at the southern base of the city.

The City of Glens Falls is located in the southeast corner of Warren County, surrounded by the Town of Queensbury to the North, East, and West, and by the Hudson River and Saratoga County to the South. Glens Falls is known as "Hometown U.S.A.", a title given to it by Look Magazine in 1944. The city has also referred to itself as the "Empire City."[2]

Contents

[edit] History

The area was originally called Chepontuc (Iroquois; "difficult place to get around"), also referred to as the "Great Carrying Place," but was renamed The Corners by settlers.[2] In 1766 it was renamed Wing's Falls for Abraham Wing, leader of the group of Quakers that established the permanent settlement. Wing's claim to the name of the village was transferred to Colonel Johannes Glen of Schenectady in 1788, either on collection of a debt, as a result of a game of cards, or in exchange for hosting a party for mutual friends, depending on which local legend is believed.[3][4][2] Colonel Glen was delighted to change the name of the town to Glen's Falls, sometimes spelled "Glenn's", which was later abbreviated to Glens Falls.

A post office was established in 1808.[2] Glens Falls became an incorporated village in 1839[2], and was re-incorporated in 1874 and 1887. The city charter was granted in 1908[5] at which time, the city became a separate entity from the Town of Queensbury into which it had formerly been incorporated as its largest village.

As a halfway point between Forts Edward and William Henry, the falls was the site of several battles during the French-Indian War and the Revolutionary War. The hamlet was mostly destroyed by fire twice during the latter conflict, forcing the Quakers to abandon the settlement until the war ended in 1783. Fire also ravaged the town in 1864, 1884, and 1902.[2]

[edit] Historic and Noteworthy Sites in Glens Falls

The Oldest Building in Glens Falls - In 1864 there was a massive fire that destroyed most of buildings in the central business district. The oldest building in Glens Falls, located in the downtown area, is one of the few buildings in the city that predates 1864. The stone and brick structure at the bottom of the hill was erected circa 1815 and served as Calvin Robbin's Blacksmith Shop.

The Feeder Canal - Across from this historic canal is a hydro-electric power-plant on the Hudson River at Glens Falls. The canal was created circa 1820 to feed water into the Champlain Canal. During the early 19th Century the New York State Canal System served a crucial portion of the state's economy. In Glens Falls, lime, marble, lumber, and agricultural products were shipped from the docks at the base of Canal Street.

Fort Amherst Road - Located near this road is the location where Fort Amherst once was. The fort is no longer extant, however portions of the wood foundations were known as late as 1880. The fort constituted a block house marking the half-way point on the road between Fort Ann and Fort William Henry at the head of Lake George. This Fort system, erected by the British, was built to secure the northern territories of the colony from incursions from the French during the French and Indian War. A restored fort house complex is available for viewing in the nearby town of Fort Ann.

Civil War Monument - A limestone obelisk located in the intersection of Glen, South, and Bay streets, only soldiers from the Civil War are listed on the monument. Many battles of the war are listed.

Quaker Meeting House - The Quaker Meeting House, an Italianate edifice on Ridge St. was built in 1875, and originally contained no heating system.

DeLong House - Presently the home of the Glens Falls/Queensbury Historical Association and the Chapman Historical Museum. A Greek Revival and Second Empire edifice on the corner of Glen and Bacon Streets. A Queen Anne style Carriage Barn also sits on the property.

Glens Falls Hospital - Founded in the summer of 1897 by a group of twelve local physicians, the Glens Falls Hospital was meant to serve the entire Upper Hudson River Valley. Solomon A. Parks generously donated his home in Glens Falls for the original hospital. The present structure has been extensively modified, enlarged, and modernized several times to better serve the needs of the community, and currently serves as the fast-response trauma center for the region. The hospital is now the area's biggest employer.[6]

Charles R. Wood Theater - This theater opened in 2003 on Glen Street, in the heart of Glens Falls. A former Woolworth store for years, it is now the home of the Adirondack Theatre Festival during the summer months, and introduces culture and theatre into the surrounding community. The theater is named for the late Mr. Wood, who was a successful local entrepreneur and founder of The Great Escape theme park, located between Glens Falls and Lake George.

The Hyde Collection - The center among a triplet of revival type residences constructed for the daughters of Samuel Pruyn, the Hyde is today a world class museum of European, American, and contemporary art. The principal collection is presented in its original domestic context as a private collection. [1]

First Presbyterian Church - The fifth house of worship of this Congregation chartered in 1803 was constructed in 1929. A gothic revival design by Ralph Adams Cram, is among the most outstanding buildings in Glens Falls. Cram was also contracted subsequently by St. Mary's Parish to design the Academy building of the same name on Warren Street.[2]

Crandall Public Library - While the library had existed since 1893, it did not have its own permanent home until 1931, with the completion of the library building in City Park, on property willed to the library by local entrepreneur Henry Crandall. The building was designed by Charles A. Platt; it was renovated and expanded in 1969, and in 2007 will again be renovated and expanded. The library is a part of the Southern Adirondack Library System.[7]

[edit] Mayors of Glens Falls

Glens Falls City Hall
Glens Falls City Hall
  • Charles W. Cool 1908-10
  • Samuel D. Kendrick 1910-11
  • W. Irving Griffing 1912-15, 1920-21
  • Edward Reed 1916-20 (died in office)
  • Julius Jacobson 1920
  • Charles W. Cool 1922-24
  • Charles H. Hitchcock 1924-25
  • Orville C. Smith 1926-31
  • Earle H. Stickney 1932-33, 1936-39
  • W. Irving Griffing 1934-35
  • John Bazinet 1940-49
  • Milton G. Tibbitts 1950-51, 1954-57
  • J. Ward Russell 1952-53, 1958-61
  • Harry Helm 1962-63
  • James E. Wallace 1964-65
  • James Donnelly 1966-69
  • Robert J. Cronin 1970-77
  • Edward M. Bartholomew 1978-85
  • Francis X. O'Keefe 1986-93
  • Vincent J. DeSantis 1994-97
  • Robert A. Regan 1998-2005
  • LeRoy Akins 2006-

[edit] Noteworthy Persons

Having been born or resided in Glens Falls:

[edit] Geography

Glens Falls is located at 43°18′44″N, 73°38′54″W (43.312104, -73.648250).GR1

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.2 km² (3.9 mi²). 9.9 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (2.54%) is water.

The city is located on the Hudson River, in the Adirondack foothills, at the border of Saratoga County, New York.

[edit] Demographics

City Park
City Park

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 14,354 people, 6,267 households, and 3,415 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,447.0/km² (3,752.2/mi²). There were 6,811 housing units at an average density of 686.6/km² (1,780.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.54% White, 1.30% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.

There were 6,267 households out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.5% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 31.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,222, and the median income for a family was $42,266. Males had a median income of $29,283 versus $21,606 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,137. About 12.0% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Industry

CR Bard, a manufacturer of medical devices, is the second-largest employer in the region (after the Glens Falls Hospital).[6]

Glens Falls is home to a regional office of the Boston Scientific Corporation.

Danfloss Flomatic Corporation is headquartered on Pruyn's Island in Glens Falls. The company is a leading manufacturer of industrial and municipal valves.

Finch Pruyn & Company, headquartered at the base of Glen Street hill, is a major regional employer and a manufacturer of specialty paper and forest products. It is by far the largest taxpayer in the City of Glens Falls, owning property assessed at $60-million in 2006, according to city records and as reported in The Chronicle. In mid-June 2007, Finch Pruyn & Company announced it had sold all of its assets, including 161,000 acres of forestland in the Adirondacks, to Atlas Holdings of Greenwich, Conn. Atlas then turned around and sold all of the forestland to The Nature Conservancy.

The Glens Falls Cement company is now a part of Lehigh Northeast, itself a division of HeidelbergCement, one of the world's largest cement producers.

Arrow Financial Corporation, headquartered downtown is a publicly traded multi-bank holding company for Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company (1851) and Saratoga National Bank and Trust Company.

Evergreen Bank, N.A., formerly the First National Bank of Glens Falls, originated in 1853, and is now owned by banking conglomerate TD Banknorth.

[edit] Media

The Post Star is a daily newspaper printed in Glens Falls with a circulation of approximately 31,500 (34,500 on Sundays).[8][9] The paper, currently owned by Iowa-based Lee Publications, covers Glens Falls and Saratoga as well as the surrounding towns. It has been continuously published since 1909.

The Chronicle is a free weekly newspaper, with a summer distribution up to 37,000. Circulation at other times of the year ranges from 25,000 to 31,000.[10] Locally owned by founder and Glens Falls native Mark Frost and published since 1980, the paper is widely distributed to many surrounding communities. Its parent company, Lone Oak Publishing, also publishes books and a number of local magazines. The paper also sponsors a book fair every October.

TV8 is an independent television station broadcasting from downtown studios. It features a variety of locally produced programming, including a nightly weekday news program, North News 8, anchored by former CNBC anchor Kevin McCullough.

Network TV stations are also available from the Albany/Schenectady/Troy DMA of which Glens Falls is part. Networks include ABC, CBS, CW, FOX, NBC, PBS and many cable networks made available by Time Warner Cable.

Local radio broadcasters include: WWSC 1450 AM, WLJH 90.7 FM, WGFR 92.7 FM (college radio station), WCQL 95.9 FM, WCKM 98.5 FM, WKBE 100.3 FM, WNYQ 101.7 FM, and WFFG 107.1 FM. WAMC 90.3 FM is the public radio station.

[edit] Transportation

Rail
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Glens Falls at the station in nearby Fort Edward, operating its Adirondack daily in both directions between Montreal and New York City. Amtrak has designated the stop as Fort Edward-Glens Falls.

Bus
Regular bus service is provided by the Greater Glens Falls Transit System. The system serves the greater region in Glens Falls and Queensbury six days a week. Greyhound Lines provides national service with a terminal on Elm Street.

Air
Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport(IATA: GFL, ICAO: KGFL), formerly the Warren County Airport, provides convenient access to the Glens Falls region for small and charter aircraft.

[edit] Schools

Glens Falls High School is located at 10 Quade Street near Sherman Avenue in Glens Falls, New York. The school has been recently renovated and modernized with a new third floor addition, new rooms, and new computers. It features a Spanish and French department, a science department (Biology, Chemistry, Forensics, Earth Science, Physics, etc.), a History and Social Sciences department (Global Studies, World War II, AP European History, etc.), Business (Keyboarding, Business Law, Accounting), and an Art and Music department. There is also a middle school and five neighborhood elementary schools, as well as an independent public school, Abraham Wing (named for the village founder).

The Glens Falls City High School has a variety of athletic activities, most notable of which are the basketball team, lacrosse, soccer, ice hockey, track & field, football, and field hockey. Other programs include tennis, wrestling, cross country running, bowling, swimming & diving, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, softball and baseball.

All GFHS Athletic teams carry the name "Indians." (Glens Falls Indians). The boys' basketball team were state finalists in 2003 and 2007.

[edit] Literary & Film References

Glens Falls and the natural formation of the bedrock beneath it served as inspiration to James Fenimore Cooper in his historical novel The Last of the Mohicans.

Glens Falls is referred to in Jim Harrison's Legends of the Fall.

Ian Fleming's novel The Spy Who Loved Me features scenes in Glens Falls.

Julia Spencer-Fleming's mystery A Fountain Filled with Blood mentions Glens Falls Hospital.

The 1982 film Basket Case was partially filmed in Glens Falls.[11]

In The Sopranos, Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco) briefly mentions Glens Falls in the final season.

[edit] Regional Events

The Adirondack Balloon Festival
A balloon festival has been held in the Glens Falls area, with events at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport and Crandall Park, in mid to late September every year since 1973. Organized by local resident Walt Grishkot, the event is free to the public, and generally lacks commercialism.

Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC) Festival
The LARAC June Arts Festival is considered the first major summer event in the Glens Falls region and it draws crowds of more than 25,000. With the juried art and craft show as its centerpiece, the LARAC June Arts Festival also offers live entertainment by regional performers, food concessions by local non-profits, and activities for the whole family. It is free and open to the public, 10 am-5 pm both days and is held rain or shine.[5]

[edit] Civic Facilities

The Glens Falls Civic Center opened in 1979 and hosts sports and entertainment events in downtown Glens Falls. This versatile multi-purpose complex includes an arena for sporting events, concerts, family activities, dance, theater and trade shows as well as banquet facilities. The Civic Center includes 4,806 permanent arena seats focused on an ice hockey/basketball-type arena and the ability to accommodate an audience of up to 7,800 people for concerts and other events. The Civic Center is home to the New York State Boys' Public High School Basketball Tournament and the Federation Basketball Tournament of Champions as well as The Adirondack Stampede, a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned, charity, rodeo.

The Glens Falls YMCA features many different recreational activities for people of all ages. The YMCA is currently undergoing construction and renovations to make it better than ever. Plans have been made for the addition of an indoor running track, a new swimming pool for non-competitive swimmers, a youth fitness center, and more. The expansion will be done in three phases. The first phase includes an arts and crafts room, youth fitness center, and group exercise and family activity rooms. Phase two is the construction of the indoor track, and phase three the new Lifetime Pool, which will have shallower, warmer water for the elderly and small children. Phase one and two are now complete, and Phase three has not yet started. The YMCA has received about 250 grants from individuals, foundations, and companies to cover the cost of the expansion.

East Field is located in the east side of the city and is home to the Glens Falls Golden Eagles, of the New York Collegiate Baseball League; the Greenjackets semi-pro football team; and the Glens Falls High School Indians. It was also previously home to the Glens Falls White Sox and Glens Falls Tigers of the Eastern League, the Glens Falls Redbirds of the New York-Penn League and the Adirondack Lumberjacks of the Northeast League/Northern League East.

[edit] Sister Cities

[edit] References

  1. ^ US Census Bureau List of urbanized Areas
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glens Falls Historical Association (1978). Bridging The Years: Glens Falls, New York 1763-1978. Glens Falls, NY: Glens Falls Historical Association. ISBN 0-8081-3885-5. 
  3. ^ ARCC Welcome
  4. ^ History of Warren County, H. P. Smith - Chapter XXV: History of the Patent and Town of Queensbury - Part 2
  5. ^ Glens Falls Centennial
  6. ^ a b Adirondack Regional Chambers of Commerce: Top 25 Employers in the Glens Falls Region
  7. ^ Crandall Library History
  8. ^ Lee newspapers circulation figures
  9. ^ Times union current circulation figures story
  10. ^ Lone Oak Publishing website
  11. ^ IMDB entry for Basket Case

[edit] External links

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