Amsterdam (city), New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Amsterdam, New York
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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imagesize =
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pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
pushpin_mapsize =


mapsize =
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mapsize1 =
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Montgomery
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Ann Thane (D)
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 16.3
area_land_km2 = 15.4
area_water_km2 = 0.9
area_total_sq_mi = 6.3
area_land_sq_mi = 5.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.3

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 18355
population_density_km2 = 1191.7
population_density_sq_mi = 3086.5

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 110
elevation_ft = 361
latd = 42 |latm = 56 |lats = 36 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 11 |longs = 25 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12010
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-02066
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0942450
website =
footnotes =

Amsterdam is a city located in Montgomery County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 18,355. The name is derived from the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

The City of Amsterdam is surrounded on the north, east, and west sides by the Town of Amsterdam and is on the banks of the Mohawk River. The majority of the city lies on the north bank, but the Port Jackson area on the south side is also part of the city, making it the only city in New York divided by the Mohawk.cite book | title = Historic Views of the Carpet City: Amsterdam, New York | publisher = Nero Publishing | location = Glenville |date=2005]

History

The city is within the original "Town of Caughnawaga" (now defunct), formed in northern Montgomery County in 1788.

The community was previously called "Veeders Mills" and "Veedersburgh," after an early mill owner, but was changed to "Amsterdam" in 1803.

The city was incorporated as a village in 1830 from a section of the Town of Amsterdam. New charters in 1854, 1865, and 1875 increased the size of the village. In 1885, Amsterdam became a city, which was subsequently increased in size again by annexation of the former "Village of Port Jackson," which became the fifth ward of the city.

The completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 was an economic boon to the city.

A dam on the Chuctenunda River, finished in 1875, allowed the city to become an important manufacturing area, primarily of carpets.

In 1920, the population of Amsterdam was 33,524.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.3 km²), of which, 5.9 square miles (15.4 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.9 km²) of it is water. The total area is 5.41% water.

The Mohawk River, along with the Erie Canal, passes through the south part of the city. The Chuctenunda River flows into the Mohawk at Amsterdam.

New York State Route 30, a north-south highway called Market Street in part, crosses the Mohawk River to link the main part of Amsterdam to the New York State Thruway. NY-30 also intersects east west highways New York State Route 5 and New York State Route 67 in the city. New York State Route 5S passes along the south side of the Mohawk River.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 18,355 people, 7,983 households, and 4,686 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,086.5 people per square mile (1,191.1/km²). There were 9,277 housing units at an average density of 1,560.0/sq mi (602.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.01% White, 2.17% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 4.79% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. 20.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 7,983 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 14.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.93.

Property taxes in this city and the surrounding county (Montgomery county)are some of the highest in the country compared to property values and income. Fact|date=February 2007

In the city the population was spread out with 24.3% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,517, and the median income for a family was $37,169. Males had a median income of $31,397 versus $23,681 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,680. 16.3% of the population and 12.4% of families were below the poverty line. 25.1% of those under the age of 18 and 12.4% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Economy

In the nineteenth century, the city of Amsterdam was known for carpet, textile, and pearl button manufacturing. It continued to be a center for carpet-making in the 20th century, when the Bigelow-Sanford and Mohawk Mills Carpet companies both were located in Amsterdam, but these companies have relocated to other regions. In the early 1980s, it was also the home of Coleco, makers of the ColecoVision, Cabbage Patch Kids and the Coleco Adam. Current industries include the Longview Fibre Co., [ [http://longfibre.com/mills/facilities/amsterdam.php Amsterdam, NY - Longview Fibre ] ] the Fownes Glove Co. and Fiber Glass Industries (FGI). [ [http://fiberglassindustries.com/ Fiber Glass Industries, Inc ] ]

The enclosed shopping center formerly known as the Amsterdam Mall is currently is called the Amsterdam Riverfront Center.

Amsterdams's former National Guard Armory, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is now a bed and breakfast inn called Amsterdam Castle. It has been used as a location in several ABC, HGTV, and movie productions. [ [http://amsterdamcastle.com/] ]

Mayors of Amsterdam

John Carmichael 1885
Harlan P. Kline 1886
Thomas Liddle 1887-88
John F. Dwyer 1889
Hicks B. Waldron 1890
William A. Breedon 1891-92
Charles S. Nisbet 1893
George R. Hannon 1894
William A. Fisher 1895-96
William H. Kafman 1897
Zerah S. Westbrook 1898-99
Samuel Wallin 1900-01
William A. Gardner 1902-03
Robert N. Clark 1904-05
Jacob H. Dealy 1906-09
Seely Conover 1910-11
Jacob H. Dealy 1912-13
James R. Cline 1914-17
Seely Conover 1918-19
Theron Akin 1920-23
Carl S. Salmon 1924-29
William A. Gardner 1930-31
Robert B. Brumagin 1932-33
Arthur Carter (D) 1934-43
Wilbur H. Lynch 1944-45
Dave R. Pabis 1946-47
Burtiss E. Deal 1948-55
Frank J. Martuscello (R) 1956-57
Thomas F. Gregg (D) 1958-59
Frank J. Martuscello (R) 1960-63
Marcus I. Breier (R) 1964-67
John P. Gomulka (D) 1968-79
Mario Villa (R) 1980-87
Paul Parillo (D) 1988-91
Mario Villa (R) 1992-1995
John M. Duchessi (D) 1996-2003
Joseph Emmanuelle (R) 2004-2008
Ann Thane (D) 2008-

Notable Amsterdamians

Notable natives or residents of Amsterdam include:
*Gary Aldrich, FBI agent assigned to the White House under Presidents George H.W. Bush and Clinton; author of a controversial book about the Clinton administration.
*Bruce Anderson (soldier), Medal of Honor recipient, American Civil War soldier
*Benedict Arnold (1780-1849), United States Congressman from New Yorkcite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago |date=1963]
*Felix J. Aulisi, New York Supreme Court Justice, Appellate Division
*Josh Beekman, NFL offensive guard (Chicago Bears)
*Matthias Bovee, born in Amsterdam, United States Congressman from New Yorkcite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago |date=1963]
*Lucille Bremer, actress
*Tim Buckley, Musician
*Todd Cetnar, played professional basketball in the United Kingdom
*Jessica Collins (Birth name: Jessica Capogna), actress
*Charles Dayan, born in Amsterdam, United States Congressman from New York and former Lieutenant Governor of New York
*Kirk Douglas, actor
*Mary Anne Krupsak, New York State Lieutenant Governor
*H. Edmund Machold, Speaker of the New York State Assembly
*Rocco Petrone, Apollo Program Director
*Todd Pettengill, former professional wrestling show host and announcer for World Wrestling Entertainment.
*David Pietrusza, author
*Lemuel Smith, convicted serial killer
*Bobby Stewart, former professional boxer who was 1974 National Boxing Champion and later became Mike Tyson's first trainer.
*Samuel S. Stratton, United States Congressman
*Alex Torres, Grammy Award-winning performer and bandleader, founder of Alex Torres and the Latin Kings [ [http://www.coppercityproductions.com/AlexTorres.html Alex Torres and the Latin Kings Orchestra] ]
*Ruth Zakarian (professional name Devon Pierce), actress on "The Young and the Restless"

Education

Public schools

Elementary

*William H. Barkley Elementary [http://gasd.neric.org/Barkley/crockwell/index.htm]
*William B. Tecler Elementary [http://gasd.neric.org/Tecler/crockwell/index.htm]
*Clara S. Bacon Elementary (Now Closed)
*Raphael J. McNulty Academy for International Studies and Literacy [http://gasd.neric.org/Mcnulty/crockwell/index.htm]
*Marie Curie Institute of Engineering & Communications [http://gasd.neric.org/Curie/CurieMain/index.htm]

econdary

*Wilbur H. Lynch Literacy Academy [http://gasd.neric.org/Lynch/LMSMain/lynchhome.htm]
*Amsterdam High School (part of the Greater Amsterdam School District, located in the Town of Amsterdam) [http://gasd.neric.org/Highschool/AHSMain/index.htm]

Private schools

*St. Stanislaus (Catholic, now closed)
*St. Mary's Institute
*Bishop Scully High School (Catholic, now closed)

Houses of worship

Calvary Assembly of God
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
[http://www.uscj.org/empire/amsterdam Congregation Sons of Israel] (Jewish)
Covenant Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)
First Reformed Church (Reformed)
Good Shepherd Church (Polish National Catholic)
Pilgrim Holiness Church
Salvation Army
Seventh-day Adventist Church
St. Ann's (Episcopal)
St. Casimir's (Roman Catholic)
St. John the Baptist's (Roman Catholic)
St. Luke's (Lutheran)
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic)
St. Michael the Archangel (Roman Catholic)
St. Nicholas (Ukrainian Catholic)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Catholic)
St. Stanislaus (Roman Catholic)
Segunda Sinagoga (Pentocostal)
The Time for Truth
Trinity Lutheran (Lutheran)
United Presbyterian Church (Presbyterian)

Cemeteries

*Greenhill Cemetery
*Saint Stanislaus Cemetery
*Fairview Cemetery

References

External links

* [http://www.Amsterdam-NY.com Amsterdam Business & Community Links]
* [http://www.davidpietrusza.com/Amsterdam.html David Pietrusza's Amsterdam]
* [http://www.recordernews.com The Recorder (Local Newspaper)]
* [http://www.gasd.org Greater Amsterdam School District]