Gloversville, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Gloversville, New York
settlement_type = City
nickname = Gvill
motto =

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pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Fulton
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
leader_name =
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leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 13.2
area_land_km2 = 13.2
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 5.1
area_land_sq_mi = 5.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 15413
population_density_km2 = 1168.7
population_density_sq_mi = 3027.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 250
elevation_ft = 820
latd = 43 |latm = 3 |lats = 9 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 20 |longs = 34 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12078
area_code = 518
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-29443
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0951265
website =
footnotes =

Gloversville is a city in Fulton County, New York, that was once the hub of America's glovemaking industry. In 2000, it had a population of 15,413.

History

The region, known as "Kingsborough" was acquired by Sir William Johnson, later to become one of the most important officials in New York. In 1752, Arent Stevens bought land that included the site of the future city.

The location became a settlement for Puritans from New England at the end of the 18th Century. At first this town was called "Stump City" because after the land was cleared for development there were the stumps left from the trees.

The proximity of forests to supply bark for tanning made the community a center of leather production early in its history. After this, it earned its name for being the centre of the U.S. glove making industry for many years. Upon the establishment of a United States Post Office in 1828, Gloversville became the official name of the community. At one time, during the heyday of glove production in the middle 20th century, Gloversville's factories and shops produced one out of every three gloves in the world. Gloves are still produced in Gloversville, on a much smaller scale, as the glove industry has moved primarily overseas.

During most of the late 19th and 20th centuries Gloversville, along with neighboring Johnstown, were referred to as the Glove and Leather capital of the World. Many large tanneries and glove shops employed nearly 80% of the residents of these "Glove Cities" and their surrounding communities. There are still remnants of the once proud and massive industry seen in the form of old industrial buildings. Many homes in the area once housed components of the business. Home workers sewed the gloves from leather that had been cut in factories. Every aspect of the industry was supported and supplied by fringe businesses such as box makers, sewing machine repairmen, thread dealers and more.

Although the current roster of glovers, tanners and leather dressers is just a mere shadow of the once booming industry, most current residents can trace back several generations of involvement with the "Glove Cities" tradition. Today, the Fulton County Museum houses a display to allow locals and visitors to remember the once dominating craft of those that made Gloversville and the surrounding area a world renowned centre of glove making.

The community was incorporated as a village in 1851.

The current mayor of Gloversville is Timothy Hughes, who began his four-year term on January 1, 2006.

Notable residents

Legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn lived here prior to his moving to Hollywood. Before Gloversville, he lived in New York City after moving from Poland and migrating through Canada. While he was living in Gloversville, his last name was Goldfish.

This is also the main headquarters for the Schine movie industry. They revered The Glove Theatre as the favorite of all of the movie houses that they owned. Hollywood movies would sometimes premier in Gloversville, before they were opened in California.

Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Russo ("Empire Falls","Nobody's Fool"."The Risk Pool") was raised in Gloversville. The city and its residents were the inspiration for many of his characters and locations in his novels; especially his novel "Mohawk." Actress Elizabeth Anne Allen, who played Amy Madison on Buffy the Vampire Slayer was also raised in Gloversville.

Frederick Remington, artist, was a one-time resident.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.1 square miles (13.2 km²), of which 0.20% is water.

New York State Route 29A (Fulton Street) is an east-west road through the city. New York State Route 30A is a north-south highway through the east side of the city. Another north-south highway, New York State Route 309 (Bleecker Street) terminates its southern reach at NY-29A in Gloversville.

The Cayadutta Creek flows southward through the city, which is southwest of the Great Sacandaga Lake.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 15,413 people, 6,500 households, and 3,828 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,027.0 people per square mile (1,169.2/km²). There were 7,540 housing units at an average density of 1,480.8/sq mi (571.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.37% White, 1.86% African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.67% of the population.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,755, and the median income for a family was $34,713. Males had a median income of $27,109 versus $21,250 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,207. About 14.9% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.6% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Gloversville High School is the only high school in Gloversville and serves grades 9 through 12.

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofgloversville.com City of Gloversville webpage]
* [http://town-court.com/getTownCourt.php?courtID=226 Gloversville City Court info]
* [http://www.albany.edu/history/histmedia/engel1.html The 1914 glove strike]
* [http://www.leaderherald.com/News/articles.asp?articleID=16308 Judge rules in city police chief’s favor]

Bibliography

*"Shtetl in the Adirondacks: The Story of Gloversville and Its Jews", Herbert M. Engel, (Purple Mountain Press, 1991