Wawarsing, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wawarsing, New York
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
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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 = Ulster
government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 346.7
area_land_km2 = 338.6
area_water_km2 = 8.1
area_total_sq_mi = 133.9
area_land_sq_mi = 130.7
area_water_sq_mi = 3.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 12889
population_density_km2 = 38.1
population_density_sq_mi = 98.6

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 367
elevation_ft = 1204
latd = 41 |latm = 44 |lats = 25 |latNS = N
longd = 74 |longm = 23 |longs = 59 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 12489
area_code = 845
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-78828GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0979609GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Wawarsing is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 12,889 at the 2000 census. The name is purported to mean "a place where the stream bends" in the Warwarsink language. [cite web |url=http://www.jrbooksonline.com/DOCs/van_buren_01.doc |title=Ulster County Under the Dutch |accessdate=2008-05-04 |format= |work= ]

The Town of Wawarsing is in the western part of the county. The town borders the Catskill Park, which lies to the north. US 209 crosses the town, passing through many principal communities. US 44 begins at a junction with 209 near the east town line.

History

The Lenape settlement "at Wawarasinke" was burned by Dutch militiamen, led by Maarten Crieger, after the Natives attacked Wiltwyck (present day Kingston) and took captives in 1663. In 1685 Waarner Hoornbeek leased land there and is accepted as it's first European settler. In 1703 the areas of Mombaccus and Wawarasink, Ulster County, were made The Town of Rochester. During The Revolutionary War Wawarsing, Napanoch and Pinebush (Kerhonkson area) where attacked by British raiders and many women and children were masacred and most of the farms burned. In 1806 Wawarsing, Napanoch, Laurenkill, Lackawack, and Greenfield joined together to form The Town of Wawarsing out of Southern Rochester and parts of un-incorporated Ulster County.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 133.9 square miles (346.7 km²), of which, 130.8 square miles (338.6 km²) of it is land and 3.1 square miles (8.1 km²) of it (2.32%) is water.

The western and southern borders of the Town is Sullivan County, New York.

The Northern part of the Town is the southern-most portion of The Catskill Mountains. The Eastern Border is one of the World's Last Great Places, The Shawangunk Ridge. Pronounced Sha-ong-ung. Rondout Creek passes through the town. As do the Sandburgh, the Laurenkill, Beerkill, Fantinekill and VerNooykill.

Communities and locations in Wawarsing

*East Wawarsing -- A hamlet southeast of Wawarsing village.
*Ellenville -- The Village of Ellenville is at the junction of Routes 52 and 209. The Town government building is located on Canal Street, Ellenville.
*Cragsmoor -- A hamlet in the south part of the town.
*Dairyland -- A hamlet near the western town line on Route 52.
*Greenfield Park -- A hamlet west of Ellenville on Route 52.
*Kerhonkson -- The hamlet is located by the northern town line.
*Honk Hill -- Located in Napanoch, near Honk Lake.
*Honk Lake -- A small lake south of Honk Hill.
*Kerhonkson -- A hamlet at the northeast town line on Route 209.
*Lackawack -- A hamlet northwest of Wawarsing village and at the edge of the Catskill Park.
*Minnewaska State Park -- A state park partly in the town.
*Napanoch -- A hamlet northeast of Ellenville on Route 209.
*Pine Bush -- A hamlet at the northeast town line.
*Potterville -- An abandoned community in the town.
*Rondout Reservoir -- A reservoir partly in the north part of the town.
*Sam's Point Preserve -- A nature preserve south of Ellenville.
*Spring Glen -- A hamlet by the south town line.
*The Cape -- A hamlet northwest of Ellenville on Route 52.
*Ulster Heights -- A hamlet in the western part of the town.
*Wawarsing -- The hamlet of Wawarsing is on Route 209.
*Yagerville -- An area near the Rondout Reservoir, too small to be a hamlet.

Notable residents

*Max Schubel, composer

References

External links

* [http://www.ellenvillejournal.com Town Paper of Wawarsing, The Ellenville Journal Newspaper]
* [http://ulstercountyrealtor.com/Town_Wawarsing.htm Wawarsing town information]
* [http://www.hopefarm.com/ulster1.htm Wawarsing historical information]
* [http://www.potterville.org/ Information about Potterville Ghost Town]