Watertown New York NY Warrant Search

Watertown (city), New York Watertown is a city in the State of New York and the county seat of Jefferson County. It is situated approximately 20 miles south of the Thousand Islands. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 26,705. The U.S. Army post Fort Drum is near the city.Named after the many falls located on the Black River, the city developed early in the 19th century as a manufacturing center. From years of generating industrial wealth, in the early 20th century the city was said to have more millionaires per capita than any other city in the nation. Residents of Watertown built a rich public and private architectural legacy. It is the smallest city to have a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the celebrated landscape architect who created Central Park in New York City.Geographically, Watertown is located in the central part of Jefferson County. It lies 72.0 miles or 115.8 kilometres northeast of Syracuse, New York and 31 miles or 49.8 kilometers south of the Ontario border. The city is served by Watertown International Airport.The city is known as the birthplace of the Five and dime, the safety pin, and is the home of Little Trees car fresheners. It manufactured the first portable steam engine. It has the longest continually operating county fair in the United States and holds the Red and Black football franchise, the oldest surviving semi-professional team in the United States. History The city of Watertown was settled in 1800 by pioneers from New Hampshire, most notably Hart Massey, Henry Coffeen, and Zachariah Butterfield, part of a large migration into New York from New England after the Revolutionary War. These pioneers chose the area due to the Black River. The pioneers' vision was for an industrial center that would draw power from the Black River. All the land was rough and unclear. Elevation was also a problem. The western end of the town was 12 to 15 feet higher than the eastern end, with a large depression in the middle. A small stream also passed through the town.Within a few years, the center of town was cleared for the ambitious Public Square. Together with the 19th century structures that created a streetscape around it, this has been designated a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As industry and businesses flourished, residents built substantial retail buildings, churches and private residences. The Paddock Arcade, built in 1850 according to European and US models, is the oldest continuously operating enclosed mall in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as are several significant churches and private mansions.The drop in the Black River at Watertown's location provided abundant water power for early industry. By the mid-19th century, entrepreneurs had built paper mills and major industries, including the first portable steam engine in 1847. In 1851, the city was joined to the state by the railroad. Other mills rapidly joined the business base and generated revenue to support early public works projects like the water system and illuminating gas works in 1853, and a telephone system in 1879.Watertown claims that Rodman native Frank W. Woolworth conceived the idea of his mercantile chain while working there in 1878. Woolworth, employed as a clerk in Moore's Store, set up a successful clearance display of low-priced items. This led to his idea of a store specializing in fixed-price, cut-rate merchandise. Woolworth left Watertown and opened his first store in Utica, New York in 1879.Among the many manufacturing businesses was the Davis Sewing Machine Company, which originated in Watertown. It was predecessor to George P. Huffman's Huffy Corporation (NYSE: HUF), now an American maker of bicycles and other sporting goods.In 1805 Watertown became the county seat of Jefferson County, New York, and it was made an incorporated Village in 1816. In 1869, Watertown was incorporated as a city. In 1920, the city adopted a city manager style of government. The Jefferson County Courthouse Complex is an example of the substantial architecture of the city, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. An early industrial city that earned great wealth for many of its citizens by the turn of the 20th century, Watertown also developed an educated professional class of doctors and lawyers.A number of factors affected Watertown's progress. The economic center of the country kept moving west and Chicago drew off many of its younger people for business and professional opportunities. Industrial technology shifted and jobs changed. In the deindustrialization of the mid-20th century, Watertown suffered economic and population declines.The city has been working in recent decades to redevelop its downtown and revive the heart of the city. It is capitalizing on its rich architectural heritage, compact and walkable retail center, and well-designed residential areas.Today the city serves as the commercial and financial center for a large rural area. It is the major community closest to Fort Drum and the post's large population. Since the city is located just 25 miles from the international boundary via the Thousand Islands Bridge, shopping by Canadian visitors is an important part of the local economy. Notable residents Notable people born in or who have resided in Watertown:Arthur Shawcross, serial killer Dr. Delos Cosgrove, chief heart surgeon for the Cleveland Clinic Samuel Beardsley,New York State Attorney General1836- 1839 Albert Bouchard, drummer for and co-founding member of popular rock bandBlue Öyster Cult Joe Bouchard, bassist for and co-founding member of popular rock bandBlue Öyster Cult, brother of Albert Bouchard Rocco Canale, NFL player for Philadelphia Eagles 1944-1949 Reginald Case, artist Allen Dulles, director of theCentral Intelligence Agency John Foster Dulles, U.S. Secretary of State Frederick Exley, author ofA Fan's Notes, 1968, and other works Leonard J. Farwell, businessman andWisconsingovernor Paul Finkelman, historian Roswell P. Flower, governor ofNew York1892 - 1895 Oscar S. Gifford, lawyer andSouth Dakotapolitician Eric Greif, lawyer andheavy metal musicpersonality Richard Grieco, actor, model, singer, former college football athlete Robert Guinan, painter Vic Hanson, athlete, enshrined in both theBasketball Hall of Fame(1960) and theCollege Football Hall of Fame(1973). Serranus Clinton Hastings, founded theHastings College of the LawatUniversity of California. Mary-Margaret Humes, actress Robert Lansing, U.S. Secretary of State Marcus Mastin, mystery author Dick May, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Tim McCreadie, NASCAR Nationwide series driver Eugene Mosher, a pioneer of human-computer interaction best known for inventing the graphic touchscreen point-of-sale computer Viggo Mortensen, star of theThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy Denis O'Brien,New York State Attorney General1883 - 1887 Natalie Oliveros, pornographic actress known under the stage nameSavanna Samson Sean Paddock, musician Kyle Puccia, Billboard charting singer/songwriter Charles H. Sawyer, former governor ofNew Hampshire Siraj A. Sindhu, Scripps National Spelling Bee participant Maggie Rizer, supermodel & AIDS Activist Frank W. Woolworth, founder ofF. W. Woolworth Company/Five and Dime stores. Charles W. Yost, U.S. Ambassador to theUnited Nations Zina D. H. Young, leader inthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsand social activist Scott D. Pierce, prominent Utah journalist Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.3 sq mi(24.0 km²). 9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²) of it is land and 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) of it (3.45%) is water.The Black River flows westward through the city toward Lake Ontario. The Black River is a world-renowned kayaking destination. Competition-level kayaking events, such as the Blackwater Challenge, have been held on the river.By tradition, the city's name was derived from the abundant water power available from the river. Businesses harnessed water power to create one of the early industrial centers in New York. Paper mills were historically a major industry for the city and contributed to its 19th century wealth.Jefferson Community College (JCC) is located in the western part of the city near the fairgrounds. Demographics As of the census of 2000, there were 26,705 people, 11,036 households, and 6,500 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,981.3/sq mi (1,150.8/km²). There were 12,450 housing units at an average density of 1,389.9/sq mi (536.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.13% White, 4.95% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 1.67% from other races, and 2.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.59% of the population. In 2009, the population was estimated at 27,489.There were 11,036 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 34.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.99.In the city the population was spread out with 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.4% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.The median income for a household in the city was $28,429, and the median income for a family was $36,115. Males had a median income of $31,068 versus $21,294 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,354. About 14.4% of families and 19.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 11.8% of those age 65 or over. Education Watertown is served by the Watertown City School District. The elementary schools are North, Ohio, Knickerbocker, Sherman and Starbuck. H.T Wiley Intermediate School, Case Middle School and Watertown High School. Jefferson Community College is a two year college located in the city as well. Points of Interest New York State Zoo at Thompson Park. Founded in 1920, the mission of the New York State Zoo is to promote the conservation of wildlife and wild places by helping community members build positive sustainable relationships with nature. The zoo offers special events, classes, parties and picnics. Burrville Cider Mill. The Burrville Cider Mill is one of Jefferson County's oldest establishments. The structure, formerly known as Burr's Mills, was built in 1801 and was originally used as a sawmill and a gristmill. The Mill is located at the headwaters of the North Branch of the Sandy Creek on a 30-foot waterfall that was used to turn a turbine that powered the Mill equipment. Hudson River Rafting Company offers rafting trips on 4 rivers the Hudson, Sacandaga, Black Moose Rivers and over three seasons. Specializing in group rafting trips, they offer rafting to school groups, scouts, corporate outings, religious groups, camp groups and family reunions. Major Highways and Roads that serve the Greater Watertown Area One Interstate Highway runs through the Watertown area: Interstate 81I-81 is a north-south route that runs from nearDandridge, Tennesseenorth toHill Island, Ontario, connecting via theThousand Islands Bridgeand a shortconnecting roadtoHighway 401across the Canadian border. Interstate 81 passes just to the west of the city of Watertown, nearSalmon Run Mall. One US Highway runs through the Greater Watertown area: U.S. Route 11US 11 runs from easternNew Orleans, Louisianato its northern terminus at the Canadian border inRouses Point, New York. US 11 runs north-south through the City of Watertown. Many highways converge on the city, NY-3, NY-12, and NY-12F.New York State Routes: New York State Route 3NY 3 is an east-west route that begins inSterling, NYand heads north and east to Watertown. NY 3 interchanges with I-81 at the city line. NY 3 heads east into Watertown, overlapping with both US 11 and NY 12 through downtown prior to leaving the city to the northeast to head through theAdirondackstoPlattsburgh. New York State Route 12NY 12 is a north-south route through the city, extending northward toClaytonthen following theSt. Lawrence SeawaytoMorristown, New York. A spur, NY 12E, takes a slightly-longer path throughCape Vincent, New Yorkbefore rejoining NY 12. New York State Route 12FNY 12F is a spur connecting NY 12 in downtown Watertown toNY 180near theWatertown International AirportinDexter. The local newspaper, the Watertown Daily Times, is published 7 days a week and services Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Lewis County. The Fort Drum Mountaineer is a weekly newspaper for Fort Drum soldiers and their dependents. Watertown in popular culture Watertown was the given setting for the 1990Bette Midlerfilm 'Stella'. While the movie was filmed in Ontario, several local items were imported to appear in the film, including the local daily newspaper, taxi-cabs and shopping bags from the locally owned Empsall's department store. Little Treesair fresheners were invented in Watertown in 1951; now the city is home to the Car-Freshner Corporation headquarters and manufacturing plant. Harry Chapinmade a famous quote—'I spent a week there one afternoon'—about Watertown. His song 'A Better Place to Be' was inspired by a story he heard in Watertown. Chapin mentioned both the quote and the origin of the song on his 1976 albumGreatest Stories Live. Frank Sinatramade a 1970 album calledWatertown. It charts the story of a middle-aged man in Watertown, New York, whose wife has left him with his children. In 2005'sRobots, the fictional town ofRivet Townis based on Watertown, whereRobotsdirectorChris Wedgelived during his teens. In April 2009's 'selfish' episode of Law and Order SVU there was a mention of Watertown and Evans Mills as a wanted man had escaped to a cabin there. The episode showed much of the surrounding area including areas North where the show chased the criminal to Canada.