Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 6,713, the second-largest in the county, following the nearby town of Kinderhook. Located on the east side of the Hudson River and 120 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, it was named for the river and its namesake explorer Henry Hudson.
Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County. Hudson is sister city with Pallisa, Uganda.
Video Hudson, New York
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (6.0 km2). 2.2 square miles (5.6 km2) of it is land and 0.15 square miles (0.4 km2), or 7.38%, is water.
Hudson is located 120 miles from New York Harbor, at the head of navigation on the Hudson River, on what originally was a spit of land jutting into the Hudson River between the South Bay and North Bay. Both bays have been largely filled in. Across the Hudson River lies the town of Athens in Greene County, New York; a ferry connected the two municipalities during much of the 19th century. Between them lies Middle Ground Flats, a former sandbar that grew due to both natural silting and also from dumping the spoils of dredging; today it is inhabited by deer and a few occupants of quasi-legal summer shanties. The Town of Greenport borders the other three sides of the city.
Maps Hudson, New York
Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,713 people, 2,766 households, and 1,368 families residing in the city. The population was estimated at 6,648 [6] in 2013. These numbers include the approximately 360 residents of the local Hudson Correctional Facility.
Population declines since the late 20th century may be attributable to demographic trends in which retirees, young couples, childless couples, singles, and weekenders have been gradually replacing larger families in the city. They have converted apartment buildings to single-family homes, and the number of unoccupied homes and rate of tax delinquency have declined.
The population density was 3,110.8 inhabitants per square mile (1,201.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.0% (55.5% Non-Hispanic) White, 25.0% African American, 0.4% Native American, 7.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander,and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.2% of the population.
There were 2,766 households out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 24.6% were married couples living together, 19.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.5% were non-families. 40.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city, the population was spread out with 22.5% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.5 years. For every 100 females there were 106.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,117, and the median income for a family was $37,400. Males had a median income of $26,274 versus $22,598 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,353. About 23.0% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.8% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.
History
The native Mahican people had occupied this territory for hundreds of years before European encounter, preceded by thousands of years of indigenous cultures. Dutch colonists began to settle here in the 17th century, calling it "Claverack Landing", having other settlements in Manhattan and at Albany, downriver and up, respectively. In 1662 some Dutch bought this area of land from the Mahican. It was originally part of the Town of Claverack.
After the English took over New Netherlands, this area was settled largely by Quaker New England whalers and merchants hailing primarily from the islands of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island. They capitalized on Hudson being at the head of navigation on the Hudson River and developed it as a busy port. Hudson was chartered as a city in 1785, soon after the United States achieved independence from Great Britain. The self-described "Proprietors" laid out a city grid. Hudson grew rapidly as an active port and came within one vote of being named by the state legislature as the capital of New York state, losing to Albany, an historic center of trade from the 17th century.
Hudson grew rapidly and by 1790 was the 24th-largest city in the United States. In 1820, it had a population of 5310, and ranked as the fourth-largest city in New York, after New York City, Albany and Brooklyn. Construction of the Erie Canal in 1824 drew development west in the state, stimulating development of cities related to Great Lakes trade, such as Rochester and Buffalo, although the Hudson River continued to be important to commerce.
During the 19th century, considerable industry was developed in Hudson, and the city became known as a factory town. It attracted new waves of immigrants and migrants to industrial jobs. Wealthy factory owners and merchants built fine houses in the Victorian period. Hudson obtained a new charter in 1895. It reached its peak of population in 1930, with 12,337 residents.
In 1935, to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the city, the United States Mint issued the Hudson Half Dollar. The coin is one of the most rare ever minted by the United States Government, with only 10,008 coins struck. On the front of the coin is an image of Henry Hudson's ship the Half Moon, and on the reverse is the seal of the city. Local legend has it that coin was minted on the direct order of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to thank the Hudson City Democratic Committee for being the first to endorse him for state senator and governor.
In the late 19th and first half of the 20th century, Hudson became notorious as a center of vice, especially gambling and prostitution. (The former Diamond Street is today Columbia Street.) At the peak of the vice industry, Hudson boasted more than 50 bars. These rackets were mostly broken up in 1951, after surprise raids of Hudson brothels by New York state troopers under orders from Governor Thomas E. Dewey netted several local policemen, among other customers.
After a steep economic decline in the 1960s and '70s, following the loss of jobs due to restructuring in the manufacturing sector, the city has undergone a significant revival. The economy has shifted to one based on tourism, services and related retail.
Attracted by its quality architecture, a group of antiques dealers opened shops on the city's main thoroughfare, Warren Street, in the mid-1980s. Among these were the Hudson Antiques Center, founded by Alain Pioton, and the English Antiques Center. In the early 21st century, the city has nearly seventy shops now, represented by the Hudson Antiques Dealers Association (HADA). The business revival stimulated tourism and attracted residents, some taking second homes in the city. It has become known for its active arts scene, restaurants, art galleries and nightlife, in addition to the antique shops.
In the early 21st century, Hudson has become a destination for gay people. Many have opened new businesses, moving here from larger urban areas, and have led the restoration of many of the city's historic houses. In 2010, Hudson High School made history when openly gay seniors, Charlie Ferrusi and Timmy Howard, were named prom king and queen. During the same year, Hudson hosted its first gay pride parade, which was attended by several hundred people.
With hundreds of properties listed or eligible to be listed in the State and National registers of historic places, Hudson has been called the "finest dictionary of American architecture in New York State". The vast majority of properties listed within the Hudson Historic District are considered to be contributing, attesting to their quality.
From late 1998 until spring 2005, a land use conflict took place here. St. Lawrence Cement (SLC), a subsidiary of what was then one of the world's largest cement companies, the Swiss multinational giant Holderbank (since renamed Holcim), proposed to build a cement-manufacturing plant. The massive, coal-fired plant project would occupy more than 1,800 acres (7.3 km2) in the city of Hudson and the town of Greenport. Supporters cited the project for jobs and stimulating other growth. Sustained grassroots opposition to the project was led by business owner Peter Jung and journalist Sam Pratt, co-founders of Friends of Hudson (FOH). Opponents argued the proposed project violated state environmental regulations and would adversely affect the river, shoreline, and related habitats.
The controversy gained national attention from news outlets such as CNN and The New York Times, as well as media outlets in Canada and Switzerland. The project was withdrawn after New York Secretary of State Randy Daniels determined that the company's plans were inconsistent with New York State's 24 coastal policies. Opponents of the cement project described the ruling as "a colossal relief" and supporters, including the Business Council of New York State, denounced it as "flawed in its logic". Nearly 14,000 public comments were received by the State's Division of Coastal Resources (87% of them opposed to the project), a record for that agency.
National Register of Historic Properties listings
The Dr. Oliver Bronson House and Estate, Dr. Oliver Bronson House and Stables, Henry A. and Evanlina Dubois House, Cornelius H. Evans House, Front Street-Parade Hill-Lower Warren Street Historic District, Houses at 37-47 North Fifth Street, Hudson Almshouse, Hudson Historic District, Hudson/Athens Lighthouse, Rossman-Prospect Avenue Historic District, United States Post Office, William Henry Ludlow House, Elisha Williams House, Oliver Wiswall House, and Van Salsbergen House.
In 2014, artist Marina Abramovi? announced a project to create an art institute bearing her name. The Marina Abramovi? Institute (MAI) was to be housed in the former municipal tennis building. MAI was intended as a space for works of music, opera, film, theater, performance art, science, and others with performance times exceeding six hours. She proposed to use the "Abramovic Method" to help participants develop needed skills for observing such pieces. The project was cancelled in October 2017, due to its high anticipated cost.
Attractions
Hudson is home to the Firemen's Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Museum of Firefighting, one of the largest fire service-centered museums in the world. It is on the grounds of the FASNY Firemen's home, the first nursing home for firemen in the country.
The Hudson Music Festival is an annual event established in 2011 and is New York's largest free music festival. The fourth annual Hudson Music Festival took place August 8, 9 & 10, 2014 and showcased 100 acts.
The Hudson Opera House is located on Warren Street in the center of the city.
Time & Space Limited, a not-for-profit arts organization serves the City of Hudson and the Hudson River Valley Region. It shows a wide selection of independent movies.
A farmers market takes place on Saturdays, offering a variety of fresh organic products from the Hudson Valley area. The market is conducted outdoors in the warm season and indoor in the wintertime.
Many local restaurants purchase fresh meat, eggs, herbs, and produce from the nearby Letterbox Farm Collective.
Government
The city has a mayor-council form of elected government. Since the 1990s, five mayors have served: William Allen, Dolly Allen, Richard Scalera, Kenneth Cranna, and Richard Tracy. During that time, Scalera has been elected mayor seven times. Twice he declined to run. This period has been marked by unusual levels of friction between elected officials and residents, as the demographics and economics of the city have shifted.
Representation in other media
Several movies and television shows have been filmed in Hudson:
- Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), starring Harry Belafonte
- Ironweed, starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep
- The PBS documentary Two Square Miles, directed by Barbara Ettinger, is about Hudson.
- Our Town: Hudson, WHMT Aired: 2011
Local news sources
- The Register Star
- Modern Farmer
- The Gossips of Rivertown (blog)[7]
Notable people
- Marina Abramovi?, performance artist
- Robert Adams, American sailor and explorer
- John Ashbery, New York State poet laureate
- Melissa Auf der Maur, musician (The Smashing Pumpkins, Hole) and owner of Basilica Hudson, an arts and performance venue
- Rashad Barksdale, New York Giants cornerback
- J. D. Cannon, actor
- Nicolas Carone, artist
- John Corapi, born and grew up in Hudson, accountant who turned to religion and became a Catholic priest, whistleblower in false claims suit in California, spoke about Catholicism on radio and TV; suspended from ministry by his order, he resigned
- Lynn Davis, photographer
- Tom Davis, comedian
- George C. Ewing, politician, and founder of Holyoke, Massachusetts
- Nancy Fuller, host of Food Network's Farmhouse Rules
- Sanford Robinson Gifford, was born here in 1823 and grew up here; an artist, he became a member of the second generation of the Hudson River School landscape painters. Following his death on August 29, 1880, he was buried in Hudson's Cedar Park Cemetery.
- Philip Glass, composer
- Joshua Lee, US congressman
- Tyler Lydon, basketball player, first-round selection in 2017 NBA draft
- Gerard Malanga, poet, photographer and filmmaker
- Sam J. Miller, science fiction author
- Meshell Ndegeocello, musician
- Benjamin Moore Norman, author and book dealer
- Dawn Langley Simmons, author and famous hermaphrodite (Simmons lived quietly in Hudson during the 1980s while writing her biography of Margaret Rutherford)
- Tommy Stinson, musician
- Bob Trowbridge, former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Chris Urbanowicz, musician
- Martin Van Buren, future US President, set up his first law office in Hudson.
- William Jenkins Worth, was born on Union Street in Hudson and grew up here. He entered the mililtary and served as a general during the Mexican-American War. Worth Avenue in Hudson is named after him, as is Fort Worth, Texas.
- Rupert Wyatt {film maker]
Transportation
Rail
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Hudson, including stops by the following trains:
- Adirondack, operating daily in both directions between Montreal, Canada, and New York City.
- Empire Service trains, operating several times daily in both directions between New York City and either Albany-Rensselaer or Buffalo.
- Ethan Allen Express, operating daily in both directions between New York City and Rutland, Vermont.
- Maple Leaf, operating daily in both directions between New York City and Toronto, Canada.
Bus
Columbia County Public Transportation provides local service and commuter service to Albany, New York.
References and notes
External links
- City of Hudson official website
- Hudson Area Association Library
- FASNY - Fire Museum of Firefighting New York
- Hudson Athens LightHouse
- Our Town: Hudson Documentary produced by WMHT (TV)
- "Hudson. A city and the county-seat of Columbia County, N. Y.". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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