New Paltz is a village in Ulster County in the U.S. state of New York. It is about 80 miles (130 km) north of New York City and 70 miles (110 km) south of Albany. The population was 6,034 at the 2000 census.

The Village of New Paltz is located within the Town of New Paltz. New Paltz is also home to the State University of New York New Paltz, founded in 1828.

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History

Early development

New Paltz was founded in 1678 by French-speaking Huguenots who had taken refuge in Mannheim, Germany, for a brief period of time before coming to America. Mannheim was, at that time, capital of the area called the Rhenish Palatinate or, in German, the Rhein Pfalz.

The people of Mannheim leave out the "f" in the name Pfalz, pronouncing it "Paltz." Records of the New Paltz Reformed Church, which was formed in 1683, show the name of the settlement was first expressed not in German, nor in English, but in French: Nouveau Palatinat.

The community was governed by a kind of corporation called the Duzine, referring to the twelve partners who acquired the royal patent. That form of government continued well past the time of the American Revolution, by special action of the New York State legislature.

The 33,000 acres (134 km? or so of the patent, stretching all the way to the Hudson River and augmented soon by the other patents on the south, were eventually divided among those twelve partners, their relatives, and a few friends into large plots--part wilderness, and part farm. The farms were grouped principally around the heights west and east of the Wallkill River. The commercial center serving this agricultural base was located on the east shore of the Wallkill River, in the area where the first settlers had huddled, on the street now known as Huguenot Street.

There, the church, schools, blacksmith, seamstresses,and stores flourished for the benefit of farmers who required things like seed, tools, worship, education, clothing, and food not available on all farms, including alcoholic beverages. Many of the buildings still stand today, a museum community.

Population slowly spread from the Wallkill up along the street now known as North Front Street and then along what is now Chestnut Street, and, in the nineteenth century, along what is now Main Street. The secession of the Town of Lloyd and parts of Shawangunk, Esopus, and Gardiner, between 1843 and 1853, reduced New Paltz to its present size. In 1887, the village of New Paltz was incorporated within a town of the same name.

Higher education has been one of the main concerns of the community since the 1830s, centering first on North Front Street, then moving late in the nineteenth century to the area of Plattekill Avenue and Manheim Boulevard (notice the French spelling), where the State University of New York at New Paltz now stands.

New Paltz farmers looked early on to surrounding communities and even to New York City for markets. Establishment of the Wallkill Valley Railroad in 1870 gave a great boost to that concern. After fifty years or so, the motor car began to replace the train, and finally, in the early 1950s, the opening of the New York State Thruway brought this community even more fully into the network of business we know in the late twentieth century.

The names of those Duzine members (Bevier, Deyo, Crispell, DuBois, Hasbrouck, LeFevre) still persist, but they have long shared the limelight with names less French: all the varied pronunciations we in America know well. One of the most famous people associated with New Paltz is Sojourner Truth.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.8 square miles (4.6 km?, of which, 1.7 square miles (4.5 km? of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km? of it (1.70%) is water.

The Wallkill River runs north through New Paltz and flows into the Rondout Creek which, in turn, flows into the Hudson River. The portion of the Shawangunk Ridge which includes the Mohonk Preserve and Minnewaska State Park Preserve, is just outside of New Paltz. This mountain is considered to be one of the best rock climbing sites in America.

The Shawangunk Ridge Coalition is an environmental protection interest group. The Phillies Bridge Farm Project provides local, environmentally friendly agriculture practices and education programs.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,034 people, 1,898 households, and 586 families residing in the village. The population density was 3,482.5 people per square mile (1,346.7/km?. There were 1,957 housing units at an average density of 1,129.5/sq mi (436.8/km?.

There were 1,898 households out of which 12.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 21.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 69.1% were non-families. 41.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.03 and the average family size was 2.66.

In the village the population was spread out with 6.9% under the age of 18, 58.7% from 18 to 24, 19.0% from 25 to 44, 10.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females there were 80.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.8 males.

Notable residents

• Louis Dubois, founder of one of the earliest Huguenot colonies in the Americas
• Abe Attell was a boxing champion.
• Floyd Patterson was a boxing champion.
• Lewis DuBois was a descendant of the original Huguenot refugees and a military commander in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
• Sojourner Truth was born into slavery in New York, escaped, and continued to lived in the New Paltz area with Quakers while fighting against slavery. The College Library here bears her name.
• Mary Gordon, novelist.

New Paltz in fiction

• "The Sounds of Mohonk Mountain" is a reference during Steve and Miranda's honeymoon in Sex and the City to the famous Mohonk Mountain House.

• The Mohonk Mountain House was also mentioned in the Steven King gypsy novel, "Thinner".

• Alan Parker's "The Road to Wellville" was shot in Mohonk Mountain House.

• New Paltz is the place of residence for Zipporah and Tyler James in V.C. Andrews' book "Secrets in the Shadows".

Politics

The current mayor is Terry Dungan, who was elected in May 2007 to a four year term. The four trustees on the village board are Michael Zierler, Shari Osborn, Jean Gallucci, and Mark Portier.

In May 2003, students and community members elected the Innovation Campaign candidates Jason West, Rebecca Rotzler and Julia Walsh to the Village of New Paltz government to serve a 4 year term. The three activists ran on a platform that promoted environmental sustainability & democracy. West lost his bid for reelection in May 2007 while Rotzler and Walsh chose not to seek reelection.

Culture

New Paltz hosts a number of cultural events.

Unity in Diversity Day

This event, sponsored by the Village, Town, and SUNY of New Paltz, celebrates the differences among people through food, spoken word poetry, artistic endeavors and theatrical performance. The 2007 theme was derived from Dr. Seuss's story about Sneetches.

Halloween

Haunted House

For a number of years the Guenther family put on a free haunted house for area residents. After complaints about traffic and noise concerns, owners Ann and Dan Guenther announced in 2006 that they would no longer create the attraction. However, interest continued, and the house is slated to occur again in 2007, relocated to Hasbrouck Park and now billed as the "Haunted Playground.

Parade

The Village hosts an annual Halloween parade, open to all residents, on Halloween night.

Haunted Huguenot Street

On the nights leading up to Halloween, stories of spirits, tragedy, misfortune and the paranormal fill the 330 year old street, as Historic Huguenot Street hosts their annual and popular Haunted Huguenot Street tours.

Night of 100 Pumpkins

Since 1990 local eatery The Bakery has hosted this pumpkin carving contest, which had over 2,000 attendees in 2006.

Transportation

Automobile

New Paltz is exit 18 on the New York State Thruway which is also designated as Interstate 87.

Bus Service

There is frequent bus service between The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City and New Paltz, with connections to many other villages and cities.

Air Travel

Stewart International Airport is the nearest major airport to New Paltz. It is located in Newburgh, thirty minutes to the south.

Pedestrian

The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is on the bed of the Wallkill Valley Rail transport, the former main transportation link for New Paltz.

The Village and Town have a joint Bicycle-Pedestrian Committee that focuses on improving non-motorized transportation in the area.

Rail Travel to New York City

Nearby Poughkeepsie is the end of the line for the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson Line. Poughkeepsie is a 15-20 minute drive east of New Paltz and taxis are available there to transport travelers to and from New Paltz. Riding on Metro-North out of the Poughkeepsie Station is clean, safe and reliable. Trains run from very early in the morning until late into the evening. Fares can run as low as $12.75 each way to Grand Central Terminal.

Transportation Plan

In 2006, the Town and Village paid for a Transportation Study to analyze the transportation needs of the area. The study's suggestions included turning Main Street into a one-way route and improving bicycle and pedestrian access. An implementation committee was appointed in 2007 to study ways to use the plan.

New Paltz Real Estate

New Paltz real estate activity is traditionally stable.  It is situated in a town with a major university which lends itself to a constant flow of people moving into and out of the area.  The inventory of homes is strong which affords the New Paltz buyer a nice variety of homes to select from.