Fort Edward is a village in Washington County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The village population was 3,141 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from the brother of King George III.

The village is part of the town of Fort Edward.

History

Early History

Fort Edward has been strategically important during its long and illustrious history, for it commands the Hudson and Champlain Valleys. The Indians called the area around Fort Edward "Wahcoloosencoochaleva," which means "The Great Carrying Place," as the Hudson River is no longer navigable to the north, requiring a portage to arrive at Lake George. This unique location on the "Great War Path" meant that the area was destined to be settled and fortified early.

As early as 1709 during Queen Anne's War, a stockade (Fort Nicholson) was erected in the area due to its strategic importance - only to be abandoned and then constructed again as Fort Lydus, the trading post of John Lydus. In 1731, the fortification was reconstructed as Fort Lyman and then renamed by Sir William Johnson during the French and Indian War as Fort Edward in 1755. Also at this time, a large military complex was constructed on nearby Roger's Island, which today is an historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another smaller fort was constructed on the opposite shore of the Hudson River.

During the American Revolution, the area fell to the British forces under John Burgoyne in 1777.

Post Colonial history

The completion of the Champlain Canal in 1823 linked the area to the north and south and replaced a smaller canal that by-passed local rapids.

The village of Fort Edward incorporated in 1849, setting itself off from the town of Fort Edward.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.9 square miles (5.0 km²), of which, 1.8 square miles (4.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (7.25%) is water.

New York Route 197 joins US Route 4 at Fort Edward, and the Champlain Canal joins the Hudson River south of the village.

Fort Edward is on the opposite shore of the Hudson River from the town of Moreau in Saratoga County.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 3,141 people, 1,247 households, and 835 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,751.1 people per square mile (677.5/km²). There were 1,399 housing units at an average density of 779.9/sq mi (301.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.69% White, 0.35% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.38% Asian, and 0.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.

There were 1,247 households out of which 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the village the population was spread out with 26.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,347, and the median income for a family was $39,550. Males had a median income of $35,380 versus $22,361 for females. The per capita income for the village was $17,555. About 7.9% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.7% of those under age 18 and 2.4% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• Village and Town of Fort Edward