Dutch and Huguenot colonists settled in the area in the 17th century, centered on a Dutch settlement named Waghackamack and later renamed to Minisink. The settlement was part of the boundary dispute between New York and New Jersey, which began circa 1700 and was not resolved until 1773.[3] During the American Revolution, the area was raided twice by Mohawk Leader, Joseph Brant. The more impactful of the raids took place on July 20, 1776, causing mass destruction in the town and leading to the Battle of Minisink.[4]
The town of Deerpark would be established in 1798, being formed from the southeastern section of Mamakating. The town got its name from a tract of land enclosed with a brush fence, referred to as "McDaniel’s Deerpark” by locals.[3] On May 11, 1853, what is now Port Jervis would split off from the town, becoming its own incorporated village.[5]
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 67.9 square miles (176 km2), of which 66.4 square miles (172 km2) is land and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km2) (2.14%) is water. It is considered the second largest town in area in Orange County.
The southwestern town line is the border of Pennsylvania, marked by the Delaware River. The western and northern town lines are the border of Sullivan County, New York. The Neversink River flows through the town. The city of Port Jervis is located at the southern corner of the town, and a small portion of the town borders on Montague Township, New Jersey.
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 7,858 people, 2,906 households, and 2,115 families residing in the town. The population density was 118.3 inhabitants per square mile (45.7/km2). There were 3,332 housing units at an average density of 50.2 per square mile (19.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 90.52% white, 5.54% African American, .27% Native American, .57% Asian, .74% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.82% of the population.
There were 2,906 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.4% were married couples living together, 9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.2% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $45,000, and the median income for a family was $49,987. Males had a median income of $40,070 versus $25,642 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,252. About 7.4% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations
Deerpark Town Hall
Cahoonzie – A hamlet in the western part of the town on NY-42.
Cuddebackville – A hamlet at the intersection of US-209 and NY-211, located approximately ten miles north of Port Jervis. The community was named after Colonel William Cuddeback, the original owner of the site.[8]
The Port Jervis district operates Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School (HBE) in Cuddebackville.[13] Additionally Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School is in Deerpark, but with a Port Jervis postal address.[14] The zoned secondary schools for the district are Port Jervis Middle School and Port Jervis High School, the former in Port Jervis,[15] and the latter in Deerpark but with a Port Jervis postal address.[16] Kuhl and Port Jervis High are on the same property.[17]
Thomas Samuel Swartwout, early settler and founder of the town (Wagheckemeck Patent, October 14, 1697) along with Pierre Guimard, Jacques Caudebec, Anthony Swartwout, Bernardus Swartwout, David Jamison & Jan Tyse.
^"Home". Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School. Retrieved January 18, 2022. 929 Route 209 Cuddebackville, New York 12729
^"Home". Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School. Retrieved January 18, 2022. 10 Route 209 Port Jervis, New York 12771 - Despite the "Port Jervis" postal address, the school is physically in Deerpark.
Compare full address to the zoning map of Deerpark: "Zoning Map"(PDF). Town of Deerpark. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
^"Home". Port Jervis Middle School. Retrieved January 18, 2022. 118 E Main Street Port Jervis, New York 12771
^"Home". Port Jervis High School. Retrieved January 18, 2022. 10 Route 209 Port Jervis, New York 12771 - Despite the "Port Jervis" postal address, the school is physically in Deerpark.
Compare full address to the zoning map of Deerpark: "Zoning Map"(PDF). Town of Deerpark. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
