Washington County, New York Data Book 2008 Prepared by the Washington County Department of Planning & Community Development Comments, suggestions and corrections are welcomed and encouraged. Please contact the Department at (518) 746-2290 or [email protected] Table of Contents: Table of Contents: ....................................................................................................................................................................................... ii Profile: ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Location & General Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 1 Municipality ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 Physical Description ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Quality of Life: ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Housing .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Trails & Nature Preserves ...................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Northern & Adirondack Park Region ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Southern and Western Washington County .................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Skiing...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Snowmobile Trails ................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 County Parks ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 10 Boat Launches & Marinas .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Area Sports .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Arts & Culture ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Special Events ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 Regional Attractions ............................................................................................................................................................................. 14 History: ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Settlement and Military History ............................................................................................................................................................. 14 Civil War Era & Underground Railroad ................................................................................................................................................. 16 Early Industry and the Canal Era .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Historic Resources ............................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Historical and Cultural Museums .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Tourism Information: ................................................................................................................................................................................ 19 Washington County Tourism Association ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Visitor Centers ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Community Contacts: ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Agriculture: ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 22 History .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 22 Washington County Farming Today ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 Come to the Fair ................................................................................................................................................................................... 24 Farmers’ Markets .................................................................................................................................................................................. 25 Educational Facilities and Training Opportunities:.................................................................................................................................... 26 ii Washington County Centralized School Districts (CSD) ....................................................................................................................... 26 Private Schools in Washington County ................................................................................................................................................. 26 Career and Technical Education (BOCES) .......................................................................................................................................... 26 Adirondack Community College ........................................................................................................................................................... 27 Regional Colleges and Universities ...................................................................................................................................................... 27 Community Resources: ............................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Libraries................................................................................................................................................................................................ 29 Hospitals and Medical Services ............................................................................................................................................................ 30 Regional Hospitals ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 30 Medical Centers ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 30 Child Care ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Emergency Services ...........................................................................................................................................................................