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(history as of 12/27/2007 11:30:51)
| Pompey, New York |
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Location within the state of New York |
| Coordinates: 42°55′52″N 75°59′1″W / 42.93111, -75.98361 |
| Country |
United States |
| State |
New York |
| County |
Onondaga |
| Area |
| - Total |
66.5 sq mi (172.2 km) |
| - Land |
66.4 sq mi (172.0 km) |
| - Water |
0.1 sq mi (0.2 km) |
| Elevation |
1,457 ft (444 m) |
| Population (2000) |
| - Total |
6,159 |
| - Density |
92.7/sq mi (35.8/km²) |
| Time zone |
Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) |
EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code |
13138 |
| Area code(s) |
315 |
| FIPS code |
36-59036 |
| GNIS feature ID |
0979383 |
Pompey was one of the original towns established in the Military Tract when that was laid out in 1790, labeled Township No. 10 as it had no name. This land was set aside as payment for those soldiers from New York State who fought in the Revolutionary War. According to Reverend William Beauchamp, one hundred forty-one Revolutionary War soldiers were buried in Pompey Cemeteries. The earliest settlers, mostly from Connecticut and Massachusetts, founded Pompey Academy, the first academy in Onondaga County. William VanBrocklin wrote "Prior to 1870 Pompey can boast of being the birthplace of more sons who have become eminent in the diversified vocations of life than any town in the United States." In 1825 the Town of LaFayette was formed from the western part of Pompey; however, the early settlements of Delphi Falls, Oran, Pompey Center, Pompey Hill and Watervale still remain within the town. The town flourished as sawmills, grist mills and later many other kinds of mills were erected on Limestone and Butternut Creeks. Agriculture became the primary industry, and although many of the farms have disappeared over the past one hundred fifty years, there are a few left. Some early one-room schoolhouses, now private dwellings, still dot the countryside. The railroad which ran through the northeast corner of the town has come and gone. Of the many Area Churches which were established only four remain, each having its own unique history. Fire companies now protect the town so that the devastating fires of the past may never again occur. Developers have purchased and built upon tracts of land in this scenic town of rolling hills. Pratts Falls and the area around it have become a part of the county for all to enjoy, spring, summer, winter and fall.
Pompey was within the land of the Iroquois and later part of the former Central New York Military Tract, used to compensate soldier of the American Revolution. The town was first settled by outsiders around 1789.
The Town of Pompey was formed in 1789, but not completely organized until 1794, when Onondaga County was established. The original town was divided and sub-divided into many other towns in the region, including all of the Towns of Fabius (1798), Tully, Preble, and Scott (The latter two now in Cortland County), along with parts of the Towns of Spafford, Otisco (1806), LaFayette (1825), Onondaga (1794), Truxton and Cuyler (The latter two now in Cortland County).
The Village of Pompey developed about 10.5 miles south of the main east-west Native American trial, which became the Genesee Road (1794) and then the Seneca Turnpike (1800), running through Cazenovia, Manlius and Onondaga Hollow (south of Syracuse). The segment of modern US 20, connecting Cazenovia andSkaneateles by way of Pompey and LaFayette, was not built until 1934.
Notable residents
- Leonard Jerome and mother of Winston Churchill
- William George Fargo, Founder of Wells-Fargo and mayor of Buffalo, was born in Pompey.
- Brigadier General James G. Shanahan, awarded Combat Infantryman Badge with two combat stars, the Distinguished Service Medal, three Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars for Valor, four Bronze Stars for Merit, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Air Medal with eight clusters, the Vietnamese National Order of Valor and two Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses.
- Allen Radway, American stage actor, was born in Pompey, NY.
Geography
Demographics
Election District
Further History
Pompey and Change
Pompey Historical Society
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