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About Durham

Durham is a picturesque town in Greene County, New York, United States. As of 2010, the current population is 2725, showing an increase from 2592 reported in the 2000 census.  The town was named after Durham, Connecticut and is located in the northwest corner of the county.  For current demographic information check out American FactFinder.

History

The town was first settled around 1782 within Albany County. The town was established from part of the Town of Coxsackie in 1790 as the “Town of Freehold.” In the spring of 1800 Freehold became part of the newly formed Greene County. The town’s name was changed to “Durham” in 1805, the town having been called informally “New Durham” by the many settlers from Connecticut.

Part of the town was lost to form, in 1803, the new Towns of Cairo, Greenville, and Windham. In 1836, the western part of Durham became the Town of Conesville in Schoharie County.

Geography 

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 49.3 square miles (127.6 km²), of which, 49.2 square miles (127.6 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.04%) is water.

The north town line is the border of Albany County, New York, and part of the west town line is the border of Schoharie County, New York.

Communities and locations in Durham

• Cornwallville — A hamlet south of Durham village on Route 20. It is the location of the Moore Road Stone Arch Bridge and Shady Glen Road Stone Arch Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[2]
• Durso Corner — A hamlet east of East Windham on Route 23.
• Durham — the hamlet of Durham in the north part of the town on Route 145.
• East Durham — A hamlet southeast of Durham village on Route 145.
• East Windham — A hamlet at the south town line on Route 23.
• Hervey Street — A hamlet near the south town line. It is the location of the Hervey Street Road Stone Arch Bridge, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.[2]
• Mount Pisgah — An elevation at the west town line.
• Oak Hill — A hamlet northeast of Durham village, located on Route 81.
• Sunside — A hamlet in the southeast part of the town.
• South Durham — A hamlet in the southeast part of the town on Route 23.
• West Durham — A hamlet near the west town line on Route 20.

Notable residents

Blossom Dearie. (1924–2009) An American jazz singer and pianist, grew up in Durham.
John Adams, (1778-1854), United States Congressman from New York, taught school and practiced law.
Alfred W. Newman, (1834-1898), Wisconsin Supreme Court

Statistics

• Country: United States
• State: New York
• County: Greene
• Government
  • Type: Town Council
  • Town Supervisor: Bill Carr (R)
• Area
  • Total: 49.3 sq mi (127.6 km2)
  • Land:49.2 sq mi (127.6 km2)
  • Water: 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2)
  • Elevation: 925 ft (282 m)
• Population (2000)
  • Total: 2,592
  • Density: 52.6/sq mi (20.3/km2)
• Time zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
  • Summer (DST): EDT (UTC-4)
• ZIP codes: 12422, 12423, 12460, 12418
• Area code(s) 518
• FIPS code: 36-21204
• GNIS feature ID: 0978913