Newburgh in 1940
NEWBURGH, one of the most beautifully-located cities in
America, starts on the last quarter of its first century of existence as a city
with new confidence and, promise of accumulating development.
The community has passed through, 10 years of the most
devastating depression in history without suffering any reverse which it has
not been able to overcome. It has more than held its own; and among business
men and citizens there is unwavering belief in the city’s future and firm
resolve to continue, consolidate and intensify the progress which has been
recorded since 1865.
Located on mile-wide Newburgh Bay at the gateway to Hudson
Highlands, with a background of mountains to the east, south and southwest,
Newburgh has an artistic charm which sets it apart from other communities and
justifies the vision of Hendrick Hudson, discoverer of the Hudson River, in
1609 regarding the pleasantness of the location on which “to build a city”.
The 75th anniversary of the chartering of Newburgh as a city
by Act of the Legislature is also the 140th anniversary of its incorporation as
a village, Newburgh was the third village established in the State. Through all
the years, from colonization by German Lutheran refugees in 1709, through
township and village days to the present city government, Newburgh has made a
distinctive name for itself in history, industry and commerce, in cultural
accomplishments, education, religion and recreation, and in other lines which have
given the community character and enriched life, and have contributed generally
to the public welfare.
Beginning as a village with about 2,500 population, and as a
city with about 16,000, Newburgh has now approximately 32,000 residents, not
including large suburban populations to the north, west and south. Unlike most
cities, Newburgh has made little change in boundaries in 75 years. Few cities
of comparable population have such restricted area. The city ranks 18th in the
State and 301st in the United States.
To a far greater extent than the average city, Newburgh’s
welfare has been affected by transportation, in which tremendous changes have
taken place in 150 years. At the outset, Newburgh was the outlet from a vast
“western country” extending as far as Buffalo to the New York City market.
Those were the days when the only transport was by wagon and water.
Newburgh’s location on the Hudson was the most favorable of
any town, because of ease of access through mountains to the west and
northwest. Construction of railroads diverted much of the trade, and Newburgh
suffered until its business men united in the building of turnpikes.
Subsequently Newburgh also obtained railroad facilities and retrieved much of
its oldtime position.
But further changes in transport were due to take place. For
many years there was high level of activity on railroads and the Hudson River,
and Newburgh enjoyed prosperity greater than that experienced in earlier days.
Gradually, however, a new factor in transportation developed - the modern
highway and the self- propelled vehicle.
This is the factor which predominates today and gives every
promise of continuing for all time. Newburgh, following inevitable
readjustments in its industry and commerce, is reaching a stabilization with
regard to transport which definitely fixes the business trend of the community
and appears to make certain development and growth in excess of anything
experienced before.
Within late years Newburgh has become the chief distributing
center of the mid-Hudson region. This is a fact because of its combined
facilities of railway, waterway and most of all highway. The city is a base for
operations extending for many miles in all directions west of the Hudson.
Several national concerns have established distributing stations in the city
and vicinity, and others are certain to do so.
Meanwhile there have been manufacturing changes, with a
trend from “heavy” to “light” industries. While some of the changes have been
seemingly advantageous, the net effect, over a period of time, has been
consolidation of gains from new concerns which have taken up the slack in
employment. Current surveys indicate steady improvement, with the number of
gainfully employed exceeding the national average.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
+copy.jpg)
