Watkins Glen, New York

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Watkins Glen, New York
CDP
NY 14 SB approaching NY 409-NY 414.jpg
Franklin Street in Watkins Glen
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Watkins Glen
Location within the state of New York
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Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen (the United States)
Coordinates: 42°22′52″N76°52′16″W / 42.38111°N 76.87111°W / 42.38111; -76.87111
Country United States
State New York
County Schuyler
Settled1791;232 years ago (1791)
Named1842;181 years ago (1842)
as Jefferson
Named1852;171 years ago (1852)
as Watkins Glen
Government
 • MayorShea Daley
Area
[1]
 • Total1.94 sq mi (5.03 km2)
 • Land1.56 sq mi (4.04 km2)
 • Water0.38 sq mi (0.99 km2)
Elevation
463 ft (141 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total1,863
 • Density1,194.23/sq mi (461.05/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
14891
Area code 607
FIPS code 36-78696 [2]
GNIS feature ID0974082 [3]
Website www.watkinsglen.us

Watkins Glen is a village and census-designated place in and the county seat of Schuyler County, [4] New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,829. Watkins Glen lies within the towns of Dix and Reading. To the southwest of the village is the Watkins Glen International race track, which hosts annual NASCAR Cup Series and WeatherTech SportsCar Championship races, and formerly hosted the Formula One United States Grand Prix and various IndyCar races.

Contents

History

The settlement of the village began in 1791. First named "Jefferson" in 1842, the village was later renamed in 1852 to honor Dr. Samuel Watkins. [5] Watkins' older brother John purchased property around the gorge in 1794 and constructed mills. After his brother's death, Samuel Watkins inherited the property and spent four decades building up the area with roads, shops and a hotel. [6] The newspaper Watkins Glen Review & Express has served the area since 1854.

Geography

Watkins Glen State Park Watkins Glen State Park pano 6.jpg
Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen is located at 42°22′52″N76°52′16″W / 42.38111°N 76.87111°W / 42.38111; -76.87111 (42.380984, -76.871079). [7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.2 square miles (5.7 km2), of which 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) of the village is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (17.41%) is water.

New York State Route 14 joins New York State Route 79 and New York State Route 414 by Watkins Glen. NY-14 is one of the principal streets in Watkins Glen village. New York State Route 329 and New York State Route 409 lead into Watkins Glen from the west.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870 2,039—
1880 2,71633.2%
1890 2,604−4.1%
1900 2,94313.0%
1910 2,817−4.3%
1920 2,785−1.1%
1930 2,9566.1%
1940 2,913−1.5%
1950 3,0524.8%
1960 2,813−7.8%
1970 2,716−3.4%
1980 2,440−10.2%
1990 2,207−9.5%
2000 2,149−2.6%
2010 1,859−13.5%
2020 1,829−1.6%
2022 (est.)2,228 [8] 21.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

As of the census [2] of 2010, there were 1,859 people, 873 households, and 442 families residing in the village. The population density was 845 inhabitants per square mile (326/km2). There were 977 housing units at an average density of 444 per square mile (171/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.2% White, 0.50% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.70% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.

There were 873 households, out of which 22.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.70% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.40% were non-families. 42.40% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the village, the age distribution of the population was spread out, with 22.70% under the age of 20, 5.40% from 20 to 24, and 31.80% from 25 to 50 and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.20 years old. The Village of Watkins Glen had 866 male residents, and 993 female residents.

The median income for a household in the village was $34,969 and the median income for a family was $55,357. Males had a median income of $37,885 versus $29,000 for females. The per capita income for the village was $24,116. 5.0% of the population and 1.70% of families were living below the poverty line. 3.6% of those under the age of 18 and 6.80% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Notable events and attractions

Seneca Lake from Watkins Glen Seneca Lake from Watkins Glen July 2017.jpg
Seneca Lake from Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen State Park

Watkins Glen State Park is a 778-acre park with a 400-foot-deep (120 m) [10] narrow gorge featuring 19 waterfalls over a span of less than two miles. It is considered a "flagship" park by the State of New York. [11]

Auto racing at Watkins Glen

The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International Cars drive through the Esses during the 2014 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen.jpg
The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen at Watkins Glen International

Watkins Glen is noted for its role in auto racing, being the home of a street course used in road racing, a famous racetrack, Watkins Glen International, one of the premier automobile road racing tracks in the United States, which has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen, IndyCar Series Grand Prix at The Glen, and the IMSA SportsCar Championship 6 Hours of Watkins Glen. The first Watkins Glen Sports Car Grand Prix was held in 1948 on public streets in and near the village. Organized by local resident Cameron Argetsinger, it was the first post-WWII road race held in the United States and it marked the revival of American road racing.

The original course ran for 6.6 miles (10.6 km) and passed through the center of the village. The streets used for the original course remain intact today and a checkered flag marks the original start-finish line on the village's main street. During the 1952 race, driver Fred Wacker struck onlookers sitting on a curb, killing a 7-year-old boy and injuring 10 others. The tragedy caused the end of street racing at the Glen and elsewhere in the United States. [12]

A permanent racing facility, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course opened in 1956. It has hosted nearly every type of road racing, from the Sahlen's 6 Hours of Watkins Glen (1948-current), the Formula One United States Grand Prix (1961–1980), and the I Love New York 355 at The Glen (1957-current), which was one of the few races on the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series schedule not conducted on an oval speedway, the other being Sonoma Raceway until NASCAR added more road courses to the Cup Series schedule.

International Motor Racing Research Center

International Motor Racing Research Center International Motor Racing Research Center.jpg
International Motor Racing Research Center

The International Motor Racing Research Center, a professional archive of motorsports history, opened in June 1999 in an annex of the Watkins Glen Public Library. [13] The mission of the center is to preserve and share the history of motorsports around the world. [14]

Personal Watercraft racing at Watkins Glen

Since 2014, Watkins Glen has hosted a weekend of IJSBA (International Jet Sports Boating Association) closed course racing, and has become one of the largest race venues in the sport today. Originally promoted in Region 8 by NEWA (North East Watercraft Alliance), until 2016 when East Coast Watercross purchased the series, racing has been at Clute Memorial Park and Campground, and is typically the last weekend in August. The event has always been free to spectators, and features both closed course racing and freestyle competition using standup, sit-down, and sport class machines.

1973 Summer Jam at Watkins Glen rock festival

The racetrack was also the scene of the July 28, 1973, Summer Jam at Watkins Glen rock festival attended by an estimated 600,000 people, one-and-a-half times the crowd at 1969's historic Woodstock Festival and a world record for the largest number of people at a pop music festival. The concert featured The Allman Brothers Band, Grateful Dead, and The Band. The music started at noon Saturday and continued long into Sunday.

Phish festivals

On July 1–3 of 2011, the band Phish hosted Superball IX, a three-day music festival on the same grounds of the Summer Jam of '73. On August 21–23 of 2015, Phish hosted their 10th festival, Magnaball, on the grounds. Phish planned to return to Watkins Glen for their 11th festival, Curveball, on August 17–19, 2018 but was forced to cancel when their permit was revoked due to floods contaminating the local water supply. [15]

True Love schooner

Watkins Glen is the home port for True Love, a schooner built in 1926 that was featured in High Society (1956). [16]

Farm animal protection movement

Farm Sanctuary's headquarters in Watkins Glen FarmSanctuary.JPG
Farm Sanctuary's headquarters in Watkins Glen
Schuyler County Courthouse in Watkins Glen Schuyler County Courthouse, Watkins Glen, New York State.jpg
Schuyler County Courthouse in Watkins Glen

Watkins Glen is the home of Farm Sanctuary, a national farm animal protection organization co-founded by activist Gene Baur in 1986. In 1991, the organization opened a shelter in Watkins Glen that has since provided lifelong care for thousands of animals rescued from abuse; hosted numerous public events; and welcomed thousands of visitors from all over the world, sharing with them views of militant vegetarianism.

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watkins Glen International</span> U.S. motorsport track

Watkins Glen International, nicknamed "The Glen", is an automobile race track located in the town of Dix just southwest of the village of Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. It was long known around the world as the home of the Formula One United States Grand Prix, which it hosted for twenty consecutive years (1961–1980). In addition, the site has also been home to road racing of nearly every class, including the World Sportscar Championship, Trans-Am, Can-Am, NASCAR Cup Series, the International Motor Sports Association and the IndyCar Series. The facility is currently owned by NASCAR.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6 Hours of Watkins Glen</span>

The Six Hours of Watkins Glen is a sports car endurance race held annually at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. The race dates from 1948, and has been a part of the SCCA National Sports Car Championship, United States Road Racing Championship, World Sportscar Championship, IMSA GT Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series and currently the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgehampton Race Circuit</span> Race track in the United States

Bridgehampton Race Circuit was a race track located near Sag Harbor, New York, United States. The circuit opened in 1957, following a series of road races held from 1949 until 1953. It was one of the first permanent road racing venues in the United States, opening after Thompson Speedway, two years after Road America, the year after Watkins Glen International, and the same year as Lime Rock Park and Laguna Seca Raceway. In its early years, Bridgehampton was host to major international series, including the World Sportscar Championship, Can-Am, and NASCAR Grand National. By the early 1970s, the track was used mostly for amateur events. The track closed permanently in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 AMD at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2006 AMD at The Glen was a NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race that was held on August 13, 2006, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Contested over 90 laps on the 2.45 mile (3.942 km) road course, it was the 22nd race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season. Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing won the race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Go Bowling at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2018 Go Bowling at The Glen was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on August 5, 2018 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Contested over 90 laps on the 2.45-mile (3.94 km) road course, it was the 22nd race of the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season. Chase Elliott scored his first career win in this race after holding off a hard-charging Martin Truex Jr. who was the defending winner from last year. This was the final race for Brian France as the CEO of NASCAR, as he was arrested for DUI hours after the race occurred. Jim France was the CEO starting at Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Go Bowling at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2019 Go Bowling at The Glen was a Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race held on August 4, 2019 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Contested over 90 laps on the 2.45-mile (3.94 km) road course, it was the 22nd race of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200 at The Glen</span> 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series

The 2021 Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey 200 at The Glen was the 20th stock car race of the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series, and the 27th iteration of the event. The event was held on Saturday, August 7, 2021, in Watkins Glen, New York at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45 miles (3.94 km) permanent road course. The race took 82 laps to complete. Ty Gibbs, running a part time schedule for Joe Gibbs Racing, would win his 3rd race of the year and of his career for the series. A. J. Allmendinger of Kaulig Racing and Austin Cindric of Team Penske would score the rest of the podium positions, scoring 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2021 Clean Harbors 100 at The Glen was the 13th stock car race of the 2021 ARCA Menards Series season, the seventh race of the 2021 Sioux Chief Showdown, and the 21st iteration of the event. The race was held on Friday, August 6, 2021, in Watkins Glen, New York at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile (3.94 km) permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 41 laps to complete. At race's end, Corey Heim of Venturini Motorsports would take control in the later half of the race to win his sixth career ARCA Menards Series win and his fifth of the season. To fill out the podium, Austin Hill of Hattori Racing Enterprises and Ty Gibbs of Joe Gibbs Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2005 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was the 22nd stock car race of the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 20th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, August 14, 2005 in Watkins Glen, New York before a crowd of 85,000 at the shortened layout of Watkins Glen International, a 2.454 miles (3.949 km) permanent road course. The race was extended from 90 to 92 laps due to a green–white–checker finish caused by an accident including Kurt Busch and Jorge Goeters in the bus stop. At race's end, Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing would defend his domination of the race on the final restart to win his 24th career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series win and his fifth of the season. To fill out the podium, Robby Gordon of Robby Gordon Motorsports and Boris Said of MB Sutton Motorsports would finish second and third, respectively.

The 2018 Zippo 200 at The Glen was the 20th stock car race of the 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and the 24th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, August 4, 2018, in Watkins Glen, New York at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 82 laps to complete. At race's end, Joey Logano of Team Penske would dominate the race to win his 30th career NASCAR Xfinity Series win and his second and final win of the season. To fill out the podium, A. J. Allmendinger of GMS Racing and Justin Allgaier of JR Motorsports would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Sirius at The Glen</span> Motor car race

The 2004 Sirius at The Glen was the 22nd stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 19th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, August 15, 2004, in Watkins Glen, New York at the shortened layout of Watkins Glen International, a 2.454 miles permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 90 laps to complete. At race's end, a sick Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would be able to overcome sickness and soiling himself during the race, defending against Ron Fellows of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. to win his 19th career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series win and his second and final win of the season. To fill out the podium, Mark Martin of Roush Racing would finish third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen</span> 22nd race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 2003 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was the 22nd stock car race of the 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 18th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, August 10, 2003, before a crowd of 100,000 at the shortened layout of Watkins Glen International, a 2.454 miles permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 90 laps to complete. At race's end, Robby Gordon of Richard Childress Racing would stretch out a fuel run in the last 39 laps of the race to win his third and final career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his second and final win of the season. To fill out the podium, Scott Pruett of Chip Ganassi Racing and Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt Jr. would finish second and third, respectively.

The 2013 Zippo 200 at The Glen was the 21st stock car race of the 2013 NASCAR Nationwide Series and the 19th iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, August 10, 2013, in Watkins Glen, New York at Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile (3.94 km) permanent road course. The race took the scheduled 82 laps to complete. At race's end, Brad Keselowski, driving for Penske Racing, would dominate the race to win his 24th career NASCAR Nationwide Series win and his fourth of the season. To fill out the podium, Sam Hornish Jr. of Penske Racing and Brian Vickers of Joe Gibbs Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen</span> 22nd race of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 2002 Sirius Satellite Radio at The Glen was the 22nd stock car race of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Series and the 17th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, August 11, 2002, at the shortened layout of Watkins Glen International, a 2.454 miles permanent road course layout. The race took the scheduled 90 laps to complete. At race's end, Tony Stewart, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, would hold off the field on a restart with one to go to win his 15th career NASCAR Winston Cup Series win and his second and final win of the season. To fill out the podium, Ryan Newman of Penske Racing and Robby Gordon of Richard Childress Racing would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Go Bowling at The Glen</span> NASCAR Cup Series race

The 2022 Go Bowling at The Glen was a NASCAR Cup Series race held on August 21, 2022, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. Contested over 90 laps on the 2.45-mile (3.94 km) road course, it was the 25th race of the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series season.

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Watkins Glen". Britanica.
  6. ↑ Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. "Watkins Glen State Park – the untold story…". Wordpress. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  7. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Section O: Environmental Conservation and Recreation, Table O-9". 2014 New York State Statistical Yearbook (PDF). The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. 2014. p. 674. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 28, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Watkins Glen State Park History". Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  12. ↑ Defechereux, Philippe (1998). Watkins Glen 1948-1952: The Definitive Illustrated History. Beeman Jorgensen. ISBN   0-929758-17-X.
  13. ↑ "Our History". IMRRC. International Motor Racing Research Center. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Collecting, Preserving and Sharing History". IMRRC. International Motor Racing Research Center. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Curveball Forced to Cancel".
  16. ↑ Johnson, Shane (May 8, 2014). "True Love Schooner". WSKG. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
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