Chenango
County, New York lies centrally located in
the state's Southern
Tier Region. It covers almost 900 square miles
of beautiful rolling hills and fertile river
valleys. Four rivers wind their way through the
County: the Susquehanna, the Chenango, the Unadilla
and the Ostelic. Waterfowl and wildlife still thrive
along the banks and visitors are drawn to the rural
beauty of the area.The
hills and the waters divide Chenango County into
distinct regions. The word Chenango means “pleasant
river flowing through the land of the bull thistle.”
Residents remember the tenacity and endurance of
those who first settled here, much like the county’s
namesake, the hearty and persistent bull thistle.
The County preserves ten National Historic
Districts throughout its area, and lovely 19th
century architecture graces the tree-lined streets
of the quiet towns and villages.
The
Olde Jericho Tavern remains a landmark established
in 1805 in the town of Bainbridge,
which also boasts a Victorian gazebo and fountain.
The county seat of Norwich
proudly displays its elegant domed courthouse, built
in 1838. The town of Otselic
retains its fishing heritage. Residents still crowd
the banks of the river on the first day of trout
fishing, recalling the days when it held the title
of ‘Tackle Town, USA.’ Nine museums
await history buffs, to tell the rich history of
Chenango County.
This
predominantly rural County remains a Mecca for outdoor
enthusiasts and those seeking to get away from
the bustle of urban life. Over 60% of Chenango
County lies covered in forest, while 30% is put to
agricultural use. A mere 5% has been developed for
residential, commercial or industrial usage. With
four rivers, lush old-growth forests, rolling hills
and over 80 thousand acres of state lands, Chenango
County offers a variety of water sports as well as horseback
riding, hiking and camping, along with miles of
trails for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
The lovely Finger
Lakes Trail, which runs 562 miles connecting the
Catskills
and the Allegheny
Mountains, wanders 72 miles through the County,
including a trek through the stunning North
Pharsalia Gorge.
Chenango
County draws sportsmen
from all over to visit the many acres of wilderness.
Deer, bear, wild turkey and other game birds abound
here. The populations of coyote, raccoon, and fox
remains higher here than anywhere else in the state.
Fishermen, too, have long known the value of
Chenango County’s many lakes and streams,
especially those who enjoy trout fishing.
Chenango
County consists of twenty-one towns, eight villages,
and the city of Norwich. The county population was
near 52,000 in the 2,000 Census, while Norwich
itself was over 7,000. The town of Greene
holds close to 6,000, and the tiniest village would
be Lincklaen
with less than 500 residents. Some of the major
employers through the county are Proctor and Gamble
Pharmaceuticals, Elmer’s Products, Amphenol and
Anderson Laboratories. With its extremely low crime
rate and high quality of life, Chenango County will
attract more and more firms and corporations into
the area. The CCIDA, Chenango
County Industrial Development Association, is
available to aid new industries in relocating.
Norwich is one of New York’s designated Empire
Zones, complete with local and state tax incentives
to encourage future growth.
Chenango
County, New York is a pristine wilderness containing
many long-standing and committed communities. It is
a wonderful place to escape from the urban sprawl
and an excellent choice to settle in and build a new
future.
Also
serving Sherbern, Oxford, Afton, Bainbridge, New
Berlin, Guilford, McDonough, Pharsalia and Mt.
Upton.
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