Irondequoit, New York
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Irondequoit is a town (and census-designated place) in Monroe County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the CDP had a total population of 52,354.
The Town of Irondequoit is a major suburb of the City of Rochester, New York, lying just north and east of the city limits.
History
In 1682 Marquis de Denonville led an army of French soldiers and Huron warriors on a punitive expedition against the Iroquois through Irondequoit Bay, beginning the long enmity between the Iroquois and the French.After the American Revolution, this area was part of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The Town of Irondequoit was founded in 1839.
During the last part of the 19th Century the north edge of the town was developed as a tourist and vacation area for the City of Rochester residents, and was once known as the "Coney Island of Western New York."
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 43.6 km² (16.8 mi²). 39.3 km² (15.2 mi²) of it is land and 4.2 km² (1.6 mi²) of it (9.69%) is water.The town lies between the Genesee River on the west and Irondequoit Bay on the east. The north border of the town is defined by the shoreline of Lake Ontario.
It should be noted that an unusual boundary exists between the Town of Irondequoit and the adjacent City of Rochester. On the western border of Irondequoit, the city claims a thin strip that extends northward along the banks of the river from Seneca Park to Lake Ontario, at some points less than 50 yards from the shore. The result is that the City of Rochester claims the entire eastern shore of the Genesee, and the border of the Town of Irondequoit never reaches the river.
Similarly, the northern half of Durand Eastman Park (including Durand Beach), lies within the city's borders, along with a narrow strip running along Culver Road for approximately five miles southward to Norton Street. This leads to much confusion, even among long-term residents, about whether places such as Seneca Park or Durand Park lie within the Town of Irondequoit or the City of Rochester. In fact, Seneca Park was annexed by the City of Rochester in 1891, and Durand Eastman Park was given to the city in 1908. These various boundary peculiarities are illustrated by this [town map.]
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 52,354 people, 22,247 households, and 14,327 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 1,330.7/km² (3,447.4/mi²). There were 23,037 housing units at an average density of 585.6/km² (1,516.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 93.03% White, 3.55% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.98% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.02% from other races, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.06% of the population.There were 22,247 households out of which 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $45,276, and the median income for a family was $55,493. Males had a median income of $41,463 versus $30,937 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $23,638. About 3.8% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.6% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
In 1965, Irondequoit became part of civil rights history by being part of the first totally voluntary desegregation program ever. The Urban Suburban Program, which still operates today, was begun with 25 first graders from the inner city of Rochester who peacefully began a 12 year educational process mostly in West Irondequoit while other cities all over the country wrestled with fear and chaos due to inner city riots and violent confrontations over forced busing programs. Although small in number of students involved, the program became a model for other similar programs around the country.
Famous Citizens
Notable people who were either born in Irondequoit or were long-time residents include Pitney Bowes CEO Michael Critelli, and Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex and three-time New York State gubernatorial candidate. Both are graduates of Bishop Kearney High School.Richard Brookhiser, noted historian and biographer of various American founding fathers, was a 1973 graduate of Irondequoit High School. Sports historian Sean Lahman was also a graduate of the school.
Don Holleder, star of the Army's mid-fifties football team and Vietnam war hero, grew up in Irondequoit. A number of students from Irondequoit High School have played professional sports at the major league level, including defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, Andy Hendel, a linebacker in the USFL and with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, and Matt Kerwick, a professional lacrosse All-Star with the Major Indoor Lacrosse League's Baltimore Thunder.
Communities and locations in Irondequoit
- Bayview -- A community on the west shore of Irondequoit bay in the southeast part of the town.
- Durand-Eastman Park -- A large park in the northern part of the town. Portions of the park are outside of the town limits.
- German Village -- A location in the northeast part of the town.
- Glen Haven -- A community on the west shore of Irondequoit bay in the southeast part of the town and south of Bayview.
- Heyer - Bayer Park named after longtime Irondequoit residents Arthur F. Heyer and George Bayer who donated the land to the town
- Irondequoit Cemetery --
- Joshua Park -- new park and soccer fields named for Joshua Rojas, an 11-year old boy who died during soccer practice in 2005. It was formerly "Irondequoit Plaza Park."
- McAvoy Park -- A Park with playing fields and playground equipment.
- Newport -- A community south of Route 104 by Irondequoit Bay.
- Seabreeze Amusement Park -- Locally owned and run amusement park, one of the oldest in the nation.
- Summerville -- A neighborhood along the lakefront of Lake Ontario, formerly summer cottages, now year-round homes. Summerville is in the northwest corner of the town.
- White City -- A shoreside neighborhood near Summerville.
- Windsor Beach -- A shoreside neighborhood near Summerville.
Buildings, institutions, and other places of note
- Bishop Kearney High School -- A co-educational Catholic High School.
- Camp Eastman --
- Eastridge High School --
- Helmer Nature Center --
- East Irondequoit High School -- Also known as Eastridge
- West Irondequoit High School -- Nickname recently changed from Indians to Eagles.
- Irondequoit Public Library - Helen McGraw Branch --
- Irondequoit Public Library - Pauline Evans Branch --
- House of Guitars -- A famous local business noted for its strange commercials on TV.
- Medley Centre -- formerly called the Irondequoit Mall.
- Parkside Whispering Pines - the oldest minature golf course still in existence. First opened in 1930.
External links
- [Town of Irondequoit Official Wesbite]
- [Town of Irondequoit.biz Business Portal]
- [Bishop Kearney High School]
- [Irondequoit Historical Society]
- [Dedication of Joshua Park]
- [Vintage Postcards with images of Irondequoit]
- [Article on plans for town center]
- [Newspaper series on history of Irondequoit]
- [Irondequoit Lighthouse Trail]
- [Medley Centre Website]
- [Transcript of WXXI news story and panel discussion on Urban Suburban Program (2003)]
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