Editing Willsboro, New York

{{redirect|Willsboro|the census-designated place|Willsboro (CDP), New York|similarly named places|Willsborough (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Willsboro, New York
|settlement_type          = [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|Town]]
|image_skyline            = WillsboroNY PaineMemorialLibrary.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Paine Memorial Library, built in 1930
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_map                = Essex County New York incorporated and unincorporated areas Willsboro highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Essex County, New York|Essex County]] and the state of [[New York (state)|New York]]

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|44|22|29|N|73|24|24|W|region:US-NY|display=inline}}
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New York|County]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[New York (state)|New York]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Essex County, New York|Essex]]
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = [[Town Council]]
|leader_title             = [[Town Supervisor]]
|leader_name              = Shaun Gillilland ([[United States Republican Party|R]])
| leader_title1           = [[Town Council]]
| leader_name1            = {{Collapsible list
 |title       = Members' List
 |frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
 |title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
 |list_style  = text-align:left;display:none;
 |1           = • Spencer R. Stafford, Sr. ([[United States Republican Party|R]])
 |2           = • Charles Lustig, Jr. ([[United States Republican Party|R]])
 |3           = • Steven K. Benway ([[United States Democratic Party|D]])
 |4           = • Nancy E. Huestis ([[United States Republican Party|R]])
}}
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|area_footnotes           =<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_cousubs_36.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 9, 2024}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 190.06
|area_total_sq_mi         = 73.38
|area_land_km2            = 110.62
|area_land_sq_mi          = 42.71
|area_water_km2           = 79.44
|area_water_sq_mi         = 30.67

<!-- Population -->
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_m              = 39
|elevation_ft             = 128
|population_total         = 1905
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="Census 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=060XX00US3603182271 |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Willsboro town, Essex County, New York |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=March 9, 2024}}</ref>
|population_density_km2   = 17.22
|population_density_sq_mi = 44.60

<!-- General information -->
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 12996
|area_code                = [[Area code 518|518]]
|website                  = {{URL|townofwillsborony.gov}}
|footnotes                = 
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standards|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 36-031-82271
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0979643<ref name="GR3">{{cite web|url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]]|date=October 25, 2007}}</ref>
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Willsboro''' is a [[Administrative divisions of New York#Town|town]] in [[Essex County, New York|Essex County]], [[New York (state)|New York]], United States, and lies {{convert|30|mi}} south of the city of [[Plattsburgh (city), New York|Plattsburgh]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the town's population was 1,905.<ref name="Census 2020"/> The town is named after early landowner William Gilliland.

== History ==
During the [[American Revolutionary War|American Revolution]], British troops under [[John Burgoyne]] camped on the [[Bouquet River]].{{citation needed|date = April 2015}}

The region was first settled by Europeans in 1765 by William Gilliland. Originally called "Milltown" by its founder (for the sawmill he located on the falls of the Bouquet River, located in the center of the town), it was renamed "Willsborough" (subsequently shortened to "Willsboro") shortly after the Revolutionary War, in honor of the founder.{{citation needed|date = April 2015}}

The town has always had a thriving agricultural and tourism tradition, though the [[Industrial Revolution]] made its mark on the community as well. Through much of its history, Willsboro's main employer was a paper mill (which produced the wood pulp used in the manufacture of paper). A blue [[limestone]] [[quarry]] was also an important industry locally. The stone quarried from this mine was utilized in the construction of the [[New York State Capitol|Albany State Capitol]] and the [[Brooklyn Bridge]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, LIGONIER POINT HISTORIC DISTRICT |url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/lz/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_NY/12001129.pdf |access-date=March 18, 2024}}</ref>

One of the noted residents was the paper manufacturer [[Augustus G. Paine, Jr.]], who resided in Willsboro for a portion of the year, when he was not in New York, since his large business was located in Willsboro. He commissioned the architect [[C. P. H. Gilbert]] to construct the Essex County Bank in 1921.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aarch.org/events/handouts/willsboro.pdf |title=Architecture of the Champlain Valley, Willsboro |year=2010 |publisher=Adirondack Architectural Heritage |access-date=November 1, 2010}}</ref> In May 1930, Paine donated a whole library to the town of Willsboro, in memory of his mother, in the sum of $150,000.<ref>{{cite news |title=$150,000 Gift for Library; A.G. Paine Provides Memorial for Mother at Willsboro, N.Y. |newspaper=New York Times |date= May 20, 1930 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/05/20/archives/150000-gift-for-library-ag-paine-provides-memorial-for-mother-at.html?sq=Paine+provides+memorial+for+his+mother&scp=1&st=p |access-date=October 31, 2010}}</ref> Both the bank and the library were constructed by Gilbert in the [[Neoclassical architecture|Neoclassical]] style.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.willsborony.com/painememoriallibrary/my%20site%20one/History2.htm |title=History |year=2010 |publisher=Paine Memorial Library |access-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref>

Paine also had [[Flat Rock Camp]], his summer retreat on the shores of [[Lake Champlain]], constructed for his family.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aarch.org/resources/map/county/essex/window/flat.html |title=Flat Rock Camp |year=2010 |publisher=Adirondack Architectural Heritage |access-date=November 1, 2010}}</ref>

After the [[World War II|Second World War]], the paper industry started to decline, and when the paper mill closed in the 1960s the town faced economic difficulties. In order to compensate for the loss, the community relied heavily on tourist dollars, focusing on the scenic landscape, lake frontage, and lush wilderness the area offered visitors. Recently, new industries have moved to the town, most notably a wollastonite mine, curtain and furniture manufacturers, and numerous web-based service companies. Willsboro is also becoming a bedroom community for the city of Plattsburgh to the north.{{citation needed|date = April 2015}}

The [[Adsit Log House]], [[Abraham Aiken House]], [[Flat Rock Camp]], [[Ligonier Point Historic District]], [[Sheldon–Owens Farm]], [[Willsboro Congregational Church]], and [[The Willsboro School]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20121026.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places|date=October 26, 2012|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 10/15/12 through 10/19/12|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|190.1|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|110.7|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|79.4|km2|order=flip}}, or 41.80%, is water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020"/>

The eastern town line, marked by [[Lake Champlain]], is the border of [[Vermont]]. The [[Boquet River]] enters Lake Champlain in the town, east of Willsboro village.

[[New York State Route 22]] is a north–south highway which passes through Willsboro.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 888
|1830= 1316
|1840= 1658
|1850= 1932
|1860= 1519
|1870= 1719
|1880= 1450
|1890= 1568
|1900= 1522
|1910= 1580
|1920= 1684
|1930= 1612
|1940= 1780
|1950= 1646
|1960= 1716
|1970= 1688
|1980= 1759
|1990= 1736
|2000= 1903
|2010= 2025
|2020= 1905
|estyear= 
|estimate= 
|estref= 
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[File:Willsboro Congregational Church Nov 10.jpg|thumbnail|Willsboro Congregational Church]]
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,903 people, 803 households, and 549 families residing in the town.  The population density was {{convert|44.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,468 housing units at an average density of {{convert|34.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the town was 98.42% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.47% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.26% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.58% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.47% of the population.

There were 803 households, out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together; 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.5% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,715, and the median income for a family was $40,272. Males had a median income of $30,244 versus $20,917 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $20,209.  About 3.8% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==
*[[Sophie Clarke]], winner of ''[[Survivor: South Pacific]]''
*[[Hugh Pool]], master blues musician and record producer

== Communities and locations in Willsboro ==
*Farrell Point &ndash; A projection into the southern end of Willsboro Bay.
*Hatch Point &ndash; The northernmost part of the town, on the northern tip of Willsboro Point.
*Highland Forge Lake &ndash; A lake by the northern town line, north of Long Pond.
*Jones Point/Flat Rock Point &ndash; A projection into Lake Champlain, northeast of Willsboro village.
*Long Pond &ndash; A pond near the northern town line.
*Pok-O-Maccready; A local summer camp which has been in existence since 1904 and is the oldest family run camp in the United States.
*Reber &ndash; A [[Hamlet (New York)|hamlet]] in the southwestern part of the town, on County Road 14.
*[[Willsboro (CDP), New York|Willsboro]] &ndash; The hamlet of Willsboro is in the eastern part of the town on NY-22, near the point where the Boquet River enters Lake Champlain. It is also a resort community.
*Willsboro Bay &ndash; A bay of Lake Champlain between Willsboro Point and the mainland.
*Willsboro Point &ndash; A [[peninsula]] in Lake Champlain.
*[[Willsboro Point, New York|Willsboro Point]] &ndash; A hamlet on the eastern shore of Willsboro Point on County Road 27. [[Edgewater Farm]] was listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] in 1988.<ref name="nris"/>

[[File:Boquet River Willsboro Fall 2023.jpg|thumb|View of the Boquet River in Willsboro, New York. Taken in the fall of 2023.]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.townofwillsboro.com Town of Willsboro official website]
* [http://www.willsborony.com Willsboro information]
* [http://www.adkhistorycenter.org/esco/tow/willsboro.html History of Willsboro]
* [http://www.willsborocsd.org Willsboro Central School]

{{Essex County, New York}}

{{Coord|44|21|26|N|73|23|31|W|type:city_region:US-NY|display=title}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Essex County, New York]]
[[Category:Towns in New York (state)]]