City of Beacon
Seal
Nickname: Tree City
Location in the state of New York
Coordinates: 41°30′15″N 73°57′56″W / 41.50417, -73.96556
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Dutchess
Government
- Mayor	Steve K. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The political units and divisions of the United States include The 50 states (four of these being officially styled as Commonwealths) which are typically New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous There are 62 counties in the State of New York. The first twelve counties in New York were created immediately after the British annexation of the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam Dutchess County is a County located in the US state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Gold area_footnotes =
Area
- Total	4. Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. 9 sq mi (12. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 7 km²)
- Land	4. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions we list here areas between 1000 km2 and 10000 km2 8 sq mi (12. 4 km²)
- Water	0. 1 sq mi (0. 3 km²)
Elevation	138 ft (42 m)
Population (2005)
- Total	Approx 16,000 Living and 25,000 Working/ Tourism (city proper)
- Density	3,333/sq mi (2,072/km²)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	12508
Area code(s)	845
FIPS code	36-05100
GNIS feature ID	0977521
Website: City of Beacon

Beacon is a city located in Dutchess County, New York, United States. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International ----The term city limits (or city boundary) refers to the defined boundary of a City. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−5 is the Time offset used in the North American Eastern Time Zone during Standard time and in the North American Central Time Zone during Daylight saving time ( DST The Eastern Time Zone ( ET) of the Western Hemisphere falls mostly along the east coast of North America and the west coast of South America UTC−4 is the Time offset used in the Atlantic Standard Time Zone in Canada in winter and the North American Eastern Time Zone during The ZIP code is the system of Postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks Area code 845 is a State of New York Telephone Area code which serves the Hudson Valley counties of Rockland, Putnam, Federal Information Processing Standards ( FIPS) are publicly announced standards developed by the United States Federal government for use by all non-military The Geographic Names Information System ( GNIS) is a database that contains name and locative information about more than two million physical and cultural features located throughout A city is an Urban area with a large Population and a particular Administrative, Legal, or Historical status Dutchess County is a County located in the US state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Although the city's estimated living population is around 16,000 people, the 2000 census placed the city total population at 13,808. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Beacon was named to commemorate the historic beacon fires that blazed forth from the summit of the Fishkill Mountains to alert the Continental Army about British troop movements. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America

The City of Beacon is located in the southwest corner of Dutchess County, in the fast growing Mid-Hudson Region. Dutchess County is a County located in the US state of New York, in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. For the Magazine, see Hudson Valley (magazine It sits 59 miles north of New York City. The City of New York It is also located approximately 90 miles south of Albany. Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County.

History

The area occupied as Beacon was originally settled as the Villages of Matteawan and Fishkill Landing in 1709, which were among the first communities in the state. Beacon incorporated as a city in 1913, amalgamating the two villages as well as a small portion of the Hamlet of Glenham from the Town of Fishkill.

The city served a variety of roles during the Revolutionary War. It manufactured war supplies, and served as a fort and signaling point. The city's name came from signal fires that were atop nearby Beacon Mountain. During the 1800s, the city became a factory town and was known as "The Hat Making Capital of the US" with nearly 50 hat factories operating at one time.

During the 1960s, urban renewal led to the destruction of some significant historic buildings. In the late 1970s, the Dutchess Ski area, which had been a large tourist attraction, was closed. Also in the 1970s, a decline in the economy shuttered most of the factories. This decline quickly became a severe and ongoing economic downturn that lasted from about 1970 to the late 1990s, during which almost 80 percent of the city's commercial business spaces and factories were vacant.

Starting in the late 1990s, with the opening of one of the world's largest contemporary art museums Dia: Beacon, Beacon began to an artistic and commercial rebirth. New development continues to enlarge the city. Currently, the two largest planned projects are a waterfront hotel and conference center, and "The Rivers and Estuaries Center" on Dennings Point.

The Mount Beacon Incline Railway

From 1902 to 1975, the Mount Beacon Incline Railway was one of the steepest incline railways in existence (a 65% grade). The Mount Beacon Incline Railway was a popular Tourist attraction in Beacon, New York, USA, and the neighboring Town It took an estimated 3 million people up to the 1,540-foot summit of Mount Beacon. Beacon Mountain, sometimes Mount Beacon, is the highest peak of the Hudson Highlands, located behind the City of Beacon, New York, in the Fire and vandalism destroyed the incline railway. There is now a movement to restore it.

Geography

Beacon is located at 41°30'15" North, 73°57'56" West (41. 504243, -73. 965576)^[1].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title) is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census 9 square miles (12. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. 7 km²), of which 4. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 8 square miles (12. 4 km²) is land and 0. 1 square miles (0. 3 km²) is water. The total area is 2. 25% water.

Located on the eastern shore of the Hudson River, Beacon is noted for its proximity to numerous historic sites and large cities. The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami It is located minutes away from Bannerman's Castle and West Point. Pollepel Island is an Island in the Hudson River.Also known as Pollopel Island, Pollopel's Island and Bannerman Island, it is the West Point is a federal military reservation (and a Census-designated place) located North of the Village of Highland Falls in Orange County New York Beacon also sits with the famous Mount Beacon as its backdrop and the Hudson River as its front door. Beacon Mountain, sometimes Mount Beacon, is the highest peak of the Hudson Highlands, located behind the City of Beacon, New York, in the The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami The city also is located across the river from its larger sister city, Newburgh. Beacon is just 20 minutes south of the Hudson Valley Region Capital City, Poughkeepsie. For the Magazine, see Hudson Valley (magazine Poughkeepsie (pəˈkɪpsiː is a City in New York, USA and serves as the County seat of Dutchess County, located in the Hudson In addition, Danbury, Connecticut is located to the east and New York City is to the south.

The city includes the following neighborhoods:

Main Neighborhoods

• River Side Section
• Mountain Side Section

Secondary Neighborhoods

• North Tree Streets
• South Tree Streets
• Groveville
• Business District (Main Street Area)
• "Davies" or "The Apartments" (Section of City with a Concentrated Area of Public Housing on South Ave)

Demographics

Although the city's population is estimated to be about 16,000 people, the census^[2] of 2000 placed the city's population at 13,808 people. A neighbourhood or neighborhood (see spelling differences) is a geographically localised Community within a larger City, Town or A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The census also showed that the city has 5,091 households and 3,360 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,115. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 3/km² (2,891. 6/sq mi), based on the census population of 13,808. There are 5,406 housing units at an average density of 1,132. 1/sq mi (436. 7/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 9,440 or 68. 37% White and 4,368 or 31. 63% Minority. The minority population is dominated by African Americans at 2,713 residents or 19. 65%, then followed by Hispanic or Latino which make up 2,334 residents or 16. 90% of the city. Smaller minority groups include 956 residents or 6. 92% from other races, 181 residents or 1. 31% Asian, 43 residents or 0. 31% Native American, and 0. 00% Pacific Islander. Also, the city includes 475 residents or 3. 44% identifying themselves as two or more races.

Based on census data showing 5,091 households, 34. 7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44. 6% are married couples living together, 16. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** 9% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34. 0% are non-families. 28. 6% of all households are made up of individuals and 10. 4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2. 61 and the average family size is 3. 23.

Of the city's total population, 27. 1% are under the age of 18, 7. 1% are between 18 to 24, 31. 9% are between 25 to 44, 21. 7% are between 45 to 64, and 12. 2% are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 90. 3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86. 3 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $45,236, and the median income for a family is $53,811. Males have a median income of $40,949 versus $29,154 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,654. Per capita income means how much each individual receives in monetary terms of the yearly income generated in the country 1,465 residents or 11% of the population and 310 families or 9. 1% of the total number of families are living below the poverty line. The poverty threshold, or poverty line, is the minimum level of Income deemed necessary to achieve an adequate Standard of living in a given country Of the total population, 834 residents or 11% of those under the age of 18 and 99 residents or 8. 6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The city's housing stock is currently composed of 10% subsidized housing, of which about 400 units are state and federal housing projects.

Places of interest

Professional sports

• Hudson Valley Renegades - Class A Minor League Baseball Team for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Hudson Valley Renegades are a Minor league baseball team affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball franchise based in St Team plays out of Dutchess Stadium located in neighboring Fishkill. Dutchess Stadium (occasionally referred to as "The Dutch" is a Stadium in Wappingers Falls New York. Fishkill is a Town in Dutchess County, New York, USA. The population was 20258 at the 2000 census (3-5 Minutes North of City)

Museums and institutes

• Dia:Beacon - Contemporary Arts Museum. (In City)
• The Beacon Institute of Rivers and Estuaries - A major river and estuary research institute. Headquartered on the Hudson River in the City of Beacon, in Dutchess County, New York, The Beacon Institute serves as one of the nation's largest environmental research (In City)

Historic sites

• Madam Brett Homestead — 50 Van Nydeck Avenue — the oldest building in Dutchess County, the home was owned and occupied by one family for seven generations and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Madame Brett Homestead is an early 18th-century home located in the city of Beacon, New York, USA. The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP is the United States government's official list of districts sites buildings structures and objects deemed worthy of ^[3]
• Lower Main Street Historic District — The first several blocks of Main Street east of its junction with South Avenue feature many small businesses located in vintage Italianate-style buildings. In the course of the history of Classical architecture, an Italianate style of architecture was a distinct nineteenth-century phase in which Italian sixteenth-century Architectural styles classify Architecture in terms of Form, techniques, Materials, time period region etc

Parks

• Memorial Park - Located in the center of the city and serves as the city's "Central Park". It is the city's primary park and many civic events are hosted there. (In city)
• Riverfront Park - The City's riverfront park, which is located on a peninsula jutting out into the Hudson River. The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami A very active park that hosts numerous events. (In city)
• Green Street Park - A neighborhood park located in the Mountain Side Section of the city (In city)
• Hammond Field - A neighborhood park located in the River Side Section of the City that is primarily used for the city school district functions. Is the home of the "Beacon Bulldogs" Track and Football venues. (In city)
• South Ave Park - A housing project park for the Forrestal Heights Houses. Primarily used for the Beacon Hoops program, a city youth basketball program. (In city)
• Hudson Highlands State Park - The state park located behind and just south of the city. The Hudson Highlands are the Mountains on both sides of the Hudson River in the U A very large state park that covers Mount Beacon. (1-3 minutes east and south of city)
• Forrestal Park - connected to Forrestal Elementary on Liberty Street this large playground with a basketball court is a long time favorite with locals. (in city)

Transportation

Beacon's most major route is Interstate 84, which passes through the city's northside, providing a connection that is minutes to the Taconic State Parkway, New York State Thruway, and Stewart International Airport. Interstate 84 (abbreviated I-84) is an Interstate highway extending from Dunmore Pennsylvania (near Scranton Pennsylvania) at an intersection The Taconic State Parkway (often called the Taconic or the TSP) is a part of the New York State highway system The New York State Thruway (officially the Governor Thomas E Dewey Thruway) is a limited-access toll Highway in the U For the military use of this facility see Stewart Air National Guard Base Stewart International Airport is located west of Newburgh The city also has the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge which carries the interstate over the Hudson River. The Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, (officially the Hamilton Fish Newburgh-Beacon Bridge) is a cantilever toll bridge that spans the Hudson River The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk, the Great Mohegan by the Iroquois, or as the Lenape Native Americans called it in Unami

Although Interstate 84 is the city's most major route, NY Route 9D serves as the city's arterial. Interstate 84 (abbreviated I-84) is an Interstate highway extending from Dunmore Pennsylvania (near Scranton Pennsylvania) at an intersection New York State Route 9D (NY 9D also known as the Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway, is a north-south road that runs along the eastern shore of the Hudson River. It starts at the city's northside where it intersects with Interstate 84 as the Interstate's Exit 11 and wraps around the city to its southside. Interstate 84 (abbreviated I-84) is an Interstate highway extending from Dunmore Pennsylvania (near Scranton Pennsylvania) at an intersection The city also has New York State Route 52 Business that runs down the middle of the city and begins in the city's westside at NY Route 9D. New York State Route 9D (NY 9D also known as the Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway, is a north-south road that runs along the eastern shore of the Hudson River.

Commuter service to New York City is available via the MTA Beacon Train Station, served by Metro-North Railroad. The City of New York Beacon is a Metro-North Railroad station that serves the residents of Beacon, New York, via the Hudson Line. The Metro-North Commuter Railroad Company, or MTA Metro-North Railroad, or more commonly Metro-North, is a Suburban commuter rail service

Beacon is also serviced weekdays by a commuter ferry, The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry, over the Hudson between both cities to help alleviate traffic to the Beacon Train Station from Orange County commuters. The Newburgh-Beacon Ferry is a ferry service crossing the Hudson River that connects Newburgh with Beacon New York. The ferry's route runs between Beacon City Harbor and Newburgh City Waterfront.

In nearby Wappingers Falls, the Dutchess County Airport services local commuter flights. For the Native American tribe see Wappani. Wappingers Falls is a Village in Dutchess County, New York, United Dutchess County Airport a county-owned public-use Airport located in the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County, New York, United States The nearest major airport to Beacon is Stewart International Airport about 10 minutes away, in Newburgh. For the military use of this facility see Stewart Air National Guard Base Stewart International Airport is located west of Newburgh

Municipal bus service is provided by the county's Dutchess County LOOP Bus System, which provides commuter service throughout the county. Its main line from Beacon travels from Main & NY Route 9D up Route 9D to the Poughkeepsie Galleria and South Hills Mall in the Town Of Poughkeepsie. New York State Route 9D (NY 9D also known as the Bear Mountain-Beacon Highway, is a north-south road that runs along the eastern shore of the Hudson River. The Poughkeepsie Galleria is a Shopping mall on US 9 in the Town of Poughkeepsie New York, not far from Wappingers Falls, and is the biggest South Hills Mall was an indoor Shopping mall on US 9 in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, not far from Wappingers Falls.

Notable people

Born and Raised

• James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy 1944-1947 and Secretary of Defense from 1947-1949. James Vincent Forrestal ( February 15, 1892 &ndash May 22, 1949) was a United States Secretary of the Navy and the first United One of the city's four elementary schools and one of its federal housing projects is named in his honor.
• Melio Bettina [1], World Light Heavyweight Champion Boxer in 1939. Melio Bettina ( November 18, 1916 - December 20, 1996 in Beacon New York) was a professional boxer A small street in the city's center is named in his honor.
• Robert Montgomery, famous actor who served as head of the Screen Actors Guild in 1935 and 1946. Robert Montgomery ( May 21, 1904 &ndash September 27, 1981) was an American actor and director The Screen Actors Guild ( SAG) is an American labor union representing over 120000 Film and television principal performers and background He also was a Lieutenant Commander in the U. S. Navy during WWII.
• Digger Phelps, head basketball coach at Notre Dame (1972-91), won more games (393) than any coach in Irish history. Richard "Digger" Phelps (born July 4 1941) was the coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish basketball team in the 1970s 1980s and The University of Notre Dame du Lac (or simply Notre Dame) (ˌnoʊtɚˈdeɪm is a private Roman Catholic Research university located in Coached junior varsity basketball in Beacon before moving away. A small street off west Main Street is named in his honor.
• Wallace E. Conkling, (1896-1979), 7th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, was born October 25, 1896, in Matteawan, now part of Beacon and grew up there. Wallace Edmonds Conkling was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago and served from 1941 to 1953 The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago is the official organization of the Episcopal Church in Chicago and Northern Illinois, USA.

Residents at one time

• William Few, a Founding Father of the United States
• Clifford Shull ^[4], Nobel Prize winning American physicist. William Few Jr ( June 8, 1748 &mdash July 16, 1828) was an American politician and a Founding Father of the United The Founding Fathers of the United States are the Political leaders who signed the Declaration of Independence or otherwise participated in the Clifford Glenwood Shull ( Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, September 23, 1915 &ndash March 31, 2001) was a Nobel Prize -winning The Nobel Prize (Nobelpriset (Nobelprisen is a Swedish prize established in the 1895 will of Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel; it was first awarded in Peace, Literature The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A physicist is a Scientist who studies or practices Physics. Physicists study a wide range of physical phenomena in many branches of physics spanning
• Joseph Howland, civil war general and philanthropist. Joseph Howland ( December 3, 1834 New York City - March 31, 1886 Menton, Alpes-Maritimes, France)
• Bruce Molsky, old-time fiddler, guitarist, and singer
• Kevin Baggaley, artist, philosopher
• Gloria Swanson, famous actress who was filmed in Airport (1974) and Killer Bees (1974). Bruce C Molsky (b Manhattan, New York, 1955 is an American Fiddler Banjo player Guitarist and singer Gloria Swanson (March 27 1899 – April 4 1983 was an Academy Award -nominated Golden Globe -winning American Hollywood
• Elmer Steele, Major League Baseball player who played for Boston, Pittsburgh, and Brooklyn from 1907 to 1911 as a pitcher. Elmer Rae Steele ( May 17, 1886 in Poughkeepsie New York – March 9, 1966 in Rhinebeck New York) was a Pitcher Most notable in the Hudson Valley for earning a 244-5 semi-pro record and becoming a phenom that had a short career of 5 years in the majors due to a career ending arm injury.
• Michael J. "Hootman" Giannoni, (1954-2008), natural bodybuilder from Mount Vernon who resided in Beacon through the 80's, 90's, and 2000's. He won Mr. World All Natural in 1988 & 1990.
• Pete Seeger, folk singer, activist

Misconceptions

• Although many people believe that legendary folk-singer/songwriter Pete Seeger is a resident because of his large community involvement, he is actually a resident of the Town of Fishkill, in the hamlet of Dutchess Junction. Peter "Pete" Seeger (born May 3 1919 is an American folk singer political Activist, and a key figure in the mid-20th century American Peter "Pete" Seeger (born May 3 1919 is an American folk singer political Activist, and a key figure in the mid-20th century American

Movies Filmed in Town

Major Motion Pictures

• War of the Worlds (2005) - The movie's production studio, Paramont, stated that a scene was shot in the city during its 2004 filming, which was confirmed via the IMDb Movie Database. War of the Worlds is a 2005 Science fiction Disaster film based on H
• Drowning Mona - The movie's production studio, Code Entertainment, claims that the movie was based and partially filmed in the city during its 1999 filming. Drowning Mona is a 2000 comedy - mystery starring Danny DeVito as Wyatt Rash a local police chief from Verplanck New York Confirmed via the IMDb Movie Database that the movie was based in the city and scenes were shot in the city.
• Super Troopers - Film was based in the city and the "Town Cop" scenes as well as most of the inside scenes were filmed in the city in 1999. Super Troopers, (also known as Broken Lizard's Super Troopers) is a 2001 Comedy film written by and starring the Broken Started out as an underground film and then became a very popular "teen comedy" movie.
• Nobody's Fool - Filmed largely in the home of the Schneider family. Nobody's Fool is a 1994 comedy-drama film based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Richard Russo. Many other scenes were filmed in the city in 1994, most notably three or four scenes that showed Main Street's "Main St. , USA" appeal. The movie featured an all-star cast with Paul Newman and Bruce Willis. It was also Jessica Tandy's last film.

Short Length B&W Pictures

• The Red Man's View - A cowboy and Indian movie filmed entirely on Mt. Beacon in 1909.
• Down the Mountainside, Turning Panorama of Mt Beacon, A Stern Chase, and Down the Mountainside - A release of the 1902 B&W short films of views from the "World's Steepest Incline Railway", Mt. Beacon's Incline Railway.

See also

• Beacon City Schools

References

External links

• City of Beacon, NY Official Website
• Beacon Dispatch (Local Newspaper)
• Beacon City School District Official Website
• Howland Public Library
• City of Beacon Fire Department
• City of Beacon Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 3490
• Unofficial Message Board - Local Discussion

• Beacon, New York is at coordinates 41°30′17″N 73°58′12″W / 41.50472, -73.97 (Beacon, New York)Coordinates: 41°30′17″N 73°58′12″W / 41.50472, -73.97 (Beacon, New York)