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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.
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