About Chenango County
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Welcome to Chenango, New York, a destination known for its warm, friendly people, unrivaled lifestyle and beautiful natural surroundings.
The Chenango County area is centrally located in the southern tier region of New York State. The county seat of Norwich is advantageously located within a 50-mile radius of the major cities of Binghamton, Syracuse, Utica, Cooperstown and Oneonta.
Chenango is believed to have been derived from the Indian term ‘Land of the Bullthistle.’ In 1788 the land that is now Chenango County was purchased from the Indians. The county was formed in 1798. Many of the early settlers were dairy farmers. As the land prospered, cheese factories, mills and other businesses formed along the County’s numerous rivers and streams.
Today, you can enjoy untouched natural beauty that recalls the area’s long history. Or immerse yourself in a community that embraces arts and culture but hasn’t lost its small-town feel. Whether you’re here for a special weekend, to attend one of our annual events, or just passing through, once you visit, be assured that Chenango County will always be “home.”
“Having it all” isn’t just a dream – it’s a way of life. The warmth and friendliness of the country combined with the vitality of the city make greater Chenango County a natural choice. You’ll enjoy the relaxed lifestyle, savor its cultural and recreational opportunities, and appreciate the environment of community and caring. The greater Chenango natives and newcomers alike believe that this is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
A visitor to this Central New York town, can find a museum, green spaces and many attractions in all seasons. The Afton Golf Course is one of the earliest in the area to open and brings many players to Afton. With its rich history, Afton has a thriving Historical Society, chartered in 1986, with a Museum offering many interesting and educational exhibits and programs. Site-seers often wish to visit the famous Mormon House and the old Universalist Church building built in 1819.
The picturesque community of Bainbridge, N.Y., located along the Susquehanna River in the rolling hills of Chenango County, boasts quiet streets, historic architecture and beautiful farmland, a true upstate New York, small-town community. Regional businesses provide a unique shopping experience, including specialty food, farm markets and antiques, while quaint, peaceful neighborhoods provide a relaxed quality of life. Residents enjoy the Saturday morning flea market in the classic New England village green, the vintage 1910 theatre, milk shakes and burgers at the 1950s-style diner, and enjoying the outdoors at the spacious General Clinton Park.
The Town of Greene is the largest municipality within Chenango County, having a resident population of approximately 7,000. With a strong tradition of family and community involvement, Greene offers an exceptional quality of life. As so many others have found, the natural beauty of the environment, combined with excellent recreational, cultural, and educational facilities make the Town of Greene a very appealing place to work, play, and live.
There is much to see and do around New Berlin. The Village hosts an Art Council which provides various performances throughout the year and the Village maintains its own Library in continued support of Arts and Literature. Children activities include day camp and Vacation Bible School as well as picnic and playground areas, a local lake for swimming and canoeing, as well as various school sponsored activities. Vacationers will also find Hunts Pond State Park as a nearby attraction which offers camping, a boat launch, fishing and a picnic area. The park, opened year round, is also adjacent to state land ideal for hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Back at the Village there are places to eat, shop or just sit and talk to local residents and learn more about our area.
The wonders of Norwich have been attracting people since before it even had a name and it hasn’t slowed down since. People are often amazed at how much diversity you can find in the two square miles that make up the City of Norwich! It has long been the destination for agribusiness, museums, shopping, dining, manufacturing, and simply relaxing. It’s filled with contrasts: old and new, country charm and modern sophistication.
Oxford, a small village located beside the Chenango River midway between Binghamton and Utica, in the heart of Chenango County, is a community of beautiful old homes, churches and well-kept parks. Oxford, NY is rich in history and diversity, and has much to offer the visitor including walking tours of historic homes and convenient shopping for everything from antiques to hand crafted items. Oxford is filled with a variety of art and craft galleries, a museum- rich with local history and artifacts, a folk music center (featuring some of the best -big name- performers anywhere), and loads to do for the outdoor enthusiasts!
The Village of Sherburne is known for one of the largest and oldest band pageant contests in the northeastern United States. The first pageant took place on September 17, 1949 with approximately 400 musicians and 4,000 spectators. Fast forward to recent years, with numbers reaching over 40 bands from all over the country, and close to 25,000 spectators. Sherburne is also the home of both Rogers Environmental Center (Friends of Rogers), a well-known outdoor attraction, and Gilligan’s Ice Cream, the first ice cream place in New York State to push legislation to manufacture and sell their beer, wine and alcohol infused ice cream.
County Data
Get all the facts and figures on Chenango County below. Click any topic below to download the appropriate PDF.
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