Milan is a

town A town is a human settlement. Towns are generally larger than villages and smaller than cities, though the criteria to distinguish between them vary considerably in different parts of the world. Origin and use The word "town" shares an ori ...

Dutchess County Dutchess County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 295,911. The county seat is the city of Poughkeepsie. The county was created in 1683, one of New York's first twelve counties, and later organ ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

, United States. The town is in the northern part of the county and is very rural. As of the 2020 census it had a population of 2,245, slightly down from 2,370 in 2010. Milan is located approximately north of

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

, south of Albany, and west of

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

. It is bordered by Rhinebeck and Red Hook to the west, Pine Plains to the east,

Stanford Stanford University, officially Leland Stanford Junior University, is a private research university in Stanford, California. The campus occupies , among the largest in the United States, and enrolls over 17,000 students. Stanford is considere ...

to the southeast,

Clinton Clinton is an English toponymic surname, indicating one's ancestors came from English places called Glympton or Glinton.Hanks, P. & Hodges, F. ''A Dictionary of Surnames''. Oxford University Press, 1988 Clinton has frequently been used as a given ...

to the south, and Gallatin to the north by Columbia County. The only major route in the town is the historic

Taconic State Parkway The Taconic State Parkway (often called the Taconic or the TSP and known administratively as New York State Route 987G or NY 987G) is a Parkways in New York State, parkway between Kensico Dam and Chatham (town), New York, Chatham, the ...

, though

NY 199 New York State Route199 (NY199) is a state highway located in the Hudson Valley of the U.S. state of New York. Its western end is in Ulster County, where it begins as the continuation of the short U.S. Route 209 expressway east of its interchang ...

serves as the main local thoroughfare.

History

1760 Livingston Rowe Deed Upper Nine Partners Patent New York

The area that comprises Milan today was the western part of the

Little Nine Partners Patent The Little Nine Partners Patent was a land patent granted in 1706 in Dutchess County, New York, United States. It was the last of Dutchess County, New York#The Patents, fourteen patents granted between 1685 and 1706 which came to cover the entir ...

of 1706. Milan was largely a farming and mill town and remains very rural. The first settler in the area was Johannes Rowe. The son of a Palatine immigrant, Rowe bought from Robert Livingston, 3rd Lord of the Manor of Livingston, and built a stone house in 1766 on what is now Rowe Road near the Milan Town Hall."History of Dutchess County New York," James H. Smith, 1882, D. Mason & Co. publisher The remains of the house were photographed in 1940 for the

Historic American Buildings Survey Heritage Documentation Programs (HDP) is a division of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) responsible for administering the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS), Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), and Historic American Landscapes ...

Establishment of town and post office

The New York State Legislature voted on March 6, 1818, to create the town of Milan from the western part of the town of

North East The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...

, to be effective "from and after the last day in March" 1818. The session laws stated that the first town meeting would be held the first Tuesday of April and at the home of Stephen Thorn, who was elected

town supervisor The administrative divisions of New York are the various units of government that provide local services in the State of New York. The state is divided into boroughs, counties, cities, townships called "towns", and villages. (The only borou ...

along with John F. Bartlett, town clerk. Two 19th century histories of the town of Milan and Dutchess County (1877 and 1882) state there is no knowledge or evidence as to why the name "Milan" was chosen, but the name Milan had appeared in other areas of the state, and it was not unusual to take European city names at the time. What is now the city of

Syracuse Syracuse may refer to: Places Italy *Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa'' *Province of Syracuse United States *Syracuse, New York **East Syracuse, New York **North Syracuse, New York *Syracuse, Indiana * Syracuse, Kansas *Syracuse, Miss ...

was known as "Milan" for a brief period between 1809 and 1812. A settlement south of Syracuse was originally called "Milan" in 1790 before incorporation in 1802 as the town of

Locke Locke may refer to: People *John Locke, English philosopher *Locke (given name) *Locke (surname), information about the surname and list of people Places in the United States *Locke, California, a town in Sacramento County *Locke, Indiana *Locke, ...

. An unincorporated village there continued to be referred to as "Milan" but the Milan designation for that post office was changed to "Locke" on July 29, 1817. This cleared the way for the operation of the Milan post office on August 14, 1818, at what is now Case's Corners."A postal history of the town of Milan," Roy Ahlquist, 1992. MilanPOc1880

A town "in-between"

The main thoroughfares for the community ran from the

Hudson River The Hudson River is a river that flows from north to south primarily through eastern New York. It originates in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flows southward through the Hudson Valley to the New York Harbor between N ...

to Salisbury, Connecticut, and travelers referred to the road as the "

turnpike Turnpike often refers to: * A type of gate, another word for a turnstile * In the United States, a toll road Turnpike may also refer to: Roads United Kingdom * A turnpike road, a principal road maintained by a turnpike trust, a body with powers ...

." It later became recognized as the Salisbury Turnpike, and sections of the road still exist today and bear that name. In addition to farming and local mills in Milan,

lead Lead is a chemical element with the symbol Pb (from the Latin ) and atomic number 82. It is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. Lead is soft and malleable, and also has a relatively low melting point. When freshly cu ...

and

iron Iron () is a chemical element with symbol Fe (from la, ferrum) and atomic number 26. It is a metal that belongs to the first transition series and group 8 of the periodic table. It is, by mass, the most common element on Earth, right in f ...

were mined in areas around what is now Millerton, New York, and Salisbury, Connecticut, which was then brought to Livingston's furnaces at Ancram in Columbia County. Milan was "in-between" those towns and the river and as a result had a great deal of important commercial traffic going east–west through the town.

Remains least populous town

The early population peaked in 1840 at 1,745 residents and went into decline until 1930 with only 622 residents.US Federal Census schedules It was the opening of the

Erie Canal The Erie Canal is a historic canal in upstate New York that runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, vastly reducing t ...

(1825) and then the development of the railroad and the move to river cities and the

western migration Manifest destiny was a cultural belief in the 19th-century United States that American settlers were destined to expand across North America. There were three basic tenets to the concept: * The special virtues of the American people and th ...

that caused the decline. Also, Milan's soil was hilly and rocky and tough to farm. Then following the 1930s and the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

the population grew again, due in part to the construction of the

Taconic Parkway The Taconic State Parkway (often called the Taconic or the TSP and known administratively as New York State Route 987G or NY 987G) is a parkway between Kensico Dam and Chatham, the longest in the U.S. state of New York. It follows a ge ...

, which ended in Milan at the time, and then the post-

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

boom. The 1840 population level was reached again in 1980, some 140 years later. From the 1980s to the turn of the new century, Milan was one of the fastest-growing towns in Dutchess County. However, it remains the least-populous town in the county.

State historic markers

Partial

list of New York State historic markers This is a list of New York State Historic Markers by county. There are over 2800 historical markers in New York State. The program was started in 1926 to commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Revolutionary War and was discontinued in 1966. ...

in Milan: * Jackson Corners—Colonial Inn: built about 1773 Stage Inn, doctor's office, hotel, store, post office of Jackson Corners. * Jackson Corners—Nobletown Road: running from post road in Livingston, through Gallatin, Ancram, state line, Nobletown, to Barrington, N.H. In use before 1798. * Turkey Hill Road—Fulton Homestead: John Fulton, first owner. Deed recorded Oct. 12, 1795 has always been in possession of the Fulton family. In Fulton name Until 1933. * Turkey Hill Road—Burial Ground: Chief Crow and other Mohican shacomecos of Moravian faith buried here. Last burial about 1850.

Geography and roads

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 1.28%, is water. The northern town line is the border of Columbia County. The

runs north–south along the eastern part of the town. The entire highway and its supporting structures are listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

New York State Route 199 New York State Route199 (NY199) is a state highway located in the Hudson Valley of the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Its western end is in Ulster County, New York, Ulster County, where it begins as the continuation of the short U.S. R ...

runs east–west through the town of Milan, going to Red Hook and over the

Kingston–Rhinecliff Bridge The George Clinton Kingston–Rhinecliff Bridge is a continuous under-deck truss toll bridge that carries NY 199 across the Hudson River in New York State north of the City of Kingston and the hamlet of Rhinecliff. It was opened to traffic o ...

to the west. It is the direct route to Pine Plains and Millerton to the east.

Parks and recreation

The

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (informally referred to as NYSDEC, DEC, EnCon or NYSENCON) is a department of New York state government. The department guides and regulates the conservation, improvement, and protection ...

owns, manages and maintains two Multiple Use Areas in Milan. Both are east of the Taconic State Parkway. The Lafayetteville Multiple Use Area comprises , with an entrance on Route 199 between the Taconic State Parkway and

New York State Route 82 New York State Route 82 (NY 82) is a state highway in the eastern Hudson Valley of New York (state), New York in the United States. It begins at an junction with New York State Route 52, NY 52 northeast of the Fishkill (village), New ...

.Dutchess County Tourism
/ref> The Roeliff Jansen Kill Multiple Use Area is and is accessed from a pull-off on the east side of the Taconic State Parkway near the

Roeliff Jansen Kill The Roeliff Jansen Kill is a major tributary to the Hudson River. Roeliff Jansen Kill was the traditional boundary between the Native American Mahican and Wappinger tribes. Its source is in the town of Austerlitz, New York, and its mouth is at th ...

. Dutchess County owns, manages and maintains the Wilcox Memorial Park on Route 199, east of the Taconic State Parkway. The town of Milan owns, manages and maintains the Milan Rec Park on South Road. It contains a softball field and children's play area, and has a trail maintained by the Milaners Youth Group. It is also the location of the recycling and transfer station. Dutchess County Tourism describes a scenic driving tour that includes the town.

Development

In 2002 the Durst Organization, largely known for its high-rise developments in

Manhattan Manhattan (), known regionally as the City, is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. The borough is also coextensive with New York County, one of the original counties of the U.S. state ...

, bought that straddles the town of Milan and Pine Plains, with plans to create a second home and recreational community. The original proposal included almost 1,000 homes along with golf courses. Durst's January 2010 revised plans would allow for 624 homes (572 in Pine Plains and 52 in Milan). By 2002 Red Wing Sand and Gravel of

East Fishkill East Fishkill is a Town (New York), town on the southern border of Dutchess County, New York, Dutchess County, New York (state), New York, United States. The population was 29,707 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census. The town was once the ...

had bought two large parcels in the northern part of Milan ( on Turkey Hill Road and on Academy Hill Road) with a view to operating two large-scale mines. But on March 30, 2010, the

New York Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the State of New York is the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in the New York State Unified Court System. (Its Appellate Division is also the highest intermediate appellate court.) It is vested with unlimited civ ...

ruled in favor of the Town of Milan and its town-wide ban on mining. The town was defended successfully by the office of the New York Attorney General, preventing the mining company from proceeding to develop mines at those locations.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,370 people, 964 households, and 650 families residing in the town. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...

was 65.7 people per square mile (28.4/km²). There were 1,279 housing units at an average density of 35.4 per square mile (13.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.3%

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White on ...

, 1.9%

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.5% Native American, .5%

Asian Asian may refer to: * Items from or related to the continent of Asia: ** Asian people, people in or descending from Asia ** Asian culture, the culture of the people from Asia ** Asian cuisine, food based on the style of food of the people from Asi ...

, .04%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe the original p ...

, .8% some other race, and 1.1% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to Vic ...

Latino Latino or Latinos most often refers to: * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America * Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States * The people or cultures of Latin America; ** Latin A ...

of any race were 4.4% of the population. There were 964 households, out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were headed by

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between t ...

living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.6% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45, and the average family size was 2.94. In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 36.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males. For the period 2009 through 2013, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $65,529, and the median income for a family was $77,396. Male full-time workers had a median income of $58,333 versus $45,489 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the town was $37,627. About 3.1% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for t ...

, including 2.6% of those under age 18 and 1.5% of those age 65 or over.

Locations

*Jackson Corners – in the northeastern part of town on the Roeliff Jansen Kill. Jackson Corners post office was operated from 1835 to 1860, and 1862 to 1930. In 1840, it had one church and 25 houses. *Lafayetteville – a hamlet east of Milan village, formerly called Lafayetter Corners. It was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, who visited the area in 1824. The post office was operated from 1849 to 1903. *Milanville – location of the Milan post office from 1818 to 1908. At the junction of Salisbury Turnpike and Milan Hollow Road, this area is now known as "Case's Corner" after Rensselaer Case. * Rock City – a hamlet west of Milan village; had a grist and sawmill and 20 houses in 1840. It was formerly Travers Mill. A post office was operated from 1835 to 1904. *Shookville – a former community in the northwestern part of the town founded by Jacob Shook. A post office was operated from 1827 to 1835.

Notable people

Jane Marsh Parker Jane Marsh Parker (, Marsh; pen name, Jenny Marsh Parker; June 16, 1836 – March 13, 1913) was an American author and historian of the long nineteenth century. She was a frequent contributor to ''The Churchman'' and other publications of the Pr ...

(1836-1913), author, historian, clubwoman

References

External links

Town of Milan official website
{{Coord, 41, 57, 12, N, 73, 47, 31, W, type:city_region:US-NY, display=title Poughkeepsie–Newburgh–Middletown metropolitan area Towns in Dutchess County, New York

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...