Natural Bridge, New York

Natural Bridge, New York
CDP
Church in Natural Bridge, NY
Natural Bridge, New York Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 44°4′7″N 75°29′41″W / 44.06861°N 75.49472°WCoordinates: 44°4′7″N 75°29′41″W / 44.06861°N 75.49472°W
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Jefferson/Lewis Counties
Area
• Total	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km^2)
• Land	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km^2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km^2)
Elevation	817 ft (249 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	365
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	13665
Area code(s)	315
FIPS code	36-49605
GNIS feature ID	0958296

Natural Bridge, New York is commonly referred to as a “hamlet.” This small village of 1.4 sq. miles is split between Jefferson and Lewis counties and is considered to be one of the oldest areas in New York which borders the Adirondacks. It is located in the northeast corner of the Town of Wilna and is east of Watertown. The name Natural Bridge was derived from the natural rock that formed over the Indian River. Natural Bridge Station is a location southeast of the community.

History

In 1812, a hunter Aleaser Carr crossed the Indian River on what he assumed to be a log while hunting. Much to his amazement while hunting a short time later, he again came to the river on the same side as before he crossed. After an examination by himself and a party of hunters, it appeared that he unknowingly recrossed the river on what turned out to be a limestone arch. Consequently, this is how Natural Bridge received its name. Settlement began in the area in 1818. The former king of Spain, Joseph Bonaparte, known in America as the Count de Survilliers owned land consisting of a one-mile square. After coming to look at his land in 1828, he was impressed by the limestone arch and with being so close to his lake, “Lake Bonaparte” he decided to build a second summer residence here in Natural Bridge in 1829. He resided here with his “Madame” until 1835. The house was destroyed in September 1905 in a fire that also consumed two hotels and their barns, the country store, and another dwelling house.

An old story, which still proves to be a mystery today is of the Joseph Bonaparte residence. The cellar of the residence was supposedly connected by secret passage to the caverns so that if he ever needed to escape, he had this passage.^[1]

To view historian pictures of Natural Bridge, NY, visit website: http://www.historic-naturalbridge.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=slideshow.Slideshow&g2_itemId=95

Residents of note

• Joseph Bonaparte, former king of Naples and Spain, lived briefly in the community.

Geography

Natural Bridge is located at 44°4′7″N 75°29′41″W / 44.06861°N 75.49472°W (44.068527, -75.494749).^[2]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²), all land.

Natural Bridge is located on New York State Route 3 southeast of Fort Drum and is at the county line between Jefferson and Lewis County, New York.

The Indian River flows past the community.

Demographics

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 365 people, 139 households, and 100 families residing in Natural Bridge, NY. The racial makeup of the population was 94.8% White, 1.1% African American, 2.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, and 1.1% from two or more races. 2.2% were Hispanic or Latino, 1.4% Mexican and 0.8% Puerto Rican. There were 139 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were Husband and Wife, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.1% were Nonfamily. 23.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the village the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 23.2% from 45 to 64, and 9.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 104.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.0 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $26,838, and the median income for a family was $25,662. Males had a median income of $18,571 versus $15,536 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $10,349. About 20.4% of families and 26.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

References

1. Priest, Irvin M., Souvenir Lake Bonaparte, N.Y.: A short history of Lake Bonaparte and Natural Bridge NY. (1938): 13-15. Print.
2. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
3. American FactFinder" (http://factfinder2.census.gov). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2010-02-19

External links

• RW&O Railroad, Natural Bridge, NY