Located along Chenango County's eastern edge, the Town of New Berlin
encompasses the Village of New Berlin as well as the hamlet of South
New Berlin. The rural community about 55 miles from Binghamton offers
recreational opportunities as well as historical attractions.
New Berlin was formed from Norwich in 1807. It is highly likely the
town was named "New" because one of its earliest settlers
originated in Berlin, NY or Berlin, Connecticut. Today, the community
still values its rich history. The village's historic district includes
122 properties in both residential and commercial areas. Preferred
Manor, built in 1831, is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places. The large home, which was a stop on the Underground Railroad,
features one of two indoor weather vanes in existence. The building
is now owned by Preferred Mutual Insurance Co. and is used as a bed-and-breakfast.
Hunts Pond State Park, on Hunts Pond Road off State Route 8, offers
camping, a boat launch, fishing and a picnic area. The park, which
is open year-round, does not have established trails but adjacent
state land is available for hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country
skiing.
The community is served by the New Berlin Library, at 15 S. Main St.
in New Berlin, as well as the South New Berlin Free Library, at 8
Main St., South New Berlin. Area children attend the Unadilla Valley
Central School District.
The town is home to 2,803 residents, according to Census 2000, which
showed the population fell by almost 8 percent during the last decade.
The village population numbers 1,129, a 7 percent drop from its 1990
census figure.
|
