Gardiner

History

The first settlers in the region were Huguenots from France. Gardiner was created from parts of New Paltz, Rochester, and Denning by an act of the New York State Legislature on April 2, 1853. The first town meeting was on May 17, 1853. It was named for Lieutenant Governor Addison Gardiner. In 1925, a large fire destroyed a large part of Gardiner village. The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail begins in southern Gardiner and runs along the abandoned Wallkill Valley Railroad rail corridor to New Paltz. Majestic Park is off Farmer's Turnpike, and features a disc golf course, skate park, playground, gazebo, and covered picnic area. The Phillies Bridge Farm Project has a longstanding history in the area, being the oldest working farm in New York state. It is farmed using a community-supported agriculture model, and the nonprofit mission is expressed largely through food-justice initiatives. The Peter Aldrich Homestead, Bevier House, Brykill, Johannes Decker Farm, Gardiner School, Jenkins-DuBois Farm and Mill Site, John A. Lafevre House and School, Abraham and Maria LeFevre House, Locust Lawn Estate, Trapps Mountain Hamlet Historic District, and Tuthilltown Gristmill are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Rev. James Mee was pastor of St. James Church in Milton. He also attended missions in Marlboro and Ireland Corners (an early name for Gardiner). In 1884 this was made a separate mission with Wallkill and New Paltz attached under the care of an English priest, Rev. Charles Browne. The Church of St. Charles Borromeo was dedicated at Gardiner. In 1886 Rev. Joseph L. Hoey was named pastor.

Geography

Gardiner is at the center of Ulster County. It is bordered by Rochester to the north and west, to the north by New Paltz, to the west by Wawarsing, to the east by Plattekill, and to the south by Shawangunk. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and is water. The Wallkill River flows from south to north through the center of the town. The Shawangunk Mountains are partly in the western part of the town.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• WALLKILL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
  High · WALLKILL · 1,004 students · 13.4:1 ratio
• NEW PALTZ SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
  High · NEW PALTZ · 668 students · 11.5:1 ratio
• MARLBORO CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
  High · MARLBORO · 628 students · 12.1:1 ratio
• RONDOUT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
  High · ACCORD · 569 students · 10.5:1 ratio
• HIGHLAND HIGH SCHOOL
  High · HIGHLAND · 512 students · 13.5:1 ratio
• OSTRANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  Elementary · WALLKILL · 439 students · 10.7:1 ratio
• JOHN G BORDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Middle · WALLKILL · 432 students · 9.4:1 ratio
• NEW PALTZ MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Middle · NEW PALTZ · 421 students · 8.6:1 ratio