Peru

History

The area was first settled by Connor VanNess in 1772. The Battle of Valcour Island was fought in Lake Champlain in the eastern part of Peru in 1776. Peru was formed from parts of the towns of Plattsburgh and Willsboro (the latter now in Essex County) in 1792. Part of Peru was returned to Willsboro in 1799. In 1838, part of the town was used to form the towns of Au Sable and Black Brook. On April 20, 2002, around 6:50 am, a magnitude 5.2 earthquake was centered in the western part of Peru, southwest of Plattsburgh with only marginal damages.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town of Peru has a total area of , of which is land and , or 14.60%, is water. The eastern part of the town fronts on Lake Champlain, and the eastern town line, in the center of the lake, is the state border with Vermont. The Ausable River forms part of the southern town line, and the Little Ausable River flows eastward through the southern section of Peru. The Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) and U.S. Route 9 are north–south highways through the town. New York State Route 22, New York State Route 22B, and New York State Route 442 (an east–west highway), also known as the Bear Swamp Road, intersect at Peru village.

Race & ethnicity