Brunswick, New York: A Quiet Town

Brunswick, New York, is a town in Rensselaer County, with a population of 12,581 as of the 2020 census. It is bordered by Troy to the west, Schaghticoke and Pittstown to the north, Grafton to the east, and Poestenkill and North Greenbush to the south. The town was originally settled in the early 18th century and became popular in the late 20th century due to its proximity to Troy and the completion of the local highway system. Brunswick offers a range of recreational facilities, including golf courses, reservoirs, and parks, as well as easy access to nearby cities and the greater Capital District.

Brunswick's history and development

Brunswick is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The municipality was originally settled in the early 18th century and was incorporated in 1807. The first settlement in Brunswick dates to 1711-1715 at Haynersville. The town was historically agricultural, but began experiencing suburban sprawl in the later decades of the 20th century, which continues today.

Brunswick's history is closely tied to its location on the Hoosick Road, a vital link to the frontier settlement at Hoosick, Vermont, and Williamstown. The road also provided the only practical connection to Vermont claimed by the government at Albany until the 1790s.

In the 1740s and 1750s, van Rensselaer, as patroon of the manor, gave land for the erection of a church and the support of a minister at Hosek Road (Haynersville). The first church in Brunswick, referred to as the log church, was probably a simple structure built sometime between 1743 and 1749.

During the Revolutionary War, Brunswick's location near the head of navigation on the Hudson meant that its people suffered grievous annoyances from both sides, but principally from the Tories. Emissaries of the British government easily persuaded many of the simple people to side with the royalists, but the majority, principally Germans, espoused the cause of freedom. This led to the separation of families and deadly enmity, which resulted in acts of violence.

The present territory of Brunswick was initially a part of the town of Troy. However, the growing importance of Troy and its requirements led to a separation in 1791. The first town meeting was held at the house of Nathan Betts, a local innkeeper, and the first town supervisor was Flores Bancker, who held office from 1807 to 1809.

Brunswick did not develop quickly under the manorial system as, although it was agriculturally productive, residents did not own the land and so had little incentive to develop properties. This changed after the collapse of Rensselaerswyck in the 1840s.

In the mid to late 19th century, the area of Eagle Mills became a significant industrial area, with many factories springing up along the banks of the Poesten Kill due to the rapids and waterfall located there. One such enterprise was the Eagle flour mills, which eventually gave the area its name.

In the 1990s, Brunswick began to experience expansion along Hoosick Road, with the addition of a Wal-Mart and Price Chopper, along with subsequent strip malls. These openings led to interest from developers to build more housing options within the town, which offered quick access to Troy and, subsequently, Interstate 787 and the greater Capital District.

In the early 2000s, Wal-Mart indicated intentions to build a Supercenter near its current site, which sparked outcry from a significant portion of the town's population. Additionally, in 2006, the town saw proposals for five large housing developments that would have added 1,387 new homes. These proposals, along with other development plans, brought about much opposition, mainly from an organization called Brunswick Smart Growth, Inc. All of the proposed developments have been scrapped or not yet built, possibly due to the late-2000s recession.

Local amenities and attractions

Brunswick, New York, has a plethora of local amenities and attractions for residents and visitors to enjoy. The town has a rich history, dating back to the early 18th century, and was once mostly agricultural. Today, Brunswick offers a mix of suburban and rural areas, with plenty of natural spaces and historical landmarks to explore.

One of the town's notable features is Vanderhyden Lake, an old reservoir that has been converted into a recreational area for swimming and other activities. The town also boasts three golf courses, including the private Country Club of Troy and the public Brunswick Greens.

For history buffs, Brunswick's Old City Hall is a must-see. Constructed in the late 19th century, the building showcases the "Richardsonian Romanesque" architectural style with Italianate brackets and elaborate terra cotta friezes. The building now serves as a part-time courthouse and a venue for special events.

The town also has its own historical society, the Brunswick Historical Society, which has been active since 1974 and is housed in the Garfield School. The society works to preserve and showcase the town's rich history.

Brunswick is also home to several notable landmarks and attractions. Mary Ross Waterfront Park, located on the East River, offers beautiful views of the water and is a great spot to watch the sunset. The park features the Liberty Ship Memorial Plaza, with a scale model of a Liberty Ship similar to those built in Brunswick shipyards during World War II.

The Historic Ritz Theater, built in 1899, is another cultural hotspot in Brunswick. It was originally built to house the Grand Opera House and is now a thriving arts centre, hosting live performances, films, exhibits, and educational programs throughout the year.

For those interested in the outdoors, Brunswick offers several parks and natural spaces. The town's annual summer concert series, held on Tuesday nights, is a popular event for the community. Additionally, the Brunswick Community Centre offers tennis courts, a basketball court, and a playground for residents to enjoy.

With its mix of historical landmarks, cultural venues, and natural spaces, Brunswick, New York, offers a diverse range of local amenities and attractions for visitors and residents alike.

Transport and infrastructure

Brunswick is a town in Rensselaer County, New York, United States. The town is served by five volunteer fire departments, including the Eagle Mills Fire Department, the Center Brunswick Fire Company, and the Brunswick Fire Company. The New York State Police also have a Troop G station in Brunswick.

Brunswick is accessible by road, with New York Route 2 and New York Route 7 being the two major thoroughfares, known locally as Brunswick Road and Hoosick Road, respectively. These roads connect Brunswick to neighbouring towns and provide access to the local highway system and the greater Capital District. Route 7, in particular, was upgraded to a four-lane highway in the 1980s, making Brunswick a more popular place to settle.

Public transportation options in Brunswick include bus services provided by CDTA (Capital District Transportation Authority). The CDTA's bus 87 stops at Wal-Mart on Hoosick Road, which is the only scheduled bus stop within the town.

The closest airport to Brunswick is the Rensselaer County Airport in Poestenkill, which caters to small, private planes. For commercial flights, residents can access the Albany International Airport in Colonie.

Governance and politics

Brunswick, New York, is a town in Rensselaer County. It was originally settled in the early 18th century and was incorporated in 1807. The town has an elected town supervisor, town board, two town justices, town clerk and receiver of taxes. The current supervisor is Philip H. Herrington, who has held the position since 1997 and is a member of the Republican Party. The town board is made up of four members, with the current members being Mark J. Balistreri, Gordon Christian, James Sullivan, and Mark Cipperly. The town justices are Gary Gordon and Terrance Buchanan, and the town clerk is Rebecca DelGaizo.

Brunswick is represented at the federal level by US Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats. Antonio Delgado, also a Democrat, represents the town in the US House of Representatives. At the state level, Brunswick is located in New York's 19th congressional district and is represented by Daphne Jordan (State Senate) and Jake Ashby (Assembly). The town is served by five volunteer fire departments and a Troop G station of the New York State Police.

Brunswick has both an organised Democratic Committee and Republican Committee. The legislative branch of Brunswick's government has been under Republican control since the late 1990s. As of April 1, 2009, there were 2670 registered Republicans and 2230 registered Democrats in the town. Third parties are also represented, including the Independence Party, Conservative Party, Working Families Party, Green Party, and Libertarian Party.

Local events

Brunswick, New York, is a town in Rensselaer County, with a population of 12,581 as of the 2020 census. It is mostly known for its rich history, dating back to the early 18th century, and its recent suburban expansion.

Brunswick Summer Concerts 2024

The 24th season of the Brunswick Concert Series starts on Tuesday, June 25th, at 6:30 pm. The lineup of bands is yet to be announced, but the concerts will take place on the lawn of the Brunswick Community Center.

2024 Wounded Vet Run

This event will take place on Saturday, July 27th, with registration starting at 9 am and the ride commencing at noon. It is a motorcycle ride, with a $20 fee per rider, passenger, or walk-in.

George Street Co-op - Board Game Tuesday

Every Tuesday, from 7 pm to 10 pm, the George Street Co-op hosts a board game night at their café. They offer games like chess, checkers, backgammon, Scrabble, and Uno, or you can bring your own game.

MCRCC - NJ Statewide Multicultural Business Expo

The Multicultural Business Expo is an opportunity for diverse businesses and entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations. The event will take place in New Jersey, but the exact location is yet to be announced.

Black Americans, Jewish Americans Book Club

This is a two-part virtual book club exploring racial and ethnic "passing". Session Two will take place on June 26th, with a discussion on "Passing" by Nella Larsen.

Frequently asked questions