Town history
We welcome you to the Town of Warwick, in Orange County, New York.
In the early 1700s, one of the original patent holders, Benjamin Aske, named his land “Warwick”, presumably after an area of England near his original ancestral home. He began to sell it off to settlers in 1719. His first parcel of land, 100 acres, was sold to Lawrence Decker. Other familiar family names of the Valley appeared in subsequent years. The white population of the valley grew rapidly from 1730 to 1765, and the previously existing populations of indigenous native people declined as forests and land were cleared for pasture and were re-organized. By the start of the American Revolution, almost all of the native population had disappeared in various ways. So the region has been referred to as Warwick since the early eighteenth century, but a governmental form for a town named Warwick was officially created in 1788.
During the American War for Independence, Warwick was the site of a Continental Army encampment. The Hudson River Chain was forged at Stirling Iron Works in Warwick, preventing the British Navy from sailing up the Hudson River. In 1783, George Washington traveled through Warwick, stopping at Baird’s Tavern and spending the night in the home of John Hathorn.
Warwick is situated along a freight rail line, which, as it did with many other towns in Orange County (such as Goshen, Middletown, and Newburgh), contributed to the growth of the area. The nineteenth-century writer and naturalist Henry William Herbert, writing as Frank Forrester, popularized the area with his 1845 book, “The Warwick Woodlands.” Today, the town of Warwick is a rural community with many agricultural pursuits that stimulate its economy.
Located 55 miles northwest of New York City, the Town is 104 square miles and includes the three Villages of Florida, Greenwood Lake, and Warwick. The Hamlets of Sterling Forest, Amity, Pine Island, Bellvale, and Edenville also dot the landscape.
Come and get away for a day, a weekend, or longer and enjoy Warwick’s natural beauty and charm.
In the Town of Warwick, there are endless options for fun and relaxation. Take a day to bike our country back roads or hike the beautiful Appalachian Trail. Tee off at one of our spectacular golf courses or take a horseback ride through rolling farmland. In warm weather, you can enjoy a day of boating and swimming on magnificent Greenwood Lake. In the fall, the Town explodes with spectacular color. Farms and farm stands celebrate the Fall harvest. Apple and pumpkin picking provide hours of family fun. When the snow falls, the fun continues with downhill and cross country skiing.
Come and drive our scenic country roads. Visit our local wineries and artisans. Discover delightful antique, craft, and gift shops. Relax at a romantic Bed and Breakfast. In the evening, dine simply or exquisitely in a relaxed casual setting or a four-star restaurant.
We hope you will love and appreciate our wonderful Town as much as we do!