Learn more about Cortland's vibrant downtown at http://www.cortland.org.
The City of Cortland is located in Cortland County in the geographic heart of New York State. It is approximately 32 miles south of Syracuse and 40 miles north of Binghamton. Its growth has been, and still is, integrally related to its location in a north-south transportation corridor. The City of Cortland, county seat of Cortland County is beautifully situated, lying in the center of a broad plain, which spreads at the junction of Seven Valleys. There are rolling hills all around the area and the Tioughnioga River transverses the City's northern and eastern edges.
A cool, humid continental climate common to Central New York State prevails in the City of Cortland. There are four distinct seasons -- moderate winters, colorful springs, temperate summers and an autumn that features very colorful foliage on the many hillsides.
Downtown Cortland is a vibrant example of an attractive central business district that has balanced its well-maintained original Victorian architecture with a healthy mix of retail commerce and professional services, supported by education, government and nonprofit activities. The broad main avenue of downtown harks back to a grand era with exquisitely detailed buildings and elegantly preserved and restored turn-of-the-century facades. Tompkins Street, located just off Main Street, is mansion row, with Victorian era showpieces built by some of the most prominent industrialists of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Downtown Cortland is remarkable for both its sense of place and sense of community. The Downtown Business Association hosts an active year-round calendar of events that draws visitors from throughout the region to the Victorian style main shopping district with its European market ambiance.
History of the City
The small village of Cortland was a part of the township of Homer and in 1804 had only four families. It was called "The Lower Village of Homer." Soon, however, the village grew due largely to the settling of capable young people. On April 8, 1808, by an act of the New York State Legislature, four whole and two half townships were taken from the southern part of Onondaga County and formed into a new county which was named Cortland in honor of General Pierre Van Cortland, first Lieutenant Governor of New York State. As soon as Cortland County was organized in 1808, controversy raged as to where the County seat should be located: Homer, Cortland and Port Watson all sought the prize, but due largely to the efforts of one of Cortland's first residents, Jonathon Hubbard, Cortland was selected in 1810. On November 5, 1853, the Village of Cortland was incorporated and in 1900 received its charter as a city.
Population Characteristics
According to the most recent census estimates, 18,409 people live in the City of Cortland with a median age of 26.2 years. Although four municipalities within Cortland County are considered urban areas according to the Census Bureau, the City of Cortland is the only urban area with a population exceeding 15,000.
Physical Characteristics
Physical development of the City of Cortland has been shaped by its natural features. The city lies on a plain where four major valleys converge. Soils within the City are the result of ice-age glacial movements which removed surface materials and re-deposited them unevenly. There are two hills within the developed areas of the City, which are outstanding topographical features with the remainder of the City being flat. The City and its surrounding areas are drained by the Tioughnioga River and its tributaries. Otter Creek and Dry Creek drain the area to the west and northwest and join the west branch of the Tioughnigoga River in the north central portion of the City. The east and west branches of the River join in the City and flow south into the Chenango River forming a part of the Susquehanna River drainage basin. The City of Cortland is located entirely over one portion of a highly productive aquifer. Virtually all of the water used in the City for drinking and industry is obtained from subsurface water resources contained in aquifers and groundwater reservoirs.
Industry Characteristics
The physical growth of the City of Cortland, its population and economy have historically been dependent upon the City's location in a north-south transportation corridor of Central New York. The economy of the City has been characterized as having a high level of industry, manufacturing and a strong base as a regional trading center. Cortland's role as a trade center is the result of locating retail establishments near the population center, as well as the network of transportation facilities that link the City to the surrounding rural areas and smaller communities. The City itself is situated in the heart of a thriving agricultural region. Agriculture and the City of Cortland are related to each other primarily in the area of agribusiness, the provision of good and services to area farmers. Agribusiness in the City of Cortland reaches beyond the boundaries of Cortland County in its market. It is estimated that up to three times the amount of business generated in Cortland is attracted from neighboring counties. Economic development programs have been initiated to assist the City in retaining manufacturing operations and to attract new industry into the City.
Transportation Facilities and Access
The City of Cortland is centrally located in New York State and provides very good access to major transportation routes and markets. The function of the City's transportation/circulation system is to provide for the movement of people and goods. The system includes pedestrian movement, automobile, truck, railroad, bus and airplane transportation.
Interstate highways provide regional continuity with limited access given by off ramps. Interstate 81 is the only interstate highway within the City of Cortland that is regionally oriented. The City has one clover leaf interchange within its boundaries. Two other off-ramps/on-ramps are in close proximity to the City to facilitate the peripheral areas of the City. Major arteries provide unity throughout a community. New York State Routes 13, 281 and 41 make up the major arteries for the City of Cortland.
Main feeder streets are the major interior routes and generally have traffic signals where necessary and stop signs on side streets. Collector streets are smaller and less major that the feeder streets but still provide for though traffic. Generally they do not have signals but have stop signs on side streets.
Bus service is provided by Greyhound, Trailways and Oneonta Bus Lines. The City of Cortland also has an internal bus system for not only the City but many of the surrounding area services by Cortland Transit.
The City's railroad system is used only for freight and shipping; no passenger service is available. One unique feature found in the City's rail system is the "Rail to Truck Yard" which allows businesses and industry to receive shipments by rail and then truck them to their own site.
Located about one mile outside the City is the Cortland County Municipal Airport-Chase Field. Services at the airport include APU, charter, flight instruction, plane rental and fuel. The Syracuse-Hancock International Airport is located approximately 35 miles to the north.
Community Facilities and Services
Utilities: National Grid provides electric service for the City. New York State Electric and Gas Company is the primary supplier of natural gas.
Water and sewer: There is a public water and sewer system that is administered by the Cortland Water Board. The City of Cortland participates in Cortland County's solid waste program.
Police: The City of Cortland has a police department whose main responsibility is to enforce the state statues and local laws as well as ordinances in order to achieve public preservation and provide for the protection of property and the safety of all people within the community. The Police Department not only upholds state and local laws but is highly involved in administering preventative programs oriented towards youth in an effort to reduce delinquency and promote the education of the legal system.
Fire/Emergency: The City's Fire Department is responsible for the prevention, detection and control of fire risks and the enforcement of state and local fire regulations. The Department is comprised of paid employees and volunteers from within the community. The Department's major responsibility is to respond to emergencies, to fight fires and to provide for the safety of people and property endangered by fire and fire-related catastrophes. The Department is highly involved in training programs and preventative maintenance aimed at fire protection and safety. The Fire Department is also responsible for the operation of the Code Enforcement Office.
The Cortland County 911 program provides emergency service.
Health Care: There are numerous health care providers within the City of Cortland. Cortland Regional Medical Center is located within the City and offers a full range of medical services. Home health care services are available and there are three nursing home facilities located in the general area – Cortland Care Center, Cortland Memorial Nursing Facility and Highgate Manor of Cortland.
Schools and Colleges/Universities: The City of Cortland is fortunate to have quality educational network made up of several educational systems. The City has a public school system for grades K-12 and another smaller private school system for grades K-12. A third related system is the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES). The Cortland Enlarged City School District serves over 3,000 students in five elementary schools and one junior-senior high school. These facilities are all in good physical condition, being continually modified, updated and added onto to meet the changing educational needs. There are currently three private schools in the City of Cortland -- St. Mary's School, The Cortland Christian Academy, and Parkside School. OCM BOCES provides occupational education for high school students, adult education, special education and two programs targeted to "at-risk" youth. BOCES recently added a child and infant facility.
The State University College of New York at Cortland is located within the City limits. Tompkins-Cortland Community College is located approximately 9 miles from Cortland in the Town of Dryden. Ithaca College and Cornell University are within driving distance.
Recreational and Tourist Attractions: Community facilities intended for the general use and benefit of the City's residents occupy a substantial portion of the total land use within the City. Municipal parks and public school grounds occupy the greatest number of acres for community recreation. There are five municipal parks -- Beaudry Park, Dexter Park, Randall Park, Suggett Park and Yaman Community/Beach Park.
The 1890 House Museum offers a glimpse of the upper-class lifestyle of the high Victorian era, while the Suggett House Museum offers vignettes on the life of the middle class in the early Industrial Era.
Located nearby are several golf courses as well as three challenging ski resorts. Only a short drive away is the Little York Lake, the home of The Cortland Repertory Theatre which provides first-rate professional performances.
Banks: The City of Cortland has six banks: Alliance Bank, First Niagara Bank, KeyBank, M&T Bank, HSBC Bank and Bank of America. There are also several banks located in the outlying areas.
Hotels/Motels: There are several hotels/motels in the Cortland area – Ramada Inn, Comfort Inn, Budget Inn, Imperial Motel, 7 Valley Motel, Super 8 Motel and Econolodge. Many have conference and banquet facilities.