Truxton is in the northeast corner of Cortland County, on State Route 13, about 12 miles from the City of Cortland. A predominately rural town, the nearby Labrador Mountain and state owned Heiberg forest provide summer and winter outdoor recreational opportunities.
History of the Town
The first settler in the Town of Truxton was Samuel C. Benedict, who built a log cabin in the year 1793.In the early organization of the Town, Truxton was contained within Pompey, which was organized in 1794, and included what is now also Fabius, and Tully, as well as part of the Onondaga reservation, lying south of Onondaga Creek.
The Town of Truxton was named in honor of Commodore Truxton and was organized from Fabius, Onondaga County, on April 3rd, 1808. It embraces the southern half of that military township. The Town of Cuyler was 'set off' from the eastern side of Truxton on November 18, 1858.
Population Characteristics
According to the most recent census, 1,126 people live in Truxton. 105 families have owned one half of the farm acreage and have remained on the same land for generations. The second largest population recorded are rural residents with acreage. Other populations include professionals working in the surrounding large cities, a 'land trust'/art community, seasonal residents and small or mobile homeowners.
Physical Characteristics
The bottom lands of Truxton are exceptionally fertile. The valley is riddled with large and small streams. To the northwest the Truxton-Tully Road climbs to 18,000 feet with a large tract of state and county forest lands, while NYS Route 91 goes up to Labrador Mountain, a well known ski resort. The Tioughnioga River crosses the bottom of Truxton Valley.
Natural Resources: The primary natural resources include farmland, forests and the Tioughnioga River. Solon Pond, on the border of Solon and Truxton, is considered a premium fishing site.
Transportation
State Route 13 extends in a northeast-southwest direction across the County through the City of Cortland. To the Southeast Route 13 travels to Ithaca in Tompkins County, and to the northeast it passes through Truxton and DeRuyter, as it goes into Madison County and intersects with US 20, at Cazanovia.
Truxton is served by Cortland Transit, with bus transportation to the City of Cortland.
Community Facilities and Services
Water and sewer: The Hamlet of Truxton has no municipal water or sewage. If it is required by the County Health Code or it is feasible and desirable to require a public water supply system, such system shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider to specifications acceptable to the County Health Department. If it is required by the County Health Code or it is feasible and desirable to require a public water supply system such system shall be installed at the expense of the subdivider to the specifications acceptable to the County Health Department.
Utilities: Power lines shall normally be placed underground and shall be approved by the local power company.
Education: Truxton has a K- 6 Elementary School, with junior high students going to the Homer Intermediate School and older students going to Homer Central School. SUNY Cortland, Cornell University, Ithaca College and Tompkins-Cortland Community College, are all within driving distance.
Fire and Emergency: Truxton has a fire company and emergency squad
Health Care: There are no facilities in the hamlet of Truxton, but services are available less than ten miles away in Cortland.
Recreational and Tourist Attractions: In addition to the Labrador Mountain Ski Resort, the Heiberg State Forest, and fishing in the Tioghnioga River and Solon Pond, there is Song Mountain in nearby Preble. Summer events, including the Cortland Repertory Theater (CRT) and the Yellow Lantern Country Park, are just a few miles down NYS route 13.
Churches: There are two churches in the Town of Truxton.
Land Use/Planning
The purpose of the Town of Truxton Land Use Plan is to provide adequately for inevitable change and growth while retaining the overall rural character of the Town. The Town's general goals, as outlined in the Town Development and Land Use Plan, reflect a comprehensive development pattern. Instead of looking at a lot by lot use of land the plan defines six major land use categories as follows: Residential, Commercial Industrial, Conservation (wetlands, uplands or open water), Agricultural (prime or secondary), Recreation, or Public/Not-for Profit.