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Cortland, New York

Cortland is a city and the county seat of Cortland County, New York, United States.
Population 17,556

Top Events in Cortland History

1
1791Government
Cortland, settled in 1791, was made a village in 1853 (rechartered in 1864), and incorporated in 1900 as New York's 41st city.
2
1808History
When the county was formed in 1808, Cortland vied with other villages to become the county seat.
3
1868Education
In 1868, Cortland became the home of the Cortland Normal School, which gradually developed into a four-year college.
4
1875History
Begun in 1875 as Brockway Carriage Works, it was taken over by Mack Trucks in 1956 and survived until 1977.
5
1890Culture
The Victorian Chateauesque-style home of Chester Wickwire is now operated as the 1890 House Museum & Center for Victorian Arts.
6
1904History
Parker, Democratic candidate for president in 1904.
7
1912History
Charles Wickwire's 1912 home is now owned and operated by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association.
8
1960History
From 1960 to 1992, Smith Corona typewriters were manufactured in Cortland.
9
2000History
== Demographics == As of the census of 2000, there were 18,740 people, 6,922 households, and 3,454 families residing in the city.
10
2006Architecture
In 2006, Cortland's historic clock tower burned down.

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Historical Timeline

1791Government
Cortland, settled in 1791, was made a village in 1853 (rechartered in 1864), and incorporated in 1900 as New York's 41st city.
1808History
When the county was formed in 1808, Cortland vied with other villages to become the county seat.
1868Education
In 1868, Cortland became the home of the Cortland Normal School, which gradually developed into a four-year college.
1875History
Begun in 1875 as Brockway Carriage Works, it was taken over by Mack Trucks in 1956 and survived until 1977.
1890Culture
The Victorian Chateauesque-style home of Chester Wickwire is now operated as the 1890 House Museum & Center for Victorian Arts.
1904History
Parker, Democratic candidate for president in 1904.
1912History
Charles Wickwire's 1912 home is now owned and operated by the SUNY Cortland Alumni Association.
1960History
From 1960 to 1992, Smith Corona typewriters were manufactured in Cortland.
2000History
== Demographics == As of the census of 2000, there were 18,740 people, 6,922 households, and 3,454 families residing in the city.
2006Architecture
In 2006, Cortland's historic clock tower burned down.
2009Education
== Sports == In 2009, the New York Jets' training camp was moved from Hofstra University in Hempstead to the SUNY Cortland campus.
2010History
In 2010, the Jets signed a three-year contract with SUNY Cortland.
2011Military
Banners South: Northern Community at War (2011), about Cortland.
2015History
In 2015, they moved back to their own facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
2025Civil Rights
=== Bus === Local public transportation by bus is provided by Centro, which replaced Cortland Transit on March 31, 2025.

Did You Know?

1
Cortland is located in the state of New York.
2
Cortland has a population of 17,556 residents.
3
Known as the Crown City, Cortland is in New York's Southern Tier region.

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Famous People from Cortland, New York

CC
Carl Carmer
Writer · Born Oct 16, 1893 · Died Sep 11, 1976 (age 82)
J(
Jack Daniels (coach)
Exercise Physiologist, Coach · Born Apr 26, 1933 · Died Sep 12, 2025 (age 92)
AF
Alexandra Illmer Forsythe
Computer Scientist · Born May 20, 1918 · Died Jan 2, 1980 (age 61)
AB
Amelia Bloomer
Women'S Rights Activist, Temperance Advocate · Born May 27, 1818 · Died Dec 30, 1894 (age 76)
JC
Jack Call
Football Player · Born Jul 30, 1935 · Age 90
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