History of Middletown, New York, USA

1854 - Middletown
Middletown, a flourishing post-village of Orange co., New York, on the York and Erie railroad, 77 miles from New York city. It has extensive iron works in the vicinity.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1874 - TWO MEN KILLED.
The Ulster county express on the Midland Railroad was thrown upon a side track in Middletown , N. Y., on Wednesday evening, by a misplaced switch, colliding with and moving several standing freight cars. Andrew Thompson and John Poole, working under one of the cars, were fatally injured.
The New-Hampshire Patriot
Concord, New Hampshire
June 17, 1874

1888 - Mrs. Bromley, of Middletown, N.Y., has lived in her own house in good health for twelve years without going out or seeing anybody but her husband.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
September 15, 1888

1895 - Middletown
Middletown, a post-town of Orange co., N.Y., is situated in Wallkill township, in the valley of the Wall River, on the Erie Railroad, at its junction with the N York & Oswego Midland Railroad, about 24 miles W.S. of Newburg. By railroad it is 66 miles N.N.W. of N York, and 7 miles W.N.W. of Goshen. It is also the terminus of the New Jersey Midland Railroad. It contains 8 churches, the Wallkill Academy and union school, 2 national banks, a savings-bank, an opera-house, 2 pul? halls, hotels called the Grand Central and Ogden Hotel, and printing-offices which issue 2 daily and 2 weekly newspapers. It has gas-works and iron-works, and is supplied with water brought from Monhagan Lake. It has a manufactories of wool hats, blankets, carpet-bags, 1 saws. The state homoeopathic insane asylum is located here. Pop. in 1870, 6049; in 1880, 8494; in 1890, 11900.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1901 - FATAL WRECK ON THE ERIE.
MIDDLETOWN, N. Y., Dec. 15. - Several large landslides on the Erie Railroad between this city and Pondeddy were caused by last night's storm. In a collision between two trains one man was killed and several injured. The wreck occurred at Black Rock Cut, near Port Jervis, and was caused by a broken journal. A car of the east-bound freight was thrown to the west-bound track just as a freight going west came along.

Martin Ryan, head brakeman of the west-bound train, was instantly killed, and several other members of the train crew were injured. Twenty-six coal cars left the track, going down an embankment. Owing to the dangerous condition of the Erie bridge over the Neversink River, near the scene of the wreck, traffic is suspended.

There was a large washout on the Ontario and Western Railroad near Parksville. It caused a slight wreck and suspension of traffic to-day.
The gale continued to-day, and did much damage throughout this section. A barn on the Cummings farm, owned by... Read MORE...

1906
Middletown, a city of Orange co., N.Y., in the Walkill Valley and on the Erie, the New York, Ontario and Wester and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Rs., 24 miles WSW. of Newburgh. It has several collegiate institutions, theatre, car-shops, iron-works, and manufactorise of hats, saws, wood-type, condensed-milk, etc. The state homeopathic asylum is located here. Pop. in 1870, 6049; in 1880, 8494; in 1890, 11,977; in 1900, 14,522.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

1907 - A FIERY VISITATION EARLY THIS MORNING. MORRIS B. WOLF & BRO. AND N. D. MILLS THE CHIEF SUFFERERS. UNDERFULL HEADWAY WHEN FOUND.
HANFORD & HORTON AND A. BUDWIG & CO. ALSO DAMAGED - LOSS FROM $35,000 TO $40,000 - THE ORIGIN OF FIRE IS UNKNOWN - FIREMEN LABOR EFFECTIVELY IN A ZERO ATMOSPHERE - INCIDENTS OF THE DISASTER.

A fire which threatened to sweep away one of the principal blocks in the business section of this city, occurred early this morning, when the clothing store of MORRIS B. WOLF & Bro. and the cigar store and factory of NATHAN D. MILLS, in the building owned by MRS. L. M. VANDERBEEK, at 10 and 12 North street, were practically destroyed and the stock of both concerns ruined. The D. C. DUSENBERRY Building, on the north, and that owned by the Broadwell estate, on the south were in grave danger of sharing a like fate during the progress of the flames. The heroic work of the fire department prevented a conflagration which Middletown would have long remembered. The loss resulting from the disaster is variously estimated at from $35,000 to $40,000 and is only partially covered by insurance.

The... Read MORE...

1929 - NINE KILLED AT RAILWAY CROSSING IN NEW YORK.
Middletown, N.Y., April 29. - (INS) - Nine persons, all but one of a family of 10, are dead today and the other so seriously injured he may die, as the result of a train-auto crash at a grade crossing last night.

The dead:
ANTONIO BIANCHI, 42.
ROSE BIANCHI, 32, his wife.
And their children:
LUCY, 16.
MARION, 14.
MINNIE, 10.
GEORGE, 8.
LOUISE, 6.
ANTOINETTE, 3.
HELEN, 8 months.
FRANK BIANCHI, 12, another child, was in a serious condition. He may recover.
The Bee
Danville, Virginia
April 29, 1929

2023 - Middletown, New York, has a bunch of cool places to explore and things to do! Here's a list to get you started:
Orange County Fair Speedway: Catch a race at this historic speedway. It's a thrilling experience, especially if you're a motorsport enthusiast.

Galleria at Crystal Run: This shopping mall is a great place to shop, dine, and catch a movie. It has a variety of stores and restaurants for a fun day out.

Fancher-Davidge Park: This lovely park offers walking trails, a playground, and a pond for fishing. It's a great spot for a leisurely afternoon.

Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame: Located in nearby Goshen, this museum celebrates the history of harness racing. It's both educational and entertaining.

Wawayanda State Park: Just a short drive away, this state park offers hiking, fishing, and camping opportunities. Explore the beautiful natural surroundings.

Thrall Park: Visit this serene park for a relaxing afternoon. It's a wonderful place for a picnic or a casual stroll.

Paramount Theatre: Check out their event schedule for live shows, concerts, and performances. It's a... Read MORE...