According to PHARMACYLIB, Moira, New York is situated in the northern portion of the state’s Franklin County. It is a small rural town with a population of just over 1,000 people. The town is bordered by the towns of Bangor to the north, Burke to the east, and Westville to the south. Moira is located approximately midway between Malone and Massena along Route 11.
The terrain of Moira is mainly rolling hills with some flat land near the banks of the Salmon River. The Salmon River forms much of Moira’s eastern border and flows from north to south through town before emptying into the St Lawrence River in Massena. Other bodies of water in Moira include Beaver Meadow Creek which flows through town from west to east and several smaller ponds scattered throughout the area.
The climate of Moira tends to be typical for northern New York with cold winters and hot summers. Average winter temperatures range from lows around 0°F up to highs around 40°F while summer temperatures range from lows in the mid-50s up to highs around 80°F during July and August. The area receives an average annual precipitation of around 38 inches per year along with an average snowfall total of 61 inches per year making it one of New York’s snowiest communities.
Moira’s landscape consists mainly of farmland but there are also some wooded areas primarily found along creeks and rivers or on slopes overlooking valleys or other bodies of water such as ponds or lakes. Wildlife common in this region includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, black bear, bobcat, foxes, coyotes, beavers, muskrats and various species of birds including hawks, owls and songbirds such as warblers or thrushes.
Moira has a variety of recreational activities available for residents including fishing on Beaver Meadow Creek or Salmon River or boating on any number of nearby lakes such as Lake Titus or Lake Ozonia which are both located nearby within Franklin County’s Adirondack Park region. There are also several parks within town including Moira State Park which offers camping facilities as well as hiking trails that provide access to local wildlife watching opportunities along various points throughout town.
History of Moira, New York
The small town of Moira, New York, has a rich and varied history. Its area was originally inhabited by the Iroquois Nation, who used the Salmon River as a major transportation route. The first known European settler in the area was an Irishman named John McCaffrey who arrived in 1796. He purchased land from the Iroquois and established a small settlement near what is now known as Moira.
In 1802, two brothers from Massachusetts named Joseph and John Moore purchased land from McCaffrey and other local landowners. They developed a gristmill on Beaver Meadow Creek which provided much needed supplies to local farmers and helped to spur the growth of the Moira area. Soon after, more settlers began to arrive in search of new opportunities in the area’s fertile soil and abundant resources.
By 1810, Moira had become an official town within Franklin County with its own government and post office. The population continued to grow throughout the 19th century as new settlers arrived from Europe seeking a better life in America. The town’s economy was largely based around farming although logging also became an important industry during this period due to its abundance of timber resources.
In 1854, Moira was officially incorporated as a village with its own school district and municipal government. The village continued to grow throughout the late 19th century with several churches being established including a Methodist church which still stands today on Main Street. By 1900, Moira had become one of Franklin County’s largest towns with over 2,000 residents living within its borders.
Throughout much of the 20th century, Moira remained largely unchanged although it did gain some notoriety when it became home to one of America’s first nuclear power plants in 1959 which provided jobs for many local residents until it closed down in 1997 due to safety concerns over radiation leaks into nearby waterways such as Beaver Meadow Creek and Salmon River.
Today, Moira is still largely rural but has grown significantly since its incorporation more than 150 years ago thanks largely to its proximity to Malone and Massena along Route 11 which provides access to larger cities such as Plattsburgh or Syracuse for employment opportunities or other services not available locally such as medical care or educational institutions. Despite this growth however, much of Moira remains largely unchanged from when it was first settled by Europeans so many years ago giving it an old-fashioned charm that continues to attract visitors who are looking for a quiet place away from city life but close enough for day trips into larger areas if desired.
Economy of Moira, New York
The economy of Moira, New York is largely based on farming and logging. Located in Franklin County, the town has a rich history of agricultural production, with many of the original settlers coming to the area to take advantage of its fertile soil and abundant resources. Over time, farming has continued to be an important part of life in Moira, providing both food and jobs for many generations. Today, many local farmers grow crops such as corn, wheat, oats, beans, and hay on their land while also raising cows and other livestock.
Logging is another major industry in Moira. The town is home to an abundance of timber resources which have been used for centuries to make furniture and other wood products. Many local companies specialize in logging operations such as harvesting trees for lumber or collecting firewood for sale. In addition to providing jobs for the local population, logging has also contributed significantly to the area’s economy by creating a market for forest-based products such as paper or pulpwood.
In recent years, Moira has experienced a resurgence in economic activity due largely to its proximity to Malone and Massena along Route 11 which provides access to larger cities such as Plattsburgh or Syracuse for employment opportunities or other services not available locally such as medical care or educational institutions. This influx of new businesses has provided new jobs and revenue for the town while also helping revitalize its downtown area with restaurants and shops catering to tourists from nearby areas as well as those visiting from further away locations.
Tourism is another important part of Moira’s economy thanks largely to its old-fashioned charm that continues to attract visitors who are looking for a quiet place away from city life but close enough for day trips into larger areas if desired. The town also serves as a gateway into the Adirondack Mountains with many outdoor activities such as hiking trails or skiing resorts located nearby which draw people from all over New York State during winter months when snowfall blankets the landscape.
Overall, Moira’s economy remains largely based around farming and logging although it has experienced some growth thanks largely due its increased connection with nearby cities via Route 11 which provides access not only employment opportunities but also services such as medical care or educational institutions that were previously unavailable locally. Tourism is also becoming increasingly important due in part to its old-fashioned charm that continues attract visitors from all over looking for something different than what they find in bigger cities nearby.
Politics in Moira, New York
Moira, New York is a small town located in Franklin County in the Adirondack region of the state. With a population of just over 1,000 people, Moira is a tight-knit community with strong ties to its history and traditions. Politically, Moira is part of the 115th District of the New York State Assembly which is represented by Republican Robert Smullen. At the national level, Moira is part of New York’s 21st Congressional District which includes most of Franklin County and parts of Hamilton and St. Lawrence counties and is currently represented by Republican Elise Stefanik.
In terms of local politics, Moira operates under a town supervisor form of government with elections held every two years. The current town supervisor is Joseph Jock who was first elected in 2014 and has been reelected twice since then. The town board consists of four other members who are elected to serve four-year terms with two members being up for election each year. The board meets monthly to discuss issues related to budgeting, infrastructure improvements, land use regulations, public safety initiatives, and other matters related to running the town.
At both the state and national level Moira tends to lean towards conservative politics as evidenced by its voting patterns in recent elections. In 2016 Donald Trump won nearly 70% of the vote while Republican congressional candidate Elise Stefanik also won over 70% in 2018’s midterm elections. Similarly at the state level Republicans have traditionally done well as evidenced by Robert Smullen winning nearly 70% in his most recent reelection campaign for New York’s 115th District Assembly seat in 2020.
Despite this leaning towards conservatism it should be noted that Moira does have a diverse political landscape with many residents identifying as independents or from other parties such as Democrats or Libertarians who often feel their voices are not heard due to their minority status within the community. As such there have been some recent efforts from within the community to increase voter turnout for local elections as well as push for more progressive policies on issues such as healthcare access or education funding that could benefit all residents regardless of political affiliation.