Located in the foothills of the Catskills, Goshen, New York is a great place to live and raise a family. Founded in or around 1714, with its rolling acres of fertile and fruitful land, settlers called this town “Goshen" the “promised land” of the Scriptures. As early as 1727, it became an outpost of Colonial Government and the center of a booming agricultural region, especially dairying. The first milk shipped into New York City came from this area, with the advent of the Erie Railroad in 1841.
Faithful to its historic beginning, not only does Goshen maintain that same glory it held in 1714, but as a community, Goshen has grown into a well-respected, well-acknowledged, and well-suited town for families to live and grow; or for visitors to soak in the beauty of numerous celebrated and notable landmarks scattered around the Town and Village.
The Town of Goshen is steeped in rich history. It has seasoned pre-revolutionary homes as well as newly constructed ranches and contemporaries. The Town also boasts a long history as a farming community. Horse farms, dairy farms, orchards and vegetable farms cover the landscape.
Situated in the heart of the Orange County and serving as the County Seat, the Village of Goshen is located approximately 60 miles north of New York City. Tucked away behind numerous crossroads of major highways and nearby Stewart International Airport, many of our residents take advantage of Goshen’s convenient location as they commute to the job opportunities of New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Located near minutes from grocery stores, shopping malls, a large and newly renovated hospital, and dozens of doctors offices and urgent care facilities, Goshen is a perfect location in order to reach the services and products you need, while maintaining the privacy and seclusion a true small town has to offer.
During the Revolutionary War, Goshen was the center for the rallying of the Militia. After Independence, Goshen shared County judicial and other duties with Newburgh. Orange County built its Courthouse here in 1841 and the County Building in 1887. In the 1960's the Country constructed a three-million dollar complex in the Village, continuing Goshen's prominence as the County Seat.
Goshen's claim to fame, however, was to come from the horse - the trotter, to be precise. By developing and popularizing the Standardbred horse for harness racing, Goshen became the "Trotting Capital of the World". The Hambletonian Stakes, the premier event of Harness racing, originated at the Historic Track. The Goshen Historic Track is the oldest active racing facility in the United States and was the first sporting site to be designated a National Historic Landmark. To this day, a four day race meet is still held every Fourth of July weekend. Nearby the Track is the Trotting Horse Museum, a world-class museum, recalls the glory days of the sport, as well as Goshen's role in nurturing them.
Goshen owes much to its past. That is was a place where fortunes could be made is illustrated by the scored of gracious homes that line its streets. Constructed over the better part of two centuries, these architectural gems give Goshen a sense of place and a sense of history, as they remind us of the colorful men and women who have populated its past.
As soon as you drive through the historic village and downtown business district, you will feel the quaint charm of our small and cozy community. With a myriad of bakeries, cafes and coffee shops, you will never run out of places to sit down with friends and family. Notable eateries include:
Sprinkled with original brick buildings and gorgeous Victorian homes in the Village, Goshen will attract both individuals looking to raise a family, and individuals seeking the oasis of a small, tight knit, nurturing environment. Driving through the Village of Goshen you will be instantly surrounded with rich colonial and pre-revolutionary historic sites and monuments. To list a few:
Goshenites also enjoy a myriad of public events and activities for all ages and cultures. Some of which include: