Cortland, city, seat (1808) of Cortland county, central New York, U.S. It lies on the Tioughnioga River, 30 miles (48 km) south of Syracuse. Settled in 1791 and named for a prominent New York family, it is located in one of the state’s richest farming areas. Manufactures include marine equipment, asphalt, machine tools, electronic equipment, filters, and plastic products.

The area was part of a military reservation for veterans of the American Revolution. Settlement grew rapidly in the early 19th century, and industrial development was boosted with the coming of the railroad in the 1850s. The State University of New York College at Cortland was founded in 1868. Elmer Ambrose Sperry (1860–1930), who is credited with many inventions, including a gyroscopic compass for ships, was born there. Nearby popular ski areas include Greek Peak, Labrador Mountain, and Song Mountain. The reconstructed birthplace (cabin) of President Millard Fillmore (1800–74) is in Fillmore Glen State Park, about 14 miles (22 km) northwest of the city. Inc. village, 1853; city, 1900. Pop. (2000) 18,740; (2010) 19,204.

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Binghamton, city, seat (1806) of Broome county, south-central New York, U.S. It lies at the confluence of the Chenango and Susquehanna rivers, near the Pennsylvania border, 75 miles (121 km) south of Syracuse. With Johnson City and Endicott, it forms the Triple Cities. Settled in 1787 at the site of an Iroquois village (Ochenang), it was first known as Chenango Point and was later named for William Bingham, who owned land tracts on both sides of the Susquehanna. Laid out in 1800, the village prospered after the Chenango and Erie canals were linked in 1837 and the Erie Railroad arrived in 1848. Its transportation advantages encouraged industrial development. Leading manufactures of the area include photo supplies, machinery, and electronic equipment; book composition, printing, and binding also are important. Dairy, livestock, and poultry industries augment the economy. In 1946 Broome Community College and the State University of New York at Binghamton (Binghamton University) were opened. The city’s Roberson Center is a museum complex (arts, science, and history) and includes a planetarium and civic theatre. Binghamton is the home of two operating wood-carved carousels from the 1920s. Inc. village, 1834; city, 1867. Pop. (2000) 47,380; Binghamton Metro Area, 252,320; (2010) 47,376; Binghamton Metro Area, 251,725.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Kenneth Pletcher.