Middletown is a city located in Orange County, New York, about 70 miles northwest of New York City. The city has a population of around 27,000 people and is the largest city in Orange County. Middletown is known for its strong sense of community and is home to a diverse population that includes families, college students, and professionals.
One of the main attractions in Middletown is the downtown area, which is filled with a variety of shops, restaurants, and other businesses. There are also several parks and recreational facilities in the city, including Thrall Park, which features a playground, walking trails, and a pond. Middletown is also home to a number of cultural institutions, including the Paramount Theatre, which hosts concerts and other events.
In addition to its many amenities, Middletown is also home to a number of educational institutions, including SUNY Orange, a community college, and several public and private schools. Overall, Middletown is a vibrant and welcoming community with a rich history that offers a high quality of life for its residents.
Orange County Fair Speedway
In Middletown, Orange County, New York, the Orange County Fair Speedway is a 0.62-mile dirt oval speedway. During the summer, the facility hosts weekly stock car races and demolition derbies. The track was constructed in 1857 for horse racing at the Orange County Fair, and on August 16, 1919, it hosted its first automobile race. The fair originated as an agricultural exhibition in 1843 and was established in the Wallkill–Middletown region permanently in 1857. Midway through the 1850s, the tract at 239 Wisner Avenue in Middletown was referred to as The Ogden Tract. Originally, it was a half-mile horse racing track known as the Harry Clay Oval, after a great racehorse of the period. The track was extended and lengthened over time to become a genuine 5/8-mile racetrack.
Thrall Park
Thrall Park is a popular recreational area in Middletown, New York. It is located in the heart of the city and is a popular destination for both residents and visitors. The park features a number of amenities, including a playground, walking trails, and a pond.
The playground at Thrall Park is suitable for children of all ages and features a variety of play structures, swings, and other equipment. The walking trails at the park are popular with hikers and joggers, and there are also several benches located throughout the park where visitors can sit and enjoy the scenery. The pond at Thrall Park is home to a variety of fish and is a popular spot for fishing and birdwatching.
In addition to its recreational facilities, Thrall Park is also home to several events and activities throughout the year. These events may include concerts, festivals, and other community gatherings. Overall, Thrall Park is a great place to spend a day in the outdoors and is enjoyed by people of all ages.
Paramount Theatre
The Paramount Theatre is a historic theater in Middletown, New York, United States, located at 17 South Street. It was constructed in 1930 in the Art Deco style, as a replica of the Paramount Theater in Peekskill, New York, located across the Hudson River. In 2002, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. On June 12, 1930, Paramount-Publix Corporation opened the facility with a procession at noon, a musical performance by the Paramount Symphony Orchestra, and the premiere of The Big Pond, starring Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert at 6 p.m. A newsreel, a short film about Middletown and its residents, and a welcome film starring Buddy Rogers preceded the feature film. Following the 1948 United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. judgment, which obliged movie studios to divest themselves of their theater chains, Paramount-Publix sold the cinema. The Paramount was controlled by ABC, a successor business, until 1973, when it was sold to Hallmark Releasing. After many more owners, the business ceased operations five years later. In 1979, the city assumed ownership due to unpaid back taxes.