Kingston

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Kingston1 City (1990 pop. 23,095), seat of Ulster co., SE N.Y., on the Hudson River at the mouth of Rondout Creek; inc. as a village 1805, and as a city through the union (1872) of Kingston and Rondout. A tourist hub for the Catskill-Shawangunk resort area, it has plants that make data acquisition and control systems, ships, conveyors and separators for sand and gravel, hydraulic and filter systems, electronics, machines, boilers, and draperies and textiles. The city is also a market for nearby fruit and vegetable farms (especially apples).

The first permanent settlement (called Wiltwyck) was established in 1652. Kingston served as the first capital of New York state until it was burned by the British in Oct., 1777. Its growth in the early 19th cent. was stimulated by the Delaware and Hudson Canal . Among notable landmarks are many old Dutch stone houses; the senate house (1676), meeting place of the first New York state legislature; the old Dutch church (1659) and cemetery (1661); the burial place of James Clinton ; and nearby "Slabsides," the former cottage of John Burroughs .

2 Borough (1990 pop. 14,507), Luzerne co., NE Pa., on the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes-Barre; settled 1769, inc. 1857. Although chiefly residential, it has food-products, textiles and apparel, machinery, and furniture industries.

Kingston, Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, USA At least 21 cities and towns around the world have this name.1. Canada (Ontario): founded in 1673 by the French on the site of a Native American village called Cataraqui. They built Fort Frontenac, named after Louis de Buade (1622–98), Comte de Frontenac, governor of New France (1672–82, 1689–98). The trading post and fort were destroyed by the British in 1758, but rebuilt and renamed Kingston in 1783, probably in honour of King George III^†.2. Jamaica: founded in 1692 after a large earthquake had destroyed the coastal city of Port Royal, and named in honour of King William III^†. It has been the capital since 1872.3. USA (New York): founded as Esopus by the Dutch in 1652, it was renamed Wiltwyck in 1661. In 1669, when under new British control, it was renamed Kingston after the English family estate of the state governor.4. USA (Rhode Island): probably named after King Charles II^†.

Kingston city (1991 pop. 56,597), S Ont., Canada, on Lake Ontario, near the head of the St. Lawrence River and at the end of Rideau Canal from Ottawa. Kingston has probably the best harbor on the lake. Industries include the manufacture of locomotives, ships, mining equipment, textiles, aluminum products, synthetic yarn, and ceramics. On the site stood Fort Frontenac, which was of great importance in the French and Indian War. The present city was founded by United Empire Loyalists in 1783 and prospered during the War of 1812 as the Canadian naval base for operations against the Americans. From 1841 to 1844 it served as the capital of Canada. Fort Henry, built during the War of 1812 and rebuilt from 1832 to 1836, is now a museum. Kingston is the seat of Queen's Univ. (1841), of the Royal Military College, and of Anglican and Roman Catholic bishoprics and cathedrals.