Sullivan

Formed January 1, 1809 (44^th county)

Sullivan County (78,617), Monticello (7,250)

The masonry Beaux Arts courthouse was erected in 1909.  There was an 1849 facility earlier in Monticello, the only county seat.  The structure is on Broadway at St. John Street.  Broadway is New York State Highway 42 in the town.  William J. Beardsley is the courthouse architect.  The building was renovated in 1979.  The county was created on January 1, 1809 from Ulster County as the 44^th county.  The county is named for Revolutionary War General John Sullivan.  Monticello is named for the estate of President Thomas Jefferson. 

The area of the county is 997 square miles.  It is 23 out of 62 in the state.  It ranks 34 out of 62 in population in the state.  It has a density of 78.9 persons per square mile making it 39 out of 62 in the state.  Sullivan County has 19.6% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 209 cuts the southeast tip of the county from Ulster County, east, to Orange County, south. 

Sullivan County government consists of a sheriff and 9 Legislators.  One County Court Judge, One Family Court Judge, and One Surrogate Court Judge serve Sullivan County.  The county is located on the western border with Pennsylvania.  New York City, New York is southeast and Albany, New York is northeast of the county.  The county center is 6.9 miles Northwest of Monticello nearer Smallwood.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Ulster and Orange counties and Pennsylvania and Delaware County.  A fat capital letter C turned backwards best describes the county shape.  Monticello is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Monticello is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 9.2% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced MON-TI-CHELL-OE.