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History · Binghamton University

Binghamton University dates to 1946

Below: maps from 1904 on.

1946founded
0on the National Register
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Quick answers

How Binghamton University began

When was Binghamton University founded?

1946

Binghamton University dates its founding to 1946 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree).

2020 census: 7,26180 years
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year.The full story ↓

What stands out about Binghamton University’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Binghamton University are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.On the map since 19044 editions of the USGS map, 1904 to 1961. Watch Binghamton University change.
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Start Binghamton University’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Binghamton University’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
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On the map

Binghamton University on the map, 1904 to 1961

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Binghamton University. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Binghamton University on the 1904 USGS mapBinghamton University on the 1935 USGS mapBinghamton University on the 1942 USGS mapBinghamton University on the 1961 USGS map1904Binghamton sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Binghamton University.

The story

How Binghamton University came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Binghamton University.

Read it all →

Binghamton University was established in 1946 in Endicott, New York, as Triple Cities College to serve the needs of local veterans returning from World War II. Thomas J. Watson, noted chairman and CEO of IBM, viewed the Triple Cities region of the state's Southern Tier as an area of great potential, given IBM's founding and prominent presence in Broome County. In the early 1940s, he collaborated with local leaders to begin establishing Triple Cities College as a two-year junior college operating as a satellite of private Syracuse University. Watson also donated land that would become the school's early home.

ChaptersEstablishmentPresidents

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

By decade

No old photos in the archives yet

Weddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.

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Famous people

Famous people close to Binghamton University

Nobody well known was born in Binghamton University itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

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Camille PagliaAmerican feminist academic and critic · b. 1947
Bridget MoynahanAmerican actress and model · b. 1971
Douglas G. HurleyAmerican astronaut · b. 1966
C
Chris WedgeAmerican animator, director, producer, and writ… · b. 1957
Douglas H. WheelockAmerican astronaut · b. 1960
Rick BakerAmerican special makeup effects artist · b. 1950

Questions about Binghamton University’s history

What year was Binghamton University founded?

In 1946, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

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Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikipedia and U.S. Geological Survey historical maps. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.