West Point

Former fort in New York State, on the Hudson River, 80 km/50 mi north of New York City, site of the US Military Academy (commonly referred to as West Point), established 1802. Women were admitted in 1976. West Point has been a military post since 1778.

West Point

Town in Troup and Harris counties, west Georgia; population (1990) 3,600. It is located 53 km/33 mi north-northwest of Columbus, on the Chattahoochee River. Settled in the 1820s, West Point became a cotton market when reached by railways in the 1850s. In 1866 what is now the West Point–Pepperell textile company was founded here; the manufacture of textiles remains important to the local economy. One of the last skirmishes of the Civil War was fought at West Point on 16 April 1865.

West Point

Town and administrative headquarters of Clay County, northeast Mississippi; population (1990) 8,500. It is located 24 km/15 mi northwest of Columbus. It is a processing centre for cotton, dairy products, poultry, and livestock, with various light manufactures. West Point is home to Mary Holmes College (1892).

The town's site was purchased from American Indians in 1844. It was once the centre of one of the South's largest grain growing and storage areas. Several skirmishes took place here during the Civil War.

West Point

Town in King William County, east Virginia; population (1990) 2,900. It is situated at the confluence of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey rivers where, they form the York River, 60 km/37 mi east of Richmond. In 1607 it was the headquarters of the Pamunkey people. A Colonial port by 1691, it gained importance after it was connected with Richmond by rail in 1861, and has been a major wood pulp producer.