Keene, N.Y., Zip Code 12942

12942 is a good set of numbers, containing 1492 and 1942.

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue and landed somewhere in the Bahamas. He reportedly said, “Miami it isn’t, but it will do for now.” He got back on his ship and told his crew, “Maybe we can find Boca Raton.” Unsuccessful in that endeavor, he eventually returned to Spain and told Isabella, “Retirement to Florida isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Besides, you have Majorca.”

In 1942, Germany/Japan/Italy lost World War II. Many more millions were to die before the Nazis gave up in May 1945 and Japan in September, but the war turned in 1942. Battles in Stalingrad, Midway, New Guinea and Guadalcanal all went against the Axis alliance.

Keene is in Essex County, in the far northeast area of New York. Here is a satellite image of the Keene area:

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?zipcode=12942

Population dropped from 670 in 2000 to 646 in 2010. As with most of the country, home costs have roller-coasted, $270,000 in 2009; $310,000 in 2011; $110,000 in 2012; and $210,000 in Fourth Quarter 2013.

Cost of living index is 101. Population race is pretty much white, 98.68% in 2000. http://www.city-data.com/zips/12942.html lists population as “100% rural.” Median age is 51.1. State median is 38.1. Median household income in 2011 was $10,000 less than the state median, but that $45,000 will buy a lot more in Keene than $55,000 will in NYC.

Forty-two households have one vehicle; 158 have two. Thirty-one residents are foreign-born, 65% from the Dominican Republic.

Here is the town’s web site: http://www.townofkeeneny.com/

Note “Municipal Burn Ban,” advising residents “NO BRUSH will be accepted at the transfer station AFTER Friday, June 28th, 2013.”