Alfred, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alfred
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Remains of the Celadon Terra Cotta Tile Co. fire, December 1909
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 Alfred
Location in New York
Alfred
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Allegany |
| Incorporated | 1808 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 31.63 sq mi (81.91 km2) |
| • Land | 31.48 sq mi (81.52 km2) |
| • Water | 0.15 sq mi (0.39 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,916 ft (584 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,896  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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4,880 |
| • Density | 161.52/sq mi (62.36/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14803
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| Area code(s) | 607 |
| FIPS code | 36-003-01209 |
Alfred is a town located in Allegany County, New York, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,896 people lived there.
The Town of Alfred has a village also called Alfred right in its center. This village is home to two important schools: Alfred University and Alfred State College.
Contents
History of Alfred Town
How Alfred Began: Early Settlers and Land
The land where Alfred is now was first owned by the Seneca Indians. After the American Revolutionary War, the land became part of the United States. New York and Massachusetts both claimed it, but in 1786, New York gave the land to Massachusetts, while keeping control over it. By 1791, most of Alfred's land was sold to settlers for about $2 to $4 per acre.
The first settlers followed old Indian trails. These trails were often rough and hard to travel. From Hornellsville westward, roads were mostly just paths marked by 'blazed trees' (trees with cuts to show the way).
People believe the town of Alfred was named after Alfred the Great, a famous English king. While there are no old documents that directly prove this, there's no other known reason for the name. Also, no early settler was named Alfred.
Growing in the 1800s: Community and Education
In 1807, the first settlers arrived in Alfred. They started clearing forests and building log cabins. These first settlers were three men from New York: Clark Crandall, Nathan Green, and Edward Green. They were Seventh Day Baptists, a Christian group. Clark Crandall later became a judge and joined the state government.
Many of the first settlers were Seventh Day Baptists. Their first church in America was formed in Rhode Island in 1671. They were similar to other Baptists but observed Saturday as their Sabbath (day of rest). Over time, these communities grew and spread westward into New York.
On March 11, 1808, Allegany County was officially set up. At the same time, the state government named and organized the town of Alfred. It was one of five towns created from a larger area called Angelica.
Early on, log schoolhouses were built in every neighborhood. School, singing lessons, spelling bees, and church meetings became important parts of community life. As people became more successful, they replaced their log cabins with larger frame houses. Amos Crandall, known as 'Deacon Crandall,' taught school for $10 a month. He was also one of the first to teach singing and started the first Sabbath school.
Life and Work for Early Settlers
The first thing settlers did was create "clearings" by cutting down trees. They saved the ashes from burned trees to make potash, which was their first way to earn money. Making maple sugar helped them get food and other supplies. Lumber was not very valuable because there were no good roads to sell it.
People who could hunt found food, especially if they could get money for killing wolves. They grew flax, processed it by hand, and made it into clothing. Later, they raised sheep for wool to make more clothes. Most early homes had tools for spinning and weaving. Oxen were commonly used for farm work because they were strong and useful.
The rich soil, made better by the ashes from burned timber, grew good crops. Over the years, more land was cleared, orchards were planted, and farm animals increased. Roads also got better. Mills were built, and small stores opened up.
Many early settlers were children of soldiers from the American Revolution. Some even fought in the War of 1812. Alfred's young men also played a part in the border conflicts in Kansas. When the Civil War began, nearly 150 young men from Alfred joined the Union army. Many students and professors from Alfred's college also fought.
Higher Education and Industry in the 1800s
In 1832, Alfred University was founded in Alfred. It was one of the first colleges to allow both boys and girls to study together. The university aimed to teach both practical skills and general knowledge. It became an important school supported by the Seventh Day Baptists.
In 1888, the Celadon Terra Cotta Company started in Alfred. This happened after high-quality clay was found in the town. The company grew quickly, becoming a top maker of roof tiles and decorative clay for buildings. Another company, Alfred Clay Company, also built large brick factories. These clay companies helped make Alfred a center for ceramics. Because of this, the New York State College of Ceramics was established at Alfred University in 1900.
Alfred in the 1900s: Ceramics and Colleges
The new ceramics college hired Charles Fergus Binns, a British ceramicist, as its director. Binns believed that students should learn both the artistic and technical sides of ceramics. Under his leadership, the college became a leading place for ceramic studies. It eventually created separate schools for ceramic art and ceramic engineering. Even after the Celadon Terra Cotta Company's factory burned down in 1909, Alfred remained a key place for ceramics because of the college.
In 1908, an agricultural school was added to Alfred University. It had a farm, animals, and machinery for teaching farming skills. In 1937, an Engineering Technology school was formed. In 1948, this entire college separated from Alfred University to become Alfred State College.
Higher Education in Alfred
Alfred is home to three important schools: Alfred University, Alfred State College, and the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University.
- Alfred University started in 1836. It was founded by Seventh Day Baptists and was one of the first colleges in the U.S. to educate both men and women. Alfred University offers over 40 different subjects. About 2,000 students attend each year.
- Alfred State College began in 1908 as the New York State College of Agriculture at Alfred University. In 1948, it became one of the first schools in the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Alfred State College has about 3,400 students. They study many subjects like information technology, nursing, and web development.
- The New York State College of Ceramics is part of the State University of New York system, but it is run by Alfred University. It was founded in 1900 as a school for clay-working and ceramics.
Geography of Alfred
The town of Alfred covers about 31.6 square miles (81.8 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
New York State Route 244 runs through the town. It ends near Alfred Station where it meets New York State Route 21. Several county roads also pass through Alfred.
A small stream called Canacadea Creek flows through the town all year. It eventually flows into the Canisteo River, which is part of the Susquehanna River system. The area has steep hills because it is part of the Allegheny Plateau, which is the northern part of the Appalachian Mountains.
Communities and Places in Alfred
- Alfred – This is the main village located in the middle of the town.
- Alfred Station – A small community northeast of Alfred village, along Route 244.
- Alfred Center – This used to be a small community on Whitney Valley Creek.
- Dykes Creek – An important stream in the southern part of the town. It flows towards Andover and then joins the Genesee River.
- East Valley – A valley east of Railroad Valley. It goes all the way to Andover.
- Five Corners – A community west of Alfred village on Route 244. Several county and town roads meet here.
- Jericho Hill – A hill south of Alfred village. Alfred University has sports fields for rugby and football on top of this hill.
- Pine Hill – A hill east of Alfred village.
- Railroad Valley – The valley just east of Alfred village, where Tip Top is located.
- Tip Top – An area southeast of Alfred village on Route 21. It's known as the highest point along the old Erie-Lackawanna Railroad line.
- Tinkertown – A place northeast of Alfred village on Route 244. It has a strip of stores and houses in a narrow valley.
- Whitney Valley Creek – An important stream in the northern part of the town. It flows into the Canisteo River and then into the Susquehanna River basin.
Climate
Alfred has a climate with big differences between seasons. Summers are warm to hot and often humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.
Notable People
- Eva Allen Alberti (1856–1938), a teacher of drama.
- Flora A. Brewster (1852–1919), a doctor and surgeon.
- Joseph Goodrich (1800–1867), an early settler.
- John Tuttle (born 1958), a long-distance runner.
Images for kids
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Remains of the Celadon Terra Cotta Tile Co. fire, December 1909
See also
In Spanish: Alfred (pueblo) para niños
