Bolivar (village), New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bolivar, New York
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 Bolivar, New York
Location in New York
Bolivar, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Allegany |
| Town | Bolivar |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.80 sq mi (2.06 km2) |
| • Land | 0.80 sq mi (2.06 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,594 ft (486 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,010 |
| • Density | 1,267.25/sq mi (489.45/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14715
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| Area code(s) | 585 |
| FIPS code | 36-07190 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0944401 |
| Website | http://www.villageofbolivar.org/ |
Bolivar is a small village in Allegany County, New York, United States. It's located in the western part of New York State. The village is part of a larger area also called Bolivar. In 2020, about 1,010 people lived here. The village got its name from Simón Bolívar, a famous leader from South America.
| Top - 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
Discovering Bolivar's Past
The first building in Bolivar was a log cabin, built around 1820. The village officially became a village in 1882.
Bolivar's Oil Boom
Bolivar and the nearby area of Richburg became very important during the oil boom of the late 1800s. It was known as "the heart of the Allegany Oil Field." During a short oil boom in the 1880s, Bolivar was said to be one of the wealthiest places in the United States for its size.
By the early 1900s, the first oil boom had slowed down. But around 1920, new ways to get oil from the ground made the industry strong again. By the early 1930s, Bolivar village had a new school, good roads, and a busy main street.
In the mid-1900s, the village and town of Bolivar started calling themselves "Land of the Deer and the Derrick." A derrick is a tall tower used for drilling oil.
Schools and Libraries
The village is home to the high school for the Bolivar-Richburg Central School District. This school district was formed in 1994 when two smaller districts joined together.
The Bolivar Free Library is an important building in the village. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. This means it's recognized as a special historical place.
Bolivar's Location and Surroundings
Bolivar is located at coordinates 42°4′2″N 78°9′59″W.
Land and Water
The village covers about 2.1 square kilometers (0.8 square miles) of land. There is no water area within the village limits. Root Hollow Creek flows into the village from the east. It joins with Little Genesee Creek, which flows north and south through the western part of the village. These creeks eventually lead to the Allegheny River.
Roads and Railways
Bolivar is where two state roads meet: Route 275 and Route 417.
In the past, trains were important for Bolivar. From 1881 to 1947, different railroads served the village. These trains helped transport goods and people, especially during the oil boom.
Famous People from Bolivar
Many interesting people have come from Bolivar!
- Frank Gannett was a very important person in the news business. He started the Gannett News Service, which owns many newspapers and TV stations today. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1893.
- Bob Torrey was a professional football player. He played as a running back for teams like the New York Giants, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1974.
- Richard Dougherty graduated from Bolivar in 1938. He worked as a press secretary for a presidential candidate in 1972. Later, he became the public relations director for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
- Patsy Dougherty (Patrick Henry "Patsy" Dougherty) was a professional baseball player. He graduated from Bolivar High School in 1893. He played from 1902 to 1911.
- In the first modern World Series in 1903, Patsy was the first player for the Boston Americans (now the Red Sox) to hit a home run.
- He was also the first player to hit two home runs in one World Series game.
- He hit a special kind of home run called a "lead-off inside-the-park home run" in a World Series game. This was a unique achievement that wasn't repeated for 112 years!
- Patsy was also the first player to play for two different teams that won the World Series. He played for the Boston Americans in 1903 and the Chicago White Sox in 1906.
Bolivar's Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 100 | — | |
| 1860 | 157 | 57.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,208 | — | |
| 1910 | 1,318 | 9.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,146 | −13.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,725 | 50.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,344 | −22.1% | |
| 1950 | 1,490 | 10.9% | |
| 1960 | 1,405 | −5.7% | |
| 1970 | 1,379 | −1.9% | |
| 1980 | 1,345 | −2.5% | |
| 1990 | 1,261 | −6.2% | |
| 2000 | 1,173 | −7.0% | |
| 2010 | 1,047 | −10.7% | |
| 2020 | 1,010 | −3.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The table above shows how Bolivar's population has changed over many years.
Who Lives in Bolivar?
Based on the 2000 census, there were 1,173 people living in Bolivar. Most residents were White (98.55%). A small number of people were African American, Native American, or Asian. About 0.17% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
There were 451 households in the village. About 36.4% of these households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.6 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 31.2% were under 18 years old.
- 10.0% were between 18 and 24.
- 25.9% were between 25 and 44.
- 19.0% were between 45 and 64.
- 13.9% were 65 years or older.
The average age in the village was 34 years old.
Income Information
In 2000, the average income for a household in Bolivar was about $29,286 per year. For families, the average income was about $36,442.
About 20% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 26.8% of those under 18 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Bolívar (villa) para niños
