Forestville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Forestville, New York
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Hamlet and CDP
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The former Erie Railroad station in Forestville, seen in August 2015.
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 Forestville, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Chautauqua |
| Town | Hanover |
| Settled | 1808 |
| Incorporated | 1848 |
| Dissolved | December 31, 2016 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.06 sq mi (2.73 km2) |
| • Land | 1.06 sq mi (2.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 932 ft (284 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 704 |
| • Density | 666.67/sq mi (257.52/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14062
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| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-26649 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0950437 |
Forestville is a small community in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. It is known as a hamlet, which is a small settlement, and also a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's a special area defined for gathering population data.
In 2020, about 704 people lived in Forestville. It is located within the larger town of Hanover. Forestville used to be an official village from 1848 until the end of 2016.
Contents
Forestville's Past
Early Settlers and Name Changes
The first people to settle in the area were the Tupper brothers in 1805. The community started in 1808 and was first called "Walnut Falls." Later, it was also known as "Moore's Hills." In 1820, the name was officially changed to "Forestville." The community became an incorporated village in 1848.
Historic Buildings
Forestville has some very old buildings. The "Bell Tower" at the high school is the oldest brick building still standing in the northern part of the county. It was rebuilt in the early 2000s by Forestville Central School. There is also an old barn or carriage house at 29 Lodi Street. This is the oldest wooden building still standing in northern Chautauqua County.
Village Dissolution
In 2015, the village faced some money problems and received emergency loans. Because of this, the people living in Forestville voted on whether to keep the village government or dissolve it. They voted to dissolve the village by a count of 137 to 97. The Village of Forestville officially stopped being a village on December 31, 2016.
Recent Tornado Event
On July 10, 2024, a tornado touched down in Forestville. This tornado was caused by the leftover storms from Hurricane Beryl. It caused EF1 damage, which means it was a weaker tornado but still caused some damage, mostly along Henry and Putnam roads.
Famous People from Forestville
Many interesting people have connections to Forestville. Here are a few:
- George Abbott: He was a famous Broadway producer and playwright. He was born in Forestville on June 25, 1887. A special historical marker was placed on Main Street in 2008 to honor him.
- Edgar Anderson: He was a botanist, which means he studied plants.
- Cyrus D. Angell: He owned a lot of land in Forestville in the 1800s. He was known for his idea about finding oil, called the "Belt Theory." He believed oil existed in "belts" underground, like hidden rivers. Some local places are named after him.
- Emily Montague Mulkin Bishop: She was a lecturer, instructor, and author who lived from 1858 to 1916.
- William J. Colvill: He was a colonel in the Union army during the American Civil War. He led soldiers in the Battle of Gettysburg. He also served as Minnesota's Attorney General and was a US congressman.
- Les Dye: He was a professional football player in the NFL.
- Carol J. Adams: She is a writer, a feminist, and an activist who works to protect animal rights.
Forestville's Location
Forestville is located in the southwestern part of the town of Hanover. Its exact coordinates are 42 degrees, 28 minutes, 18 seconds North and 79 degrees, 10 minutes, 27 seconds West.
Land and Water
The hamlet covers an area of about 2.5 square kilometers (about 1 square mile), and all of it is land. Walnut Creek flows through the area and is joined by Tupper Brook north of Forestville. These creeks then flow northward into Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes.
Roads and Travel
New York State Route 39 is the main road that goes through Forestville, running from east to west. This road also connects with other county roads like 85, 87, and 89. If you travel east on Route 39, it's about 12 miles to Gowanda. If you go west on Route 39 and then connect to U.S. Route 20, it's about 8 miles to Fredonia.
Population Changes Over Time
Forestville's population has changed throughout its history. Here's a look at how many people have lived there over the years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 574 | — | |
| 1870 | 722 | 25.8% | |
| 1880 | 724 | 0.3% | |
| 1890 | 788 | 8.8% | |
| 1900 | 623 | −20.9% | |
| 1910 | 721 | 15.7% | |
| 1920 | 620 | −14.0% | |
| 1930 | 677 | 9.2% | |
| 1940 | 692 | 2.2% | |
| 1950 | 786 | 13.6% | |
| 1960 | 905 | 15.1% | |
| 1970 | 908 | 0.3% | |
| 1980 | 804 | −11.5% | |
| 1990 | 738 | −8.2% | |
| 2000 | 770 | 4.3% | |
| 2010 | 697 | −9.5% | |
| 2020 | 704 | 1.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, when Forestville was still a village, there were 770 people living there. About 95% of the people identified as White. The average household had about 2.5 people.
Fun Events
Forestville hosts a yearly event called the Forestville Fall Festival. It used to be known as the Forestville Apple Festival. This festival happens on the first weekend of October. It celebrates the apple harvest and includes a craft fair, a parade, special events, and a harvest dinner. It's a great way for the community to come together!
See also
In Spanish: Forestville (Nueva York) para niños
