Gasport, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gasport, New York
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U.S. Post Office, Gasport, NY, September 2012
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Location in Niagara County and the state of New York.
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 Gasport, New York
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Niagara |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.17 sq mi (8.21 km2) |
| • Land | 3.12 sq mi (8.08 km2) |
| • Water | 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2) |
| Elevation | 515 ft (157 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,296 |
| • Density | 415.52/sq mi (160.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14067
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| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-28431 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0950934 |
Gasport is a small community called a hamlet in Niagara County, New York. It is also known as a census-designated place, which means it's an area the government counts for population. In 2010, about 1,248 people lived there. The name "Gasport" comes from two things: natural gas found in the area and its location as a port on the famous Erie Canal. Gasport is located east of the City of Lockport. It is part of the larger Buffalo–Niagara Falls area.
Contents
Gasport's Early History
On May 18, 1826, a group of scientists and explorers were traveling through western New York on a canal boat. This group was led by Amos Eaton and Joseph Henry, who were important figures from the Rensselaerian School (now called Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).
During their trip, they found something amazing: flammable gas rising from a spring! This gas was coal gas, which can easily catch fire. Because of this discovery, they decided to name the nearby community "Gasport." Just eight days later, on May 26, they passed through the area again. They were surprised to see that the name "Gasport" was already being used on signs around the settlement.
Where is Gasport Located?
Gasport is found at specific coordinates: 43.197713 degrees North and -78.572630 degrees West. It covers a total area of about 3.17 square miles (8.21 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 3.12 square miles (8.08 square kilometers). A small part, about 0.05 square miles (0.13 square kilometers), is water.
The hamlet of Gasport is right on New York State Route 31, which is also known as Rochester Road. It is also located along the historic Erie Canal, a very important waterway in New York's history.
Who Lives in Gasport?
According to the 2020 census, the population of Gasport was 1,296 people. Back in 2000, there were 1,248 people living in the community. At that time, there were 456 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. About 315 of these were families.
Most people living in Gasport in 2000 were White (about 95.91%). A smaller number were African American, Native American, or Asian. Some people were also from two or more different backgrounds. A small percentage (0.40%) were Hispanic or Latino.
About 30.7% of the households had children under 18 living with them. The average household had about 2.53 people, and the average family had about 3.04 people. The community's population included people of all ages, with about 23.0% being under 18 and 18.6% being 65 or older. The average age was 40 years old.
Famous People from Gasport
Several notable people have connections to Gasport:
- William W. Campbell was a former New York State Senator.
- Jim Haslett is known as an American football player and coach.
- Warren Hull was an actor and TV personality.
- Benjamin Vandervoort was a distinguished U.S. Army Officer during World War II.
- Belva Ann Lockwood was an author, attorney, and an important activist for Women's Rights.
