Ischua, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ischua
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| Town of Ischua | |
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 Ischua
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Cattaraugus |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 32.40 sq mi (83.91 km2) |
| • Land | 32.38 sq mi (83.86 km2) |
| • Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,503 ft (458 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 736 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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722 |
| • Density | 22.73/sq mi (8.78/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
14743
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| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-009-37825 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0979096 |
| Website | https://www.townofischuany.org/ |
Ischua (say it like ISH-way) is a small and friendly town located in Cattaraugus County, New York, in the United States. In 2020, about 736 people lived here. The name Ischua also refers to a smaller community, or hamlet, within the town. You can find Ischua on the eastern edge of the county, just north of the city of Olean.
Contents
History of Ischua
Early Settlers and Founding
The area that is now Ischua was first explored around 1808. One of the first visitors was Seymore Buton. Later, around 1812, Abram Farwell also visited. He soon returned with his wife, Lydia Farwell, and their family.
Lydia Farwell was the daughter of Thaddeus Jackson, a soldier from the American Revolutionary War. In 1814, Lydia inherited money from her family. She used this money to buy the first piece of land in what is now Ischua. On this land, she built the Farwell sawmill. People have lived in Ischua continuously since that time. Lydia Farwell's family has been an important part of Ischua's history for many generations.
How Ischua Became a Town
The town of Ischua was officially created in 1846. It was formed by dividing a larger town called Hinsdale. Before this, there was another "Town of Ischua" in the county. That older town is now known as Franklinville and other northern parts of Cattaraugus County.
When the current town of Ischua was first formed on February 7, 1846, it was called the "Town of Rice." The very first town meeting was held on February 24, 1846. The town's name was changed from Rice to Ischua on March 27, 1855.
Old Industries and Transportation
In 1869, the Cuba Creamery was built in the southeast part of town. It was a busy place, making a lot of cheese and butter. Ischua also had quarries with good building stone. These stones helped early settlers build their homes and other structures.
After the Genesee Valley Canal stopped being used, a railroad called the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad was built. It ran through the town, following the valley of Ischua Creek. In the past, Ischua had its own post office. It was first called West Hinsdale, then Rice, and finally Ischua. Later, its postal services joined with Hinsdale's.
Geography of Ischua
Ischua covers an area of about 83.9 square kilometers (about 32.4 square miles). Only a very small part of this, about 0.05 square kilometers, is water.
The eastern border of the town is also the border of Allegany County. The land in Ischua is mostly hilly, with some high points reaching about 670 meters (2,200 feet) above sea level. This is about 180 meters (600 feet) higher than the valleys.
The main waterway is Ischua Creek, which flows south through the middle of the town. This creek helped form the Ischua Valley. The soil in the area is mostly clay, with some gravelly soil too. New York State Route 16 is a major highway that runs north and south through the town. It follows Ischua Creek for most of its path.
Genesee Valley Canal
Building the Canal
On May 6, 1836, the New York Legislature decided to build the Genesee Valley Canal. This canal was a big project designed to help transport goods. A large reservoir was built to hold water for the canal. This reservoir could hold 68 million cubic feet of water.
A special feeder creek carried water to the highest point of the canal in Hinsdale. This feeder crossed Oil Creek using an aqueduct, which is like a bridge for water. The town of Ischua was a perfect spot for a dam because Ischua Creek flows deeply from north to south into the Allegheny River. Building the canal through the Ischua-Hinsdale area allowed merchants to move goods from Rochester all the way to Pittsburgh. The canal was fed by thirteen different creeks. The Ischua Dam, which created the Farwell reservoir for the canal, was finished in 1856.
The Dam Today
The town of Ischua now owns the Ischua Dam area. This property, located on Route 16 and Farwell Road, includes the spillway and the dam. The town bought it to develop it as an educational and recreation area because of its historical importance.
On this property, you can also find one of Ischua's old one-room schoolhouses, built in 1881. This building now houses the Town of Ischua Historical Society, where you can learn more about the town's past.
Notable Person
- U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Timothy Kellner is a famous person from Ischua. He is known as one of the top snipers in the U.S. Army. He had 139 confirmed kills during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Nearby Towns and Areas
Ischua is surrounded by several other towns and areas. To the east, you'll find the town of Cuba in Allegany County. Ischua shares its southern border with the town of Hinsdale. To the west is the town of Humphrey. North of Ischua are the towns of Franklinville and Lyndon. A part of the Seneca Indian Reservation is also located within the town of Ischua.
Population Information
The population of Ischua has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 906 | — | |
| 1860 | 986 | 8.8% | |
| 1870 | 872 | −11.6% | |
| 1880 | 935 | 7.2% | |
| 1890 | 853 | −8.8% | |
| 1900 | 832 | −2.5% | |
| 1910 | 803 | −3.5% | |
| 1920 | 656 | −18.3% | |
| 1930 | 566 | −13.7% | |
| 1940 | 503 | −11.1% | |
| 1950 | 622 | 23.7% | |
| 1960 | 562 | −9.6% | |
| 1970 | 655 | 16.5% | |
| 1980 | 775 | 18.3% | |
| 1990 | 847 | 9.3% | |
| 2000 | 895 | 5.7% | |
| 2010 | 859 | −4.0% | |
| 2020 | 736 | −14.3% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 722 | −15.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
According to the census from 2000, there were 895 people living in Ischua. There were 345 households, and 245 of these were families. The average household had about 2.59 people. The average family had about 3.01 people.
About 25.3% of the population was under 18 years old. About 12.8% of the population was 65 years or older. The median age in the town was 41 years. Most of the people living in Ischua were White.
Communities and Locations in Ischua
- Abbott – This is a small hamlet in the northeastern part of the town.
- Cuba Lake – A small section of this lake touches the northeastern border of the town.
- Fitch – Another hamlet located in the northwestern corner of the town.
- Ischua – This is the main hamlet of Ischua. It's where New York State Route 16 meets County Roads 48 and 81 in the northern part of the town.
- Oil Springs Reservation – Part of the Oil Springs Reservation is found in the northeastern area of the town.
- Cattaraugus County-Olean Airport (OLE) – Ischua has its own airport for general aviation. It is located east of the Ischua hamlet.
- Dutch Hill – Also known as Maple Hill, this area is in the southwestern part of the town. Many German-speaking settlers from eastern Pennsylvania first settled here.
See also
In Spanish: Ischua (Nueva York) para niños
