Wellsville, New York facts for kids

This page is about the town. For the village located within this town, see Wellsville (village), New York.

Quick facts for kids Wellsville, New York
Town
Landscape in Wellsville
Wellsville, New York Location in New York Show map of New York Wellsville, New York Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Allegany
Government
• Type	Town Council
Area
• Total	36.68 sq mi (95.01 km²)
• Land	36.65 sq mi (94.91 km²)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.10 km²)
Elevation	1,505 ft (459 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	7,099
• Estimate (2021)	7,031
• Density	193.45/sq mi (74.69/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST)
ZIP Code	14895
FIPS code	36-003-79103

Wellsville is a town located in Allegany County, New York, in the United States. It is the largest community in the county. In 2020, about 7,099 people lived in the town.

Wellsville is in the southern part of Allegany County. It is about 8 miles north of the Pennsylvania border. The main village within this town is also called Wellsville. The town and the village have their own separate governments. Alfred State College has a campus in the town, while its main campus is in Alfred, about 7 miles to the east.

Discovering Wellsville's Past

The town of Wellsville grew a lot after the Erie Railroad was built in 1851. This helped both the town and the village become more important.

In 2006, people in the Village of Wellsville voted against a plan. This plan would have combined the village back into the town.

Wellsville's Geography and Location

Wellsville covers a total area of about 95 square kilometers (36.68 square miles). Most of this area is land, with only a small part being water.

The Genesee River flows north through the town. This river is an important natural feature.

Major roads in Wellsville include New York State Route 417 and New York State Route 19. These roads meet in Wellsville village. Route 19 also crosses New York State Route 248 near the southern edge of the town in a place called Stannards.

Wellsville's Population Over Time

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	2,432	—
1870	3,781	55.5%
1880	4,259	12.6%
1890	4,765	11.9%
1900	4,981	4.5%
1910	5,663	13.7%
1920	6,171	9.0%
1930	6,909	12.0%
1940	7,641	10.6%
1950	8,555	12.0%
1960	8,278	−3.2%
1970	8,368	1.1%
1980	8,658	3.5%
1990	8,116	−6.3%
2000	7,678	−5.4%
2010	7,397	−3.7%
2020	7,099	−4.0%
2021 (est.)	7,031	−4.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 7,678 people living in Wellsville. The town had 3,192 households. The average number of people in each household was about 2.29.

The population included people of different ages. About 22.9% were under 18 years old. About 20.7% were 65 years or older. The average age in the town was 41 years.

Wellsville's Economy and Businesses

Wellsville's economy is strong in engineering and manufacturing. Many companies here work in the energy field. The town is close to engineering schools like Alfred University and Rochester Institute of Technology. This means many skilled engineers live and work here.

Key Companies in Wellsville

Ljungstrom: This company makes parts for power plants. They design products like air preheaters. They also work on "clean coal technology."
Current Controls: Founded in 1982, this company builds bridges. They mostly work in New York State and Pennsylvania.
The LC Whitford Company: Started in 1916, this company makes electronic parts. They create transformers and inductors. Their products are used in cars, airplanes, and medical devices.
Northern Lights Candle Co.: This company makes and sells candles. Their main office is in Wellsville.
Otis Eastern Services: Since 1936, this company has worked with oil and gas. They build and fix pipelines. They work in states like New York and West Virginia.
Release Coatings of NY: This Wellsville company makes special coatings. These coatings help things release easily from molds.

Learning and Libraries in Wellsville

Wellsville has good schools and a large public library.

Schools for All Ages

The Wellsville Central School District serves students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. They have two campuses. In 2004, they built a new middle school and added to other schools. They also built a new swimming pool.

In 2010, the district improved the elementary school and sports fields. They added a new all-weather stadium. The Wellsville High School newspaper, The Owl, started in 1907. It is one of the oldest student newspapers in New York State.

Colleges and Higher Learning

Wellsville is home to a part of Alfred State College. This campus focuses on applied technology. It includes programs like Culinary Arts, automotive repair, and building trades. A new Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center (SAMC) opened here in 2016.

The David A. Howe Library

David A. Howe Library, Wellsville, NY

The David A. Howe Library is the biggest public library in Allegany County. It is a cultural hub for Wellsville. The building was built in 1910. It has large windows that let in a lot of light. It still has many of its original furnishings, like cork flooring and carved oak wood.

The library has reading rooms, an exhibition room, and meeting rooms. It also has the Nancy Howe Auditorium, which holds concerts, plays, and movies. In 2017, the library won an award for excellent rural library service.

Famous Places in Wellsville

Wellsville has some interesting local landmarks.

The Pink House

The Pink House is a large, beautiful mansion built in 1869. It is known for its unique architecture. Many stories say the house is haunted. It is also famous for being the setting of the 1987 film The Birthmark. The Pink House is still a private home today.

Fun Events and Entertainment

Wellsville hosts several exciting events throughout the year.

The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally

Hot Air Balloons, Wellsville, NY

Great Wellsville Balloon Rally

The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally is the biggest yearly event in the area. It brings hot air balloon pilots and visitors from all over. It happens on the third full weekend of July. The rally started in 1975. It has even been shown on national TV.

Ridgewalk & Run

The Ridgewalk & Run is a trail race event held every October since 1993. It lets people see the beautiful fall leaves. It also highlights the area's history with the oil industry. In 2008, it included different length runs and walks.

Wellsville Creative Arts Center

The Wellsville Creative Arts Center opened in 2006. It offers classes in things like ceramics and cooking. The center also has a Coffee House where live music is often played on weekends.

Great Wellsville Trout Derby

The Wellsville Lions Club hosts the Great Wellsville Trout Derby. This fishing event takes place during the last full weekend in April.

Well-Known People from Wellsville

Nick Anderson: He is the lead singer of the band "The Wrecks."
Kristin Beck: A former U.S. Navy SEAL who became known in 2013.
William B. Duke: A horse trainer who won important races in 1925. He is in the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame.
George "Gabby" Hayes: An actor famous for his roles in many western movies.
Billy Packer: A former sports broadcaster and author.
Jack Stevenson: An author and film showman.
John Rigas: The person who started Adelphia Communications Corporation.
Ted Taylor: A nuclear physicist who later worked to stop nuclear weapons.
Charles Monroe Sheldon: A minister and leader in a social movement.

Places and Neighborhoods in Wellsville

Dykes Creek: A stream that flows into the Genesee River in Wellsville village. It is named after Nathaniel Dike, an early settler.
Pink House: A large pink mansion near Main Street and the Wellsville Middle High School.
Elm Valley: A small community on the eastern side of town, located on Route 417.
Sunnydale/Proctor District: A neighborhood with many homes built after World War II. It is near the Ljungstrom manufacturing facility.
Norton Summit: A place west of the airport, on the town line.
Stannards: A small community on the southern town line. It is south of Wellsville village where Route 19 and Route 248 meet.
Wellsville: The main village in the town. It is located by the Genesee River where Routes 19 and 417 cross.
Wellsville Municipal Airport, Tarantine Field (ELZ): An airport for small planes. It is on a hill west of Wellsville village.
Petrolia: Another location within the town.