Wellsville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wellsville, New York
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Landscape in Wellsville
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 Wellsville, New York
Location in New York
Wellsville, New York
Location in the United States
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| 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)
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| • Total | 7,099  |
| • Estimate
(2021)
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7,031 |
| • Density | 193.45/sq mi (74.69/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) |
| ZIP Code |
14895
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| FIPS code | 36-003-79103 |
Wellsville is a town and largest community in Allegany County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 7,099.
Wellsville is centrally located in the south half of the county, 8 miles (13 km) north of the Pennsylvania border. Wellsville is also the name of the main village within this town. The village and the town have two separate, paid governments. Alfred State College maintains a branch campus in the town, with the main campus in Alfred 7 miles (11 km) east.
Contents
History
The development of the Erie Railroad in 1851 helped grow the town, but more so the village.
In 2006, the residents of the Village of Wellsville defeated a referendum that would have dissolved the village and returned the community to the town.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.7 square miles (95.0 km2), of which 36.6 square miles (94.9 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.10%, is water.
The Genesee River flows northward through the town.
New York State Route 417 intersects New York State Route 19 at Wellsville village, and NY 19 intersects New York State Route 248 by the south town line in Stannards.
Demographics
| 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 | |||
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,678 people, 3,192 households, and 1,924 families residing in the town. The population density was 209.4 inhabitants per square mile (80.8/km2). There were 3,606 housing units at an average density of 98.4 per square mile (38.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.65% White, 0.53% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.24% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. 0.72% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 3,192 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.9% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.7% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 20.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,098, and the median income for a family was $39,705. Males had a median income of $36,302 versus $23,387 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,744. 16.0% of the population and 10.6% of families were below the poverty line. 17.9% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Economy
Wellsville's economy is dominated by skilled engineering and manufacturing with a cluster of companies in the energy sector. Its close proximity to prominent engineering schools at Alfred University, Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester has resulted in a high concentration of highly skilled and specialized engineers.
Ljungstrom, a division of The Arvos Group, (formerly Alstom Power Air Preheater) designs and manufactures in Wellsville products for the thermal power plant market, namely air preheaters and gas-gas heaters for thermal power generation facilities. As such, they are an innovator in the development of "clean coal technology."
Current Controls, founded in 1982, operates as a general contractor that specializes in bridge production. Operates primarily in New York State and Pennsylvania with another division located in Atlanta, GA.
The LC Whitford Company, founded in 1916, designs and manufactures electronic transformers, inductors and serves the automotive, aerospace, medical, data storage, lighting, power supply industries.
Northern Lights Candle Co., a manufacturer, retailer and wholesale distributor of candles and novelties, is headquartered in Wellsville.
Otis Eastern Services, founded in 1936, serves the oil and gas industries, constructing, upgrading and maintaining oil and gas distribution systems such as pipelines in West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
Release Coatings of NY, headquartered in Wellsville, is world leader in the development and production of state-of-the-art, water-based release agents including flex and rigid mandrel and mold releases agents and hose, tube, or pan cure release agents.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
Wellsville Central School District serves pre-K-12 on two campuses. In 2004, the district completed a multimillion-dollar building project creating a new middle school, additions to the high and elementary schools, and a new swimming pool. In 2010, the district upgraded the elementary school and athletic fields, complete with a multi-purpose, all-weather stadium. The Wellsville High School's newspaper, The Owl, was founded in 1907 and is one of the longest-running student newspapers in New York State.
Wellsville was also home to the Immaculate Conception School (ICS) of Allegany County, a Diocesan regional school, which was ranked No. 5 of 194 middle schools in Western New York by the Buffalo-based Business First. The school has since closed due to low enrollment.
Colleges
Wellsville is home to Alfred State College's School of Applied Technology which includes the Culinary Arts School, automotive department, building trades, and a Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing Center (SAMC) opened in 2016.
Public libraries
The David A. Howe Library, a member of the Southern Tier Library System, is the largest public library in Allegany County and the cultural center of Wellsville. Built in 1910 in the Georgian style, the brick building enjoys much natural light because of the large Palladian windows and still retains much of its original custom furnishings such as cork flooring, original carved oak wood ornamentation, and child-sized furniture in the children's wing. In addition to several large reading rooms, the facility includes a large exhibition room, two terraces, local history room, meeting rooms, kitchen, and the 301-person Nancy Howe Auditorium which is often used for concerts, plays, movies, and meetings. In 2017 the library was awarded the EBSCO Excellence in Rural Library Service Award by the Public Library Association and EBSCO Information Services.
Local landmarks
The Pink House
The Pink House is an Italianate-Revival mansion built in 1869 and located on the corner of West State Street and South Brooklyn Avenue. It is renowned for its architecture as well as for the ghost story attached to it. Many stories purport that the house is haunted by the ghost of a girl who drowned in the front fountain as well as her aunt, Mary Francis Farnum, who committed ... in a nearby mill race after a failed love affair and whose tragic demise was the inspiration for Hanford Lennox Gordon's famous poem "Pauline." The Pink House enjoys another literary association, as the setting for the 1987 Emmy-Award-winning film The Birthmark, based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story of the same name. Exterior and interior scenes were filmed at the Pink House. The Pink House is a private residence still owned by descendants of the original owners.
Events and entertainment
The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally
The Great Wellsville Balloon Rally is the largest annual event in the Wellsville area, attracting hot air balloonists and tourists from many parts of the country who participate in the event on the third full weekend of every July. The rally was started by Ray Stevens in 1975. The event has received coverage by the national media, including the Today show and is beloved by balloonists and spectators alike.
Ridgewalk & Run
The Ridgewalk & Run trail race event has been staged every year since 1993. Held in October, the event showcases fall foliage and highlights the area's oil industry. The 2008 event included a 5K and 10K trail run and a more challenging 14-mile trail run. Participants could also choose to enter one of the walking races of 2, 6, 9 or 14 miles.
Wellsville Creative Arts Center
The Wellsville Creative Arts Center opened on September 9, 2006, in the old Carter Hardware building downtown. Entrepreneur Andy Glanzman's addition to the downtown provides classes in ceramics and cooking. The center also includes the Coffee House where live music shows are staged almost every weekend.
Great Wellsville Trout Derby
The Great Wellsville Trout Derby is hosted by the Wellsville Lions Club during the last full weekend in April.
Notable people
- Nick Anderson, frontman of the pop rock band the Wrecks. The band's sophomore EP Panic Vertigo was also produced on a ranch in Wellsville.
- Kristin Beck, former, honorary, United States Navy SEAL, who gained public attention in 2013 when she came out as a trans woman. Kristin continues to pave the way for tolerance and acceptance of the LGBT community.
- William B. Duke, horse trainer, won the 1925 Kentucky Derby and the 1925 Preakness Stakes. Inducted in U.S Racing Hall of Fame.
- George "Gabby" Hayes, actor in many western movies
- Billy Packer, former sports broadcaster and author, born in Wellsville
- Jack Stevenson, author, film showman, born in Wellsville
- John Rigas, founder of Adelphia Communications Corporation, former owner of Buffalo Sabres
- Ted Taylor, nuclear physicist who became a nuclear disarmament advocate
- Charles Monroe Sheldon (minister), and leader of the Social Gospel movement.
Communities and locations in the Town of Wellsville
- Dykes Creek – A stream that joins the Genesee River in Wellsville village, named after Allegany County's and Wellsville's first settler, Nathaniel Dike. (But the spelling on modern maps has been corrupted.)
- Pink House – Large pink mansion located near Main Street and Wellsville Middle High School. Created by E.B. Hall for his wife.
- Elm Valley – A hamlet by the east town line on Route 417.
- Sunnydale/Proctor District – A neighborhood dominated by post-war homes located near Ljungstrom's Andover Road manufacturing facility.
- Norton Summit – A location west of the airport on the town line.
- Stannards – A hamlet on the south town line, south of Wellsville village at the junction of Route 19 and route 248.
- Wellsville – The Village of Wellsville is at the Genesee River and the intersection of Routes 19 and 417.
- Wellsville Municipal Airport, Tarantine Field (ELZ) – A general aviation airport, which also provides charter services, is located on a hill west of Wellsville village.
- Petrolia
See also
In Spanish: Wellsville (pueblo) para niños
