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Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 48,671. It is adjacent to the Niagara River, across from the city of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and named after the famed Niagara Falls which they share. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area and the Western New York region.

While the city was formerly inhabited by Native Americans, Europeans who migrated to the Niagara Falls in the mid-17th century began to open businesses and develop infrastructure. Later in the 18th and 19th centuries, scientists and businessmen began harnessing the power of the Niagara River for electricity and the city began to attract manufacturers and other businesses drawn by the promise of inexpensive hydroelectric power. After the 1960s, however, the city and region experienced an economic decline. As industries left the region, affluent and middle-class families relocated from Niagara Falls to other metropolitan areas around the country.

Due to the loss of jobs in the region, especially in the manufacturing sector, the city has gone from over 102,000 residents in 1960 to approximately 48,000 residents in 2020, a population drop of more than 50%.

History
Before Europeans entered the area, it was dominated by the Neutral Nation of Native Americans. European migration into the area began in the 17th century. The first recorded European to visit the area was Frenchman Robert de la Salle, who built Fort Conti at the mouth of the Niagara River early in 1679, with permission from the Iroquois, as a base for boatbuilding; his ship Le Griffon was built on the upper Niagara River at or near Cayuga Creek in the same year. He was accompanied by Belgian priest Louis Hennepin, who was the first known European to see the falls. The influx of newcomers may have been a catalyst for already hostile native tribes to turn to open warfare in competition for the fur trade.

The City of Niagara Falls was incorporated on March 17, 1892, from the villages of Manchester and Suspension Bridge, which were parts of the Town of Niagara. Thomas Vincent Welch, a member of the charter committee and a New York state assemblyman and a second-generation Irish American, persuaded Governor Roswell P. Flower to sign the bill on St. Patrick's Day. George W. Wright was elected the first mayor of Niagara Falls.

By the end of the 19th century, the city was heavily industrialized, due in part to the power potential offered by the Niagara River. Tourism was considered a secondary niche, while manufacturing of petrochemicals, abrasives, metallurgical products and other materials was the main producer of jobs and attracted a large number of workers, many of whom were immigrants.

In 1927, the city annexed the village of La Salle, named for Robert de la Salle, from the Town of Niagara.

Industry and tourism grew steadily throughout the first half of the 20th century due to a high demand for industrial products and the increased mobility of people to travel. Paper, rubber, plastics, petrochemicals, carbon insulators and abrasives were among the city's major industries. This prosperity would end by the late 1960s as aging industrial plants moved to less expensive locations. In addition, the falls were incompatible with modern shipping technology.

In 1956, the Schoellkopf Power Plant on the lower river just downstream of the American Falls was critically damaged by the collapse of the Niagara Gorge wall above it. This prompted the planning and construction of one of the largest hydroelectric plants to be built in North America to that time, generating a large influx of workers and families to the area. New York City urban planner Robert Moses built the new power plant in nearby Lewiston, New York. Much of the power generated there fueled growing demands for power in downstate New York and New York City.

The neighborhood of Love Canal gained national media attention in 1978 when toxic waste contamination from a chemical landfill beneath it forced United States President Jimmy Carter to declare a state of emergency, the first such presidential declaration made for a non-natural disaster. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from the area, many of whom were ill because of exposure to chemical waste.

After the Love Canal disaster, the city—which had already been declining in population for nearly two decades—experienced accelerated economic and political difficulties. The costs of manufacturing elsewhere had become less expensive, which led to the closure of several factories. The city's population eventually dropped by more than half of its peak, as workers fled the city in search of jobs elsewhere. Then, much like the nearby city of Buffalo, the city's economy plummeted when a failed urban renewal project destroyed Falls Street and the tourist district.

In 2001, the leadership of Laborers Local 91 was found guilty of extortion, racketeering and other crimes following an exposé by Mike Hudson of the Niagara Falls Reporter. Union boss Michael "Butch" Quarcini died before trial, while the rest of the union leadership was sentenced to prison.

In early 2010, former Niagara Falls Mayor Vincenzo Anello was indicted on federal charges of corruption, alleging the mayor accepted $40,000 in loans from a businessman who was later awarded a no-bid lease on city property. The charges were dropped as part of a plea deal after Anello pleaded guilty to unrelated charges of pension fraud, regarding a pension from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, of which he is a member. He was sentenced to 10 to 16 months in prison.

The city's decline received national exposure from Bloomberg Businessweek in 2010.

On November 30, 2010, the New York State Attorney General entered into an agreement with the city and its police department to create new policies to govern police practices in response to claims of excessive force and police misconduct. The city committed to create policies and procedures to prevent and respond to allegations of excessive force, and to ensure police are properly trained and complaints are properly investigated. Prior claims filed by residents will be evaluated by an independent panel. In 2020, a public square named Cataract Commons opened on Old Falls Street. It is a public space for outdoor events and activities.

The city has multiple properties on the National Register of Historic Places. It also has three national historic districts, including Chilton Avenue-Orchard Parkway Historic District, Deveaux School Historic District and the Park Place Historic District.

Geography
Niagara Falls is at the international boundary between the United States and Canada. The city is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area and is approximately 16 miles from Buffalo, New York.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 16.8 sqmi, of which 14.1 sqmi is land and 2.8 sqmi (16.37%) is water. The city is built along the Niagara Falls and the Niagara Gorge, which is next to the Niagara River.

Climate
Niagara Falls has a humid continental climate (Dfa). The city experiences cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. Precipitation is moderate and consistent in all seasons, falling equally or more as snow during the winter. The city has snowier than average winters compared to most cities in the US, however less than many other cities in Upstate New York including nearby Buffalo and Rochester. Thaw cycles with temperatures above 0 °C are a common occurrence. The hottest and coldest temperatures recorded in the decade through 2015 were 97 °F in 2005 and −13 °F in 2003, respectively. 38% of warm season precipitation falls in the form of a thunderstorm.

Neighborhoods

 * Buffalo Avenue – runs along the south end along the Niagara River once home to a vast number of old families with architecturally significant mansions; further east (past John Daly Boulevard) the street is surrounded by a number of industrial sites to 56th Street before returning to a residential area and ending at the Love Canal area at 102nd Street.
 * Central District
 * Deveaux – Located in the northwestern corner (west of the North End) along the Niagara River is residential area built in the 1920s to 1940s. Named for Judge Samuel DeVeaux who left his estate to be established as the Deveaux College for Orphans and Destitute Children in 1853 (closed 1971), now the site of DeVeaux Woods State Park and DeVeaux School Historical District.
 * Downtown – Area around the Falls and home to hotels including Seneca Niagara Resort Casino, Niagara Falls State Park, Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (formerly Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet)
 * East Side – the area bounded by the gorge on the west, Niagara Street on the south, Ontario Avenue on the North and Main Street (NY Rt 104) on the east.
 * Hyde Park – Located near the namesake Hyde Park next to Little Italy as well as home to Hyde Park Municipal Golf Course.
 * LaSalle – Bounded by 80th Street, Niagara Falls Boulevard, Cayuga Drive and LaSalle Expressway was built up in the 1940s to 1960s. Cayuga Island is linked to neighborhood. The actual neighborhood where the Love Canal was to be built.
 * Little Italy – home to a once predominately Italian community that runs along Pine Avenue from Main Street to Hyde Park Boulevard
 * Love Canal – Established in the 1950s on land acquired from Hooker Chemical Company. Most of the neighborhood was evacuated in the 1980s after toxic waste was discovered underground. Resettlement began in 1990.
 * Niagara Street – residential area east of Downtown along Niagara Street (distinct from Niagara Ave.) once home to a predominately German and Polish community.
 * North End – runs along Highland Avenue in the north end of the city before it merges with Hyde Park Boulevard.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 50,193 people, 22,603 households, and 12,495 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,987.7 people per square mile (1,153.5 per square km). There were 26,220 housing units at an average density of 1,560.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 70.5% White, 21.6% African American, 1.9% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0% of the population.

There were 22,603 households, out of which 23.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.8% were married couples living together, 19.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.7% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 4.02.

In the city, 22% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.1% aged from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 28.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,800, and the median income for a family was $34,377. Males had a median income of $31,672 versus $22,124 for females. 23% of the population was below the poverty line.

Niagara Falls has a number of places of worship, including the Salvation Army, First Assembly of God Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, St. Theresa Roman Catholic Church in Deveaux, and the Reform Jewish Temple Beth El. The Conservative Jewish Temple Beth Israel closed in 2012.

Crime
Niagara Falls has struggled with high rates of violent and property crime; FBI crime data indicate that the city has among the highest crime rates in New York state. In response to gun violence, volunteer groups such as Operation SNUG mobilized to promote positive community involvement in the troubled areas of the city.

Economy
Niagara Falls' main industry is tourism, driven primarily by the waterfalls.

A 2012 profile from the Office of the New York State Comptroller reported that Niagara Falls has "struggled through decades of population losses, rising crime and repeated attempts to reinvent itself from a manufacturing town with some tourism to a major tourist destination." The city became a boomtown with the opening of the New York State Power Authority's hydroelectric Niagara Power Plant in the 1960s; the cheap electricity produced by the plant generated power for a burgeoning manufacturing industry. Along with the rest of Western New York, Niagara Falls suffered a significant economic decline from a decline in industry by the 1970s. Today, the city struggles to compete with Niagara Falls, Ontario; the Canadian side has a greater average annual income, a higher average home price, and lower levels of vacant buildings and blight, as well as a more vibrant economy and better tourism infrastructure. The population of Niagara Falls, New York fell by half from the 1960s to 2012. In contrast, the population of Niagara Falls, Ontario more than tripled. In 2000, the city's median household income was 36% below the national average. In 2012, the city's unemployment rate was significantly higher than the statewide unemployment rate.

Significant sources of economic activity in the region includes the Niagara Falls International Airport, which was renovated in 2009; the Seneca Gaming Corporation's Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, which opened in the 2000s respectively; and the nearby Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station.

In late 2001, the State of New York established the USA Niagara Development Corporation, a subsidiary to the State's economic development agency, to focus specifically on facilitating development in the downtown area. However, the organization has been criticized for making little progress and doing little to improve the city's economy.

Convention Center
From 1973 to 2002, the city had a Convention and Civic Center on 4th street. In 2002 the venue was converted into the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel. In 2004, a new Niagara Falls Convention Center (NFCC) opened on Old Falls Street. The Old Falls Street venue has 116,000 square feet for exhibitions and meetings, and a 32,200-square-foot event/exhibit hall.

Tourism
The city is home to the Niagara Falls State Park. The park has several attractions, including Cave of the Winds behind the Bridal Veil Falls, Maid of the Mist, a popular boat tour which operates at the foot of the Rainbow Bridge, Prospect Point and its observation tower, Niagara Discovery Center, Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, and the Aquarium of Niagara.

Several other attractions also near the river, including Whirlpool State Park, De Veaux Woods State Park, Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park in nearby Lewiston (town), New York, and Fort Niagara State Park in Youngstown, New York.

Attractions in the downtown include the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel and Pine Avenue which was historically home to a large Italian American population and is now known as Little Italy for its abundance of shops and quality restaurants.

Sports
The Niagara Power of the New York Collegiate Baseball League play at Sal Maglie Stadium. The team is owned by Niagara University. The Cataract City Wolverines of the Gridiron Developmental Football League are a minor league football team based in Niagara Falls. The team played their inaugural season in 2021.

In 2017, the Tier III junior North American 3 Hockey League team, the Lockport Express, relocated to Niagara Falls as the Niagara Falls PowerHawks.

Former sports teams based in Niagara Falls include the Class-A Niagara Falls Sox, the Class-A Niagara Falls Rapids, the Niagara Falls Lancers of the Midwest Football League, and the Western New York Thundersnow of the Premier Basketball League and American Basketball Association.

Government
The City of Niagara Falls functions under a strong mayor-council form of government. The government consists of a mayor, a professional city administrator, and a city council. The current mayor is Robert Restaino.

The city council serves four-year, staggered terms, except in the case of a special election. It is headed by a chairperson, who votes in all items for council action.

On a state level, Niagara Falls is part of the 145th Assembly District of New York State, represented by Republican Angelo Morinello. Niagara Falls is also part of the 62nd Senate District of New York State, represented by Republican Robert Ortt.

On a national level, the city is part of New York's 26th congressional district and is represented by Congressman Brian Higgins. In the United States Senate, the city and the state are represented by senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Founded in 1892 Niagara Falls Police Department provide local law enforcement in the city with 155 sworn officers. This force is not to be mistaken for the Town of Niagara, New York which has a smaller force founded in 1954.

Education
Residents are zoned to the Niagara Falls City School District. Niagara University and Niagara County Community College are the two colleges in Niagara County.

Media
Since Niagara Falls is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area, the city's media is predominantly served by the city of Buffalo.

The city has two local newspapers, the Niagara Gazette, which is published daily except Tuesday and The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY which is published quarterly. The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY, which is officially Niagara Falls, New York's, first black-owned and operated news publication, founded October 2018. The Messenger Of Niagara Falls, NY published its inaugural issue April 2019. The Buffalo News is the closest major newspaper in the area. The city also is the home to a weekly tabloid known as the Niagara Falls Reporter.

Three radio stations are licensed to the city of Niagara Falls, including WHLD AM 1270, WEBR AM 1440, and WTOR AM 770.

Infrastructure
Niagara Falls is primarily served by the Buffalo Niagara International Airport for regional and domestic flights within the United States. The recently expanded Niagara Falls International Airport serves the city, and many cross border travellers with flights to Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and Punta Gorda. Toronto's Pearson International Airport on the Canadian side is the closest airport offering long-haul international flights for the Niagara region.

The city is served by Amtrak's Maple Leaf and Empire train services, with regular stops at the Niagara Falls Station and Customhouse Interpretive Center at 825 Depot Ave West.

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is the public transit provider in the Buffalo metro area, with hubs at the Portage Road and Niagara Falls transportation centers.

Six New York State highways, one three-digit Interstate Highway, one expressway, one U.S. Highway, and one parkways pass through the city of Niagara Falls. New York State Route 31, New York State Route 104, and New York State Route 182 are east–west state roadways within the city, while New York State Route 61, New York State Route 265, and New York State Route 384 are north–south state roadways within the city. The LaSalle Expressway is an east–west highway which terminates near the eastern edge of Niagara Falls and begins in the nearby town of Wheatfield, New York. The Niagara Scenic Parkway is a north–south parkway that formerly ran through the city along the northern edge of the Niagara River. It remains in sections and terminates in Youngstown, New York.

Interstate 190, also referred to as the Niagara Expressway, is a north–south highway and a spur of Interstate 90 which borders the eastern end of the city. The highway enters the city from the town of Niagara and exits at the North Grand Island Bridge. U.S. Route 62, known as Niagara Falls Boulevard, Walnut Avenue, and Ferry Avenue, is signed as a north–south highway. U.S. Route 62 has an east–west orientation, and is partially split between two one-way streets within Niagara Falls. Walnut Avenue carries U.S. Route 62 west to its northern terminus at NY 104, and Ferry Avenue carries U.S. Route 62 east from downtown Niagara Falls. U.S. Route 62 Business, locally known as Pine Avenue, is an east–west route which parallels U.S. Route 62 to the south. Its western terminus is at NY 104, and its eastern terminus is at U.S. Route 62.

Two international bridges connect the city to Niagara Falls, Ontario. The Rainbow Bridge connects the two cities with passenger and pedestrian traffic and overlooks the Niagara Falls, while the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge, which formerly carried the Canadian National Railway, now serves local traffic and Amtrak's Maple Leaf service.

title: Niagara Falls, New York


text:
North Tonawanda, New York

North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border.

Tonawanda in the Seneca language means "Swift Running Water". Tonawanda Creek, which flows into the Niagara River, once had large stretches of rapids (see Rapids, New York) until it was tamed with the construction of the Erie Canal.

The city also calls itself "The Lumber City," due to its past primary industry and once was the largest port on the Great Lakes during the height of the Erie Canal. Along Goundry Street are mansions built for the lumber barons, including 208 Goundry Street, called "Kent Place", designed by Stanford White. Many of the local residents refer to the city as "The Jewel of Niagara County" due to its geographical setting between the Niagara River and Erie Canal. It is also home to the 2009 Class AA NYS Football Champion Lumberjacks. Street signs on the borders of town welcome visitors to "The Home Of The Carousel".

History
After the first settlers arrived in 1809, North Tonawanda became part of the town of Wheatfield, New York in Niagara County, from May 1836. An abortive attempt at a village containing portions in two counties and two towns from January 1854 until April 1857, it was part of the Niagara County/Town of Wheatfield component, with the other portion in Erie County and the Town of Tonawanda. The experiment was abandoned after New York State removed the village's North Tonawanda component. Oral history claims a dispute between merchants was the cause, but the combination of communities in two counties and two towns was unwieldy. After becoming a village on May 8, 1865 (still in the Town of Wheatfield, but as part of Martinsville, New York), North Tonawanda was incorporated as a City on April 24, 1897.

North Tonawanda is on the north side of the Erie Canal/Tonawanda Creek, across from Erie County, New York and the communities of the City of Tonawanda and the Town of Amherst. The Town of Wheatfield borders North Tonawanda on the north and east; the Niagara River serves as its western border, as Tonawanda Creek is its southern border. North Tonawanda is the second largest city in Niagara County, after Niagara Falls, New York.

North Tonawanda is known as "The Lumber City," because it was from the mid-19th century through the 1970s, a lumber transportation and forwarding center of significance because of the ready availability of lumber. It was the birthplace of the Herschell-Spillman Company/Allan Herschell Co., one of the leading manufacturers of carousels in America and is now the home of the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum. In 1888, Herschell attracted expatriate Belgian Eugene de Kleist to North Tonawanda, who started the North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory to produce band organs. Taken over in 1909 by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company after De Kleist became mayor of North Tonawanda in 1906, Wurlitzer became one of the largest musical instrument manufacturing plants in the world. The Ray H. Bennett Lumber Co., one of more than 150 lumber companies to have called North Tonawanda home, produced kit homes sold around the nation and Canada for 70 years. Richardson Boat, Buffalo Bolt, Durez Chemical, National Grinding Wheel, Taylor Devices, International Paper, Tonawanda Iron & Steel, Riverside Chemical, and hundreds of other successful manufacturing businesses called North Tonawanda home.

The Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier occupies a 1923 Erie Railroad station on Oliver Street. The Riviera Theater and Performing Arts Center on Webster Street, in a restored Italian Renaissance-style building, features plays, concerts, movies and other events, and its 1926 "Mighty Wurlitzer" organ is featured in monthly organ concerts. The theater is one of only a handful in the United States with projectors capable of showing nitrate film prints in common use before about 1951. The Ghostlight Theatre is a community theater in a century-old church. The former Carnegie Library is home to the Carnegie Art Center. An E. B. Green designed building houses the Buffalo Suzuki Strings Musical Arts Center. An active arts community has developed in the downtown area as well. The North Tonawanda History Museum no longer occupies the former G. C. Murphy Co. store building on Webster Street in the heart of the Downtown Historic District.

Parks in North Tonawanda include Veteran's Park, which has a monument to U.S. Seabees, one to the U.S. Marines, and is working on one to Vietnam War Veterans; Gateway Harbor Park, along the Erie Canal, the site of the annual Canal Fest in July and free concerts and other activities; the 53 acre Gratwick-Riverside Park along the Niagara River; and Pine Woods Park, Mayor's Park, and the North Tonawanda Botanical Gardens with a boat launch.

The Buffalo Norsemen played their home games in North Tonawanda during their existence.

Geography
North Tonawanda is located at 43.04111°N, -78.86889°W (43.041006, -78.868920).

The Erie Canal defines the southern and the majority of the eastern borders of the city, with the rest of the eastern border made up of Sweeney Street and Old Falls Boulevard. Niagara Falls Boulevard (US Route 62) defines the northeastern border of the city. The majority of the northern border of the city is a line that runs east-west just above Forbes Terrace, mostly paralleling Ruie Road, with the rest of the northern border being a short northwesterly line that runs from Ward Road to Witmer Road. The western edge of the city is defined by the Niagara River and a line that runs just west of and parallel to Witmer Road. Also, at the southwest corner of the city is Tonawanda Island, which is separated from the mainland by the Little River (Part of the East Branch of the Niagara River) and is part of the city.

The edge of North Tonawanda is sometimes hard to find, because the southern parts of both the Towns of Wheatfield and Pendleton use the same zip code as North Tonawanda, 14120.

Buildings
It is home to many historic mansions and an historic cemetery.

The North Tonawanda City Market, established in 1908, is the oldest farmer's market in Niagara County. It is open three days a week year round but busiest in the summer and early fall, when more than 70 area farmers sell there.

The city has a number of properties on the National Register of Historic Places.

The old Wurlitzer Organ Factory which is now leased to various light industrial, high technology, and commercial businesses.

Historic Sites
The following are the historic sites in North Tonawanda of such significance as to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 33,262 people, 13,671 households, and 8,981 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,293.2 PD/sqmi. There were 14,425 housing units at an average density of 1,428.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.86% White, 0.29% African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 13,671 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 23.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,154, and the median income for a family was $50,219. Males had a median income of $36,551 versus $25,129 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,264. 7.2% of the population and 5.4% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 9.1% are under the age of 18 and 6.1% are 65 or older.

Schools
The public schools of North Tonawanda are the North Tonawanda High School, North Tonawanda Middle School, Drake Elementary School, North Tonawanda Intermediate School, Spruce Elementary School, and Ohio Elementary School.

Essential services

 * North Tonawanda City School District
 * North Tonawanda Police Department
 * North Tonawanda Public Library
 * DeGraff Memorial Hospital, part of Kaleida Health
 * North Tonawanda Fire Department (Combination Fire Dept); The department consist of 38 full-time career firefighters and volunteer firefighters from the Columbia Hook & Ladder Co. #1, Active Hose Co. #2, Live Hose Co. #4, Rescue Fire Co. #5, Gratwick Hose Co. #6, and the Sweeney Hose Co. #7. The NTFD has five stations and 6 apparatuses: 3 engines (Engine-4, Engine-6, and Engine-7); a ladder truck (Truck-1); a light rescue (Rescue-1); and a command car (Car-10). Staffing consists of four platoons (1-4).

Notable people

 * Ted Barrett, MLB umpire
 * Rudy Bozak, notable engineer
 * Cindy Bradley, jazz trumpet player
 * Jim Britton, retired MLB pitcher
 * Rita Kogler Carver, studio designer
 * Eugene de Kleist, organ builder
 * Maryalice Demler, former Miss New York
 * Tonio di Paolo, opera singer
 * Ed Harmon, professional football player
 * Bret Hoffmann, death metal vocalist
 * Jim Hurtubise, automobile racer
 * Edward C. Kuhn, U.S. military coat of arms designer
 * William Larson, photographer
 * Robert Mangold, artist
 * George D. Maziarz, politician
 * Bernard Joseph McLaughlin, Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo Diocese
 * Hans Oldag, German-born American long-distance runner
 * Jamin Olivencia, professional wrestler
 * John Olszowka, historian
 * Robert G. Ortt, politician
 * Gladys Parker, comic strip artist
 * Lewis S. Payne, former New York State Senator
 * Roman Piskor, NFL football player
 * James Rand Jr., industrialist
 * Stan Rojek, major-league baseball player
 * Geoff Sanderson, former NHL player
 * Paul Schaus, sledge hockey gold medalist
 * Robin Schimminger, politician.
 * Don Smith, Olympic rower
 * Henry P. Smith III, politician
 * Paul Van Arsdale, hammered dulcimer player
 * Christopher J. Waild, screenwriter
 * Andy Williams, guitarist in Every Time I Die
 * Phil Fasciana (Death Metal Guitarist)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: North Tonawanda, New York


text:
Olcott, New York

Olcott is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in the Town of Newfane in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, this community population was 1,241. Most locals refer to it as Olcott Beach. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Olcott is a lakeside community which is home to the deepest harbor on Lake Ontario west of Rochester. The community is at the junction of East/West Lake Road (NYS Route 18) and Lockport-Olcott Road (NYS Route 78).

Krull Park in the northeast part of the village, is the largest county-operated park in Niagara County. Olcott-Newfane Airport (D80) is located south of the village, but is closed indefinitely except for ultralight aircraft.

Olcott was known for its Coney Island-like beach attractions and attracted tourists visiting nearby Niagara Falls. Many of these attractions have closed, however, after the decline of the City of Niagara Falls and a prolonged economic downturn which has hard hit all of Niagara County. Slowly, efforts are being made to bring back this economic prosperity that the region once saw, and so far has been a success in Olcott. Heritage tourism has become quite popular in Niagara County, and new festivals include the Olcott Pirate Festival as well as a famous car show that takes place during the summer.

In 2012, Olcott Beach won the prestigious title of Ultimate Fishing Town in a contest sponsored by The World Fishing Network (WFN). Olcott Beach enjoys a superior reputation as a world-class fishing destination by sportsmen and hobbyists alike. The U.S. prize was awarded to Olcott Beach, and the Canadian prize was awarded to Hastings, Ontario, both located by the shores of Lake Ontario.

Geography
Olcott is located at 43.33616°N, -78.71751°W.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 5.3 sqmi, of which 4.6 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi  (13.56%) is water.

Olcott is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario, where Eighteen Mile Creek enters the lake.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,156 people, 476 households, and 315 families residing in the community. The population density was 251.7 PD/sqmi. There were 553 housing units at an average density of 120.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.37% White, 1.04% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.78% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.82% of the population.

There were 476 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village the population was spread out, with 23.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.0% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 103.2 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $42,386, and the median income for a family was $52,000. Males had a median income of $36,250 versus $22,344 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $17,599. About 5.3% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Olcott, New York


text:
Pendleton, New York

Pendleton is a town on the southern edge of Niagara County, New York, United States. It is east of the city of Niagara Falls and southwest of the city of Lockport. The population was 6,397 at the 2010 census.

History
The town of Pendleton was set apart in 1827 from part of the town of Niagara. Sylvester Pendleton Clark, one of the first settlers, gave his name to several locations in the town and eventually to the town itself. Clark served in the American Revolution and became an innkeeper and postmaster.

Starpoint Central school was established in 1956. It was named Starpoint because the new school system serviced the entire area of Pendleton, parts of Cambria, Lockport, Wheatfield and Royalton. Starpoint is at the center of the 5 point star of municipalities. It is located on Mapleton Road and provides education for grades K to 12. It currently services about 5300 families over a 115 sqmi area. Expansion of the schools has taken place in recent years to accommodate an increase of school population.

Up until recently, Pendleton has been primarily an agricultural community. It now is rezoning much of its land area for residential subdivisions and business. The population of Pendleton continues to grow as more residential development takes place.

Pendleton has an all-volunteer fire company serviced by Wendelville Fire company.

In March 2010, Sir Benjamin Ruppert, Esq., of the Western New York Residency Evaluation Committee, nominated Pendleton for "Best Place to Grow Up in America."

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.4 sqmi, of which 27.2 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.95%) is water.

The south border of the town is Tonawanda Creek, which forms the border between Niagara County and Erie County. The Erie Canal passes through the eastern part of the town, where it connects to Tonawanda Creek.

Communities and locations in Pendleton

 * Beach Ridge – A hamlet by the western town line.
 * Hoffman – A hamlet on the western town line near Tonawanda Creek.
 * Mapleton – A small hamlet in the northwest corner of the town.
 * North Buffalo Suburban Airport (0G0) – A small general aviation airport on the west side of Route 78 (Transit Road) and south of Lockport. It was formerly known as "Transit Airport."
 * Pendleton – A small hamlet located by the southern town line.
 * Pendleton Center – A hamlet centrally located in the town on NY-270.
 * Wendelville – A hamlet near Tonawanda Creek on NY-270.

Adjacent cities and towns

 * Town of Wheatfield – west
 * Erie County, Town of Amherst – south
 * Town of Lockport – east
 * City of Lockport – northeast
 * Town of Cambria – north

Major highways

 * [[Image:NY-78.svg|20px]] New York State Route 78 (Transit Rd.), north–south highway that marks the east town line.
 * [[Image:NY-93.svg|20px]] New York State Route 93 (Robinson Rd.), east–west highway that borders the north corner of the town from Transit Rd. (NY 78) to the Lockport Bypass which takes NY 93 north of the town.
 * [[Image:NY-270.svg|22px]] New York State Route 270 (Campbell Blvd.), north–south highway through the town from the Amherst town line to the Cambria town line.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,050 people, 2,116 households, and 1,724 families residing in the town. The population density was 222.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,162 housing units at an average density of 79.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.5% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 2,116 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 72.4% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.5% were non-families. 14.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $60,625, and the median income for a family was $63,342. Males had a median income of $46,175 versus $33,466 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,651. About 3.9% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.

Town parks
Pendleton has three town parks.

 * Depeau Park – located on Tonawanda Creek Road North at the end of Irish and Oakwood Rds.
 * Nine Mile Island – located in Amherst but owned by Pendleton.
 * Pendleton Town Park – located in Pendleton Center. This park is located behind Pendleton Town Hall and the Pendleton Historic Society.  Baseball diamonds, picnic shelters, and a playground are also located here.  On the Fourth of July, the park hosts a popular fireworks show.

Notable people

 * Sylvester Pendleton Clark, founder of Pendleton
 * Richard Crowley, former U.S. Congressman
 * Patrick Higgins, UTEP Miners offensive coordinator
 * Walter Koppisch, former NFL player
 * Nick Langworthy, U.S. Congressman
 * Timothy McVeigh, domestic terrorist who was convicted for the Oklahoma City bombing. He attended Starpoint High School.
 * Joyce Carol Oates, famous writer who was also a resident of Pendleton.
 * Ed O'Neil, retired NFL player, current football coach

title: Pendleton, New York


text:
Porter, New York

Porter is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 6,771 at the 2010 census. The town was named after Judge Augustus Porter.

The Town of Porter lies in the northwest corner of Niagara County and is north of the City of Niagara Falls.

History
For thousands of years, the area was inhabited by various cultures of indigenous peoples. At the time of European encounter, this was the territory of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, based in present-day New York state.

Permanent European-American settlement did not take place until after the American Revolution, about 1801, after most of the Iroquois had been forced to cede their lands to New York and had emigrated across the Niagara River to Upper Canada.

The Town of Porter was created in 1812 from the Town of Cambria, but further development was hindered by the War of 1812. The United States' war with Great Britain first included an embargo of trade with Canada, disrupting the local economy. Warfare along the border continued until 1814.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.7 sqmi, of which, 33.2 sqmi of it is land and 4.5 sqmi of it (12.00%) is water.

The northern boundary of the town is Lake Ontario, and the Western boundary is the Niagara River, which is the international boundary between the United States and Canada. On that western side, the town borders the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, in Niagara Region, Ontario.

Notable people

 * Oliver Dyer, first Congressional shorthand reporter
 * William Hawley, former brigadier general

Adjacent cities and towns

 * Town of Lewiston - south
 * Town of Wilson - east
 * Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario - west
 * Lake Ontario - north

Major highways in the Town of Porter

 * [[Image:NY-18.svg|20px]] New York State Route 18 (Lake Rd., Creek Rd.), East-West Highway across the north part of town roughly paralleling Lake Ontario from Wilson town line then its orientation is in a more north–south direction as it passes Youngstown-Lockport Rd.(NY 93) as the route heads west.
 * [[Image:NY-18F.svg|22px]] New York State Route 18F (Lower River Rd., Lake Rd.), north–south roadway through the town from its northern terminus with NY 18, the route roughly parallels the rest of Lake Ontario that NY 18 doesn't as it heads west and then turns south as it passes Fort Niagara State Park, through the Village of Youngstown south out of the town into the Town of Lewiston.
 * [[Image:NY-93.svg|20px]] New York State Route 93 (Youngstown-Lockport Rd.), east–west roadway through the town from the Wilson town line on into the Village of Youngstown, where it has its western terminus at NY 18F.
 * [[Image:Niagara_Scenic_Pkwy_Shield.svg|25px]] Niagara Scenic Parkway, north–south highway through the town from the Lewiston town line north to New York State Route 18 near Lake Ontario at Four Mile Creek State Park.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,920 people, 2,616 households, and 1,935 families residing in the town. The population density was 208.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,846 housing units at an average density of 85.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.66% White, 0.48% African American, 0.77% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 2,616 households, out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.5% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $50,425, and the median income for a family was $60,373. Males had a median income of $41,985 versus $27,027 for females. The per capita income for the town was $23,951. About 2.2% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Porter

 * Blairville – A hamlet southeast of Youngstown on Creek Road (Route 18).
 * Fillmore Chapel – A hamlet in the northeast corner of the town.
 * Fort Niagara – A historic colonial fortification in Fort Niagara State Park.
 * Fort Niagara State Park – A park at the mouth of the Niagara River.
 * Four Mile Creek – A stream that flows northward through the west side of the town and enters Lake Ontario at the state park.
 * Four Mile Creek State Park – A lakeside park on the shore of Lake Ontario.
 * Porter Center – A hamlet centrally located in the town on the Youngstown-Lockport Road (Route 93).
 * Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site – An official New York historic site that includes Fort Niagara.
 * Ransomville – A hamlet in the southeast corner of the town on Route 93.
 * Ransomville Speedway – A racetrack located northwest of Ransomville.
 * Towers Corners – A hamlet by the intersection of Creek Road (Route 18) and the Youngstown-Lockport Road (Route 93), in the northeast part of the town.
 * Youngstown – The Village of Youngstown is at the town's western border.

title: Porter, New York


text:
Ransomville, New York

Ransomville is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in the Town of Porter in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 1,419 at the 2010 census. Portions of the hamlet are also in Town of Wilson and Town of Cambria. Ransomville is north of the City of Niagara Falls and is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Ransomville is in the southeast corner of the town on the Youngstown-Lockport Road (New York State Route 93).

Geography
Ransomville is located at 43.23694°N, -78.91528°W (43.236955, -78.915327).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.2 sqmi, all land.

Founding
The town of Ransomville was established in 1842 by the Ransom and Curtiss families and was named after William Henry Harrison Ransom. The Curtiss family, led by brothers Gideon and Capt. Gilbert Curtiss, were the first to settle in the area in the 1820s, establishing the early links with neighboring towns.

The son of immigrants from Sullivan County in the Hudson River Valley, W.H.H. Ransom arrived in Niagara County in 1839 and built a farm that he worked with his wife, Elisa Estes Ransom. In 1846, Ransom purchased a general store from his uncle, Jehiel Ransom, who had been in Niagara County since 1826 and served as postmaster. Ransom had 13 children and died at the age of 74 in Ransomville on December 29, 1889.

Development
Ransomville was established as a farming community, but some of the earliest businesses were the log taverns built by Gideon Curtiss, the first of which was erected in 1817 and the second in 1825. A cemetery was laid out by 1821. In 1840 the Ransomville House was built as a larger, more refined building. In addition to the hotel, an 1860 map of the village lists two doctors and two blacksmiths, as well as a bootmaker, carriage maker, harness maker, grocer, lumber mill and general merchandise store.

Early settlers from the Curtiss family cleared and laid down the roads from Ransomville to Youngstown to the West (NY 93), along the ridge to the South (NY 104) and Lake Ontario to the North (CR 17). In 1876, The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad took over the Lake Ontario Shore Railroad and extended track, connecting Ransomville with Lewiston to the West and Syracuse to the East. This was later incorporated into the New York Central Railroad. A year later, Gilbert Curtiss built the Excelsior Elevator across from the rail depot. The Curtisses' agricultural business would grow to include a poultry farm that was considered the largest in the nation by the early 20th century.

In the 20th century, the town's claim to poultry fame faded with the development of new techniques and the opening of larger facilities. In 1924, the Volunteer Fire Company was formed with 24 charter members and Dr. John C. Plain as its President. A first fire hall was built in 1925 and then replaced by the current facility in 1960. Original equipment included a motorized chemical pumper rig, which replaced the hand-drawn cart. In 1933, Harold Bass opened the Bass Ford Dealership, which was soon joined by Richard Coulter's Chevrolet dealership. In 1954, Ed Ortiz and his brother opened the Ransomville Speedway for dirt track racing. The brothers moved the track outside of town to its current location in 1958.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,488 people, 488 households, and 386 families residing in the hamlet. The population density was 240.0 PD/sqmi. There were 504 housing units at an average density of 81.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the community was 97.04% White, 1.08% African American, 1.21% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 488 households, out of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.3% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.7% were non-families. 17.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 24.5% under the age of 18, 9.3% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,000, and the median income for a family was $53,239. Males had a median income of $30,833 versus $25,227 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $22,063. None of the families and 2.8% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 3.4% of those over 64.

The hamlet is served by the Ransomville Volunteer Fire Company with their station located on NY Route 93 Youngstown-Lockport Road. The Upper Mountain Fire Company of Lewiston, New York provides Advanced Life Support services to Ransomville.

Religion
Despite its small size there are numerous places of worship in Ransomville. These include Ransomville Free Methodist Church, Ransomville United Methodist Church, Fillmore Chapel, Ransomville Baptist Church and Church of the Immaculate Conception.

Notable people

 * Willis W. Bradley, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Chuck Hossfeld, NASCAR driver
 * Charlie Rudolph, NASCAR driver
 * Steve Geltz, Major League Baseball Pitcher
 * George Smith, an accused murderer shot by townsfolk in 1896
 * Steve Lewis Jr., racing driver

title: Ransomville, New York


text:
Rapids, New York

Rapids is a hamlet (also a census-designated place) located in the Town of Lockport in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 1,636 at the 2010 census. The ZIP code for Rapids is 14094.

Rapids is located on the south edge of both the town and the county so that a small part of the community is in the Town of Clarence in Erie County. The hamlet lies at the junction of Tonawanda Creek Road, Rapids Road, and Goodrich Road. The community consists of a fire hall, a church, a few businesses, and many residences, primarily in Niagara County. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
Rapids is located at 43.10139°N, -78.64111°W (43.101324, -78.641134). The community is on the north side of the Tonawanda Creek, which forms the boundary between Niagara and Erie County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.7 sqmi, all land.

Tonawanda Creek flows through the community.

Demographics
According to the census of 2000, there were 1,356 people, 538 households, and 373 families residing in the village. The population density was 369.8 PD/sqmi. There were 582 housing units at an average density of 158.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 97.57% White, 1.25% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.22% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race comprised 0.44% of the population.

There were 538 households, out of which 35.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 36.4% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.8 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $38,813, and the median income for a family was $42,067. Males had a median income of $35,859 versus $24,844 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $19,485. About 6.5% of families and 7.0% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 8.3% of those under age of 18 and none of those aged 65 or over.

title: Rapids, New York


text:
Royalton, New York

Royalton is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 7,660 at the 2010 census.

The Town of Royalton is in the southeast corner of the county and is east of the City of Niagara Falls.

History
The Town of Royalton was formed in 1817 from part of the Town of Hartland. The source of the town name is not currently known.

Notable people

 * Michael Huskey, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Belva Ann Lockwood, teacher, attorney, feminist
 * Peter P. Murphy, former New York State Senator
 * George F. Thompson, former New York State Senator
 * Charles G. Williams, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 70.1 sqmi, of which 69.8 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi  (0.37%) is water.

The south border of the town is Tonawanda Creek. The Erie Canal runs through the northern part of the town and the Village of Middleport.

Adjacent cities and towns

 * Town of Lockport - west
 * Erie County, Town of Clarence - southwest
 * Erie County, Town of Newstead - south
 * Orleans County - east
 * Town of Hartland - north

Major highways in the Town of Royalton

 * [[Image:NY-31.svg|20px]] New York State Route 31 (Rochester Rd., Telegraph Rd.), East-West Highway through the north part of town that roughly parallels the Erie Canal from the Lockport town line through Middleport on to Orleans County.
 * [[Image:NY-77.svg|20px]] New York State Route 77 (Chesnut Ridge Rd., Lewiston Rd.), North-South roadway from the Town of Lockport through the town into the Tonawanda State Wildlife Management Area and on into Orleans County.
 * [[Image:NY-93.svg|20px]] New York State Route 93 (Akron Rd., Dysinger Rd.) East-West roadway from the Lockport town line, through the town. The route then travels southeast on its east course into the Town of Newstead crossing over Tonawanda Creek on its way to Akron.
 * [[Image:NY-271.svg|22px]] New York State Route 271 (Main St.(Middleport)) North-South roadway from the Town of Hartland to its southern end at Telegraph Rd. (NY 31) in Middleport, in northern Hartland.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,710 people, 2,810 households, and 2,121 families residing in the town. The population density was 110.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,993 housing units at an average density of 42.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.17% White, 0.64% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 2,810 households, out of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.7% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 20.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $43,516, and the median income for a family was $48,375. Males had a median income of $35,217 versus $24,293 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,049. About 4.5% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Royalton

 * Dysinger – A hamlet on Route 93.
 * Gasport – A hamlet on the Erie Canal and Route 31 (Rochester Road).
 * Gilberts Corners – A hamlet on Route 77.
 * Leslie – A hamlet on Tonawanda Creek Road and Rapids Road.
 * McNalls Corners – A hamlet on NY-77 west of Royalton Center.
 * Middleport – The Village of Middleport is in the northeast corner of the town.
 * Orangeport – A hamlet on the Erie Canal and west of Gasport on NY-31.
 * Reynales Basin – A location on the Erie Canal east of Gasport.
 * Royalton Airport (9G5) – A small general aviation airport south of Gasport.
 * Royalton Center – A hamlet on NY-77 (Chesnut Ridge Road) and Royalton Center Road. The community was originally called "Carringtons Corners."
 * Royalton Ravine County Park – A park south of Gasport.
 * Terrys Corners – A small hamlet on NY-77 (Chesnut Ridge Road) near the western town line.
 * Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area – Part of this conservation area is in the southeast part of the town.
 * Tonawanda Reservation – An uninhabited part of the reservation is in the town,
 * Wolcottsville – A hamlet in the southeast part of the town

title: Royalton, New York


text:
Somerset, New York

Somerset is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 2,662 at the 2010 census. The town is believed to be named after Somerset, New Jersey, the source of some early settlers.

The Town of Somerset is in the northeast corner of the county and is northeast of the City of Niagara Falls.

History
The Town of Somerset was established in 1823 from a section of the Town of Hartland. Part of Somerset was used later to form the Town of Newfane.

The Thirty Mile Point Light is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 37.2 sqmi, of which 37.2 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi  (0.19%) is water.

Somerset borders Lake Ontario on the north and Orleans County, New York on the east.

Adjacent cities and towns

 * Town of Hartland - south
 * Town of Newfane - west
 * Orleans County, Town of Ridgeway - east
 * Lake Ontario - north

Major highways in the Town of Somerset

 * [[Image:NY-18.svg|20px]] New York State Route 18 (Lake Rd.), East-West Highway across the north part of town paralleling Lake Ontario from a distance.
 * [[Image:NY-148.svg|22px]] New York State Route 148 (Quaker Rd.), North-South roadway through the town from the Hartland town line to its northern terminus at Lake Rd. (NY 18) just north of Barker.
 * [[Image:NY-269.svg|22px]] New York State Route 269 (County Line Rd.), North-South roadway that makes up the eastern town line, as well as the Niagara-Orleans County Line. This roadway runs from its northern end at Lake Rd. (NY 18) south to the Hartland town line.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,865 people, 1,000 households, and 786 families residing in the town. The population density was 77.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,132 housing units at an average density of 30.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.07% White, 0.73% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.45% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 1,000 households, out of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.1% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $44,216, and the median income for a family was $49,583. Males had a median income of $39,583 versus $20,508 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,792. About 8.2% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Somerset

 * Barker – The Village of Barker, centrally located in the town.
 * County Line – A hamlet on the east town line by Routes NY-18 and NY-269. The community is shared with Orleans County, New York.
 * Golden Hill State Park – A state park on the shore of Lake Ontario in the northeast part of the town.
 * Kintigh Generating Station – A power generating station on Lake Ontario northwest of Barker.
 * Millers – A hamlet by the eastern town line at NY-269, shared with the town of Yates in Orleans County.
 * Somerset – A hamlet north of Barker on Lake Road (NY-18) and Quaker Road (NY-148).
 * South Somerset – A hamlet at Somerset Road and Town Line Road.
 * West Somerset – A hamlet west of Barker on West Somerset Road at Hosmer Road.

Adjacent towns and areas
The northern border is Lake Ontario with Canada on the opposite shore. The eastern border is the Town of Yates in Orleans County. The south border is the Town of Hartland, and the west border is the Town of Newfane.

title: Somerset, New York


text:
South Lockport, New York

South Lockport is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in the Town of Lockport in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 8,234 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

South Lockport is south of the City of Lockport on New York State Route 78.

Geography
South Lockport is located at 43.13417°N, -78.68611°W (43.134057, -78.686132).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the region has a total area of 5.8 sqmi, of which 5.8 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi  (0.35%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,552 people, 3,544 households, and 2,317 families residing in the community. The population density was 1,488.4 PD/sqmi. There were 3,816 housing units at an average density of 664.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 91.36% White, 4.89% African American, 0.48% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.77% of the population.

There were 3,544 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 29.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the community, the population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.5 males.

The median income for a household in the region was $36,410, and the median income for a family was $45,370. Males had a median income of $34,840 versus $24,162 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $18,945. About 11.0% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Most of the CDP is in the Lockport City School District, while a portion is in the Starpoint Central School District.

title: South Lockport, New York


text:
Wheatfield, New York

Wheatfield is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 18,117 at the 2010 census. The name stems from the agricultural use of the town lands, the growing of wheat.

The Town of Wheatfield is east of Niagara Falls International Airport.

History
The Town of Wheatfield was formed in 1836 from the Town of Niagara. It is situated in the southwest part of the county, surrounded by the towns of Lewiston and Cambria to the north, Pendleton to the east, the City of North Tonawanda and the Niagara River to the south, and the City of Niagara Falls and Town of Niagara to the west.

The earliest known settler on the site of present-day Martinsville in North Tonawanda was George N. Burger, who came in 1809, built a log tavern on the river, and remained a resident until about 1825. Joshua Pettit came in 1810 and settled near the Niagara Iron Works, where he opened a tavern. He was the father of Mrs. Daniel C. Jacobs and Mrs. Whitman Jacobs. Stephen Jacobs, a soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill, located on the river two miles (3 km) below in 1817, where he purchased 196 acre of Augustus Porter, paying eight dollars an acre. He died in Niagara Falls in January 1840. William Vandervoorte settled here in 1825, occupying a log house which tradition says was the only one then in existence.

It was his intention to make a business of purchasing staves and timber for the Boston market, and ultimately to open a mercantile business. In 1828, he finished the first public house in the place, which was called the Niagara; it was burned in 1844. Later he purchased 1,000 acre of land of the Holland Company and sold to Prussian immigrants the largest part of their possessions on Tonawanda Creek and its vicinity. He established the first bank in 1836. As before indicated, little progress of a business nature was made here until the opening of the Erie Canal. The interior of the town was still almost an unbroken wilderness and, as late as 1850, a large part of the area of the town was unimproved.

The first town meeting was held on June 6, 1836, in the schoolhouse of District No. 7, on the north line of the town. The soil of the town, clay loam, is very good for wheat crops in particular, and leads to the origin of the name Wheatfield.

Starting in 1843, German immigrants in the region established the communities of Bergholz (called at first "Neu Bergholz" and named for an existing village in the Ukermark region of eastern Germany), St. Johnsburg (originally known as "Little Bergholz"), Walmore (first known as "Walmow" and originally acquired from a Mennonite community), Martinsville, and Gratwick. The latter two towns are now part of North Tonawanda. Later, other communities were formed at railroad stops and along major highways.

In the 1920s, the River Road section of the Town became a prosperous farm area, including the showplace "Wheatfield Farms". Vacation cottages, beaches, an amusement park, and nightclubs were all constructed along the river. Permanent housing has since replaced most of these, but some remnants are still visible along River Road.

During World War II, industries located in the Town. The largest was Bell Aircraft (later Bell Aerospace) founded by Larry Bell which produced, for example, the World War II fighter plane, P-39 Airacobra. One Russian-leased example of this aircraft is on display at the Niagara Aerospace Museum. 10% of all aircraft production by the United States was produced in Western New York and by Bell in particular. Later, the company made products for the aerospace industry. This included aspects of the Apollo Program such as the Apollo Lunar Module propulsion system. With the closure of the facility in 1990, the vast plant was repurposed as a mixed-business complex, including a branch of the Lockheed Martin company.

During the postwar period, other industries and businesses were established in the town, including those serving the tourist trade such as motels and restaurants. The largest included Carborundum, Demler Cider Mill, Sawyer Creek Hotel, Loblaws grocery stores, assorted businesses and light manufacturing industries along Liberty Drive, and Thiele's dairy and bakery (defunct as of 1989), and plant nursery/agricultural supply company, which still exists to this day. The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is a major employer of the Town and of Niagara County, as is the Summit Medical Campus (in association with the Memorial Medical Center in Niagara Falls) which hosts the Summit Family Health Center among other specialist outlets.

Growth and prosperity in the town continued, as families migrated from nearby communities creating new neighborhoods. During this period, Summit Park Mall was built, opening in 1972 to serve the people of Wheatfield and nearby communities. The property closed as a mall by 2008 and is being redeveloped.

The largest spurt of growth in the town began in the 1980s and still continues today with many new housing developments emerging and new industrial and business parks being built. The population of the town now exceeds 18,000, which classifies it as a town of the first class, according to standard municipal classifications.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 28.6 sqmi, of which 27.9 sqmi is land and 0.7 sqmi 2.41% is water.

The Niagara River is part of the western border of the town.

Adjacent cities and towns

 * City of North Tonawanda - south
 * City of Niagara Falls - west
 * Town of Niagara - west
 * Town of Lewiston - northwest
 * Town of Cambria - northeast
 * Town of Pendleton - east
 * Erie County, Town of Amherst - southeast
 * Erie County, Town of Grand Island - southwest

Major highways in the Town of Wheatfield

 * [[Image:US 62.svg|20px]] U.S. Route 62 (Niagara Falls Blvd.), North-South highway that crosses the town from Amherst town line to Niagara Falls city line.
 * [[Image:NY-265.svg|22px]] [[Image:NY-384.svg|22px]] New York State Route 265 / New York State Route 384 (River Rd.), North-South highway through west part of town that parallels the Niagara River with both New York Routes NY 265 and NY 384; from the Niagara Falls city line to the North Tonawanda city line.
 * [[Image:NY-425.svg|22px]] New York State Route 425 (Shawnee Rd.), North-South roadway through the town from North Tonawanda city line to Cambria town line.
 * [[Image:NY-429.svg|22px]] New York State Route 429 (Ward Rd.), North-South roadway through the town from the North Tonawanda city line to the Lewiston town line.

Demographics
Wheatfield is within the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town's current population is 18,117.

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,086 people, 5,305 households, and 3,893 families residing in the town. The population density was 504.6 PD/sqmi. There were 5,555 housing units at an average density of 199.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.44% White, 0.99% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 5,305 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.6% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,700, and the median income for a family was $61,315. Males had a median income of $42,076 versus $27,233 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,184. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.

Public safety
The Town of Wheatfield has five volunteer fire companies. Those five departments are; Adams Fire Company, Bergholz Volunteer Fire Company, Frontier Volunteer Fire Company, Shawnee Volunteer Fire Company, and St. Johnsburg Fire Company.

The town has a volunteer ambulance corps, called Tri-Community Ambulance Service. Tri-Community Ambulance Service was established in 1956, and has three Advanced Life Support ambulances and one Advanced Life Support Rapid Response Vehicle.

The Town of Wheatfield has a Constable Department whose members are sworn Peace Officers under Article 2.10 of the New York State Criminal Procedure Law.

Education
There are six public schools and four private schools in Wheatfield, including St. Peter's Lutheran Church and School & St. John Lutheran School.

Notable people

 * John Wayne Bobbitt, graduated from Niagara Wheatfield Senior High School in 1985.
 * Adam Clendening, NHL hockey player, Although born in Niagara Falls, New York Clendening was raised in Wheatfield.
 * Lewis S. Payne, businessman, Town Supervisor, later New York State Senator (R), and decorated Colonel in the Union Army in the American Civil War.

Communities and locations in Wheatfield

 * Bergholz – A hamlet in the northwestern part of the town near the airport.
 * Hoffman – A location on the eastern border of the town.
 * Nashville – A location on US-62 in the southeast part of the town.
 * Niagara Falls International Airport (IAG) – Part of the airport is in the northern part of the town.
 * Sawyer – A hamlet on US-62 adjacent to the City of North Tonawanda.
 * Shawnee – A hamlet on US-62 (Niagara Falls Boulevard).
 * St. Johnsburg – A hamlet on US-62 near the center of the town.
 * Walmore – A hamlet in the northwest part of the town on Lockport Road.

Former hamlets of Wheatfield

 * Martinsville (1836-1896). A hamlet that was later incorporated into the City of North Tonawanda.

title: Wheatfield, New York


text:
Youngstown, New York

Youngstown is a village in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 1,935 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Youngstown is on the western edge of the town of Porter and is at the international border with Canada, at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. It is north of the city of Niagara Falls.

History
The village's early growth was under the protection of Fort Niagara. The village was destroyed by the British in 1813 during the War of 1812. The Village of Youngstown was incorporated in 1854, named after John Young.

Youngstown is an historic village located at the northwestern corner of the state where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. In an area known to the Indians for hundreds of years, the French explorer La Salle left his mark by building a small fort in 1670, less than a mile north of where the village now stands. The French gained control of the Great Lakes area and by 1727 built the "Castle" which became the centerpiece of Old Fort Niagara.

John Young, who lived across the river, saw opportunities on this side and built a store on the landing area in 1809. In 1811, he bought Lots 1 and 2 of the Mile Reserve. These included all the property from what is now the north side of Falkner Park and as far south as Campbell Street and from the river eastward to what is now the Niagara Scenic Parkway.

Young sold the Falkner Park area to Robert Greensit in March 1812 before the war started between the U.S. and England. By that time, a number of log cabins had been built to provide shelter for the skilled tradesmen and storekeepers who were attracted to the area by the Fort which needed many supplies and services.

In 1813, American forces captured Fort George across the river. At Christmas time, they retreated to the American side after burning the Village of Newark, Ontario (now Niagara-On-The-Lake). In retaliation, British and Indians captured Fort Niagara and burned most of the buildings and homes south of it to what is now Buffalo.

Rebuilding gradually took place and by the 1840s the village was well established with many fine homes and stores. The moderate climate, the excellent fishing, accessibility by lake boats and proximity to Canada all played a part in Youngstown's growth. The soil proved invaluable for fruit culture which attracted many farmers. This led to the development of industries such as barrel making, fruit packing and storage, the drying of apples and making of cider and vinegar. Carpenters, blacksmiths and other tradesmen were needed as lumber and shipbuilding businesses were important for many years.

Many changes have come about through the years: concrete sidewalks replaced those made of wood. The dirt and stone road to Lewiston became a safe paved highway; the fire company grew from a man-pulled hose cart into a fully equipped fire department and water and sewer systems were installed throughout the village. The handling of mail began in Judge Hinman's home and was finally delivered house to house in 1959.

Three railroads were built to the village. Two failed immediately in the 1850s, but the electric line carried supplies to the village and fort as well as bringing thousands of people to the old beach amusement park.

The following are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Fort Niagara Light, John Carter Farmstead, St. John's Episcopal Church, and the Old Fort Niagara-Colonial Niagara Historic District.

Old Fort Niagara
Old Fort Niagara is a National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site that welcomes more than 100,000 visitors every year. It offers a collection of original military architecture and fortifications from the 18th century and the 19th century, as well as living history events and programs, historical exhibits and collections, archaeology, and education.

The history of Old Fort Niagara spans more than 300 years. During the colonial wars in North America a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River was vital, for it controlled access to the Great Lakes and the westward route to the heartland of the continent. With the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825, however, the strategic value of Fort Niagara diminished. It nonetheless remained an active military post well into the 20th century.

The three flags flown daily above the parade ground symbolize the nations which have held Fort Niagara. Each competed for the support of a fourth nation; the powerful Iroquois Confederacy. The French established the first post here, Fort Conti, in 1679. Its successor, Fort Denonville (1687–88) was equally short lived. In 1726 France finally erected a permanent fortification with the construction of the impressive "French Castle." Britain gained control of Fort Niagara in 1759, during the French & Indian War, after a nineteen-day siege. The British held the post throughout the American Revolution but were forced, by treaty, to yield it to the United States in 1796. Fort Niagara was recaptured by the British in 1813. It was ceded to the United States a second time in 1815 at the end of the War of 1812.

Notable people

 * Micheal Barrett, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps 2011–2015
 * Dave Clawson, head coach of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons college football team.
 * Sid Jamieson, longtime Bucknell University lacrosse coach
 * Daryl Johnston, former Dallas Cowboys NFL player, (Ret.).
 * Gary Schiff, City Councilman in Minneapolis, Minnesota
 * Kevin Sylvester, Author, Broadcaster

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.4 sqmi, of which 1.2 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi  (17.14%) is water.

New York State Route 18F (Lower River Road) parallels the Niagara River through the village and intersects Lockport Street (NY 93).

New York State Route 93 (Lockport St. in the village, western terminus at NY 18F in the village).

Adjacent areas
The village is on the east bank of the Niagara River and is north of the city of Niagara Falls and the town of Lewiston. Youngstown is west of the Niagara Scenic Parkway and at the western end of the Youngstown-Lockport Road (NY-93). The village is entirely within the town of Porter. Across the Niagara River is the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, located within the Niagara Region.

Toronto is directly across Lake Ontario to the north. Day or night, under clear conditions, the Toronto skyline is visible to the naked eye from Old Fort Niagara State Park.

Climate
Northwestern Niagara County has a hot summer humid continental climate (Dfa), bordering closely on a humid subtropical climate (Cfa -3), with the temperature in January and February averaging about 27 F.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,957 people, 809 households, and 564 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,687.5 PD/sqmi. There were 863 housing units at an average density of 744.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 98.42% White, 1.07% Native American, 0.05% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 809 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 25.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,333, and the median income for a family was $60,089. Males had a median income of $47,063 versus $23,333 for females. The per capita income for the village was $23,705. About 3.0% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Youngstown, New York


text:
Annsville, New York

Annsville is a town in Oneida County, New York, United States. At the 2010 census the town population was 3,012. The town is named after Ann Bloomfield, wife of a founder.

The Town of Annsville is in the northwestern part of the county.

History
Annsville was settled in April 1793 when John W. Bloomfield moved from Burlington, New Jersey to what is now the hamlet of Taberg, and erected a saw mill and a grist mill.

Land
Annsville's territory is land first acquired by John and Nicholas Roosevelt in 1791 from the New York State Land Commission. This patent was for 530,000 acres situated in present Oswego and Oneida counties. Approximately 499,000 acres of the Roosevelt Tract became Scriba’s Patent in 1793 as partial payment of debts owed to the Scriba Bank by the Roosevelts. The land was divided into Townships at this time. Annsville contains portions of towns 1,2,3, and 8.

Early Settlers
Early settlers of the northern part of the town include Benjamin, Jonathan, James, and Abraham Morton (brothers) who arrived from Springfield, Massachusetts in June 1803. Daniel Miller arrived from Granville, Massachusetts in 1804. Jonathan and Samuel Stanford arrived in 1805, and Peter Abbott, revolutionary war veteran, from Windham, Vermont in 1806.

Also arriving in 1806 was Elias Brewster, who moved from the nearby town of Western, having arrived there from Connecticut in 1790. Other settlers to the town were Adam P. Campbell, Nicholas Armstrong, and Dan Taft.

Commerce
In addition to farming, much of the early economic activity was related to lumber, made possible by the abundance of trees and the water power of streams to run saw mills. Lumber and various lumber products were manufactured in large quantity. Pig iron was produced by the Oneida Iron and Glass Manufacturing Company from around 1811.

The railroad reached Annsville with the construction of the Watertown & Rome Railroad, later the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad, with a station near the hamlet of Taberg in the 1840s.

Civic Formation
The town was formed on April 12, 1823, from land taken from Lee, Florence, Camden and Vienna. The town was named after Ann Bloomfield, wife of John W. Bloomfield. The first town meeting was held on March 2, 1824. The following positions were filled: Town supervisor, Town Clerk, Assessors (3), Commissioner of Highways (3), Overseers of the Poor (2), Collector, Commissioners of Schools (3), Inspectors of Schools (3), Constables (3), Poundmasters (2).

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 60.5 sqmi, of which 60.2 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.48%) is water.

The northern town line is the border of Lewis County, directly northwest of the town of Taberg.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,956 people, 1,061 households, and 790 families residing in the town. The population density was 49.1 PD/sqmi. There were 1,144 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.75% White, 2.33% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.07% Asian, 0.10% from other races, and 0.51% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 1,061 households, out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.5% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.8% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,804, and the median income for a family was $42,841. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,541 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,012. About 8.7% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Annsville

 * Blennes Corner – A location in the southwestern part of the town.
 * Blossvale – A hamlet near the southern town line, named after the Bloss family, who were early settlers of the area. A former railway station was located here
 * Bowman Hill – An elevation located northeast of Taberg.
 * Corkin Hill – An elevation located north of Pond Hill. Partially in the Town of Florence.
 * Finn Hill – An elevation located north of Taberg.
 * Glenmore – A hamlet in the south central part of the town.
 * McConnellsville – Home to Harden Furniture Co. one of the largest employers in town.
 * Pond Hill – The area surrounding "Mack Pond", west of Taberg on Route 69.
 * Taberg – A hamlet in the southeastern part of the town on Route 69.

State Forests
The following New York State Forests are located wholly or partially in Annsville:
 * Cobb Brook State Forest
 * Fall Brook State Forest
 * Fish Creek State Forest
 * Furnace Creek State Forest

Notable person

 * Calvin Kingsley, (1812–1870), born in Annsville, became a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Notable event
On the night of April 14, 1907, a two engine, sixty-car freight train derailed, killing one fireman. See Blossvale crash of 1907.

title: Annsville, New York


text:
Augusta, New York

Augusta is a town in Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 2,021 at the 2020 census.

The Town of Augusta is in the southwestern part of Oneida County.

History
Augusta was settled in 1793 by a man named Gunn, whose son, Peter Smith Gunn, was the first child born in the town.

Other early settlers
Gunn was followed by Benjamin Warren, David Morton, and John Alden. On August 17, 1793, Ichabod Stafford, and Joseph and Abraham Forbes arrived bringing the population to 23. Other settlers arriving in 1794 and 1795 were Isaac and Benjamin Allen, Amos Parker, a Revolutionary War veteran, James Cassety, Frances O'Toole, Ozias Hart, Abel Prior, Thomas Spafford, Ezra Saxton, Abiel Lindsley, and J. Reynolds.

1796 brought Abraham and Alexander Holmes, Oliver Bartholomew, Deacon Philip Pond, William Martin, Stephen Crosby, Archibald and John Manchester, Robert Worden, and John Goodhue.

Several families arrived in 1797, all from Washington, Connecticut. These were Robert Durkee, Newton Smith, Joseph Hurd, Sheldon Parmalee, Benhamin and Joseph Durkee, and David Curtis.

Andrew McMillan arrived from North Conway, New Hampshire, in 1798. McMillan's son, also named Andrew McMillan, became superintendent of the Utica Schools. The first merchant, named Adams, opened in 1798.

Josiah Cook came from Otis, Massachusetts, in 1799. The area in which he settled was called "Cook's Corners". Several other settlers arrived from an adjacent town, Blandford including Abner Ranney, Elisha Shepard, and many belonging to the Knox family. Cook's Corners was later renamed Knox's Corners then Knoxboro.

Another early settler was Charles Putnam, from Stonington, Connecticut, having first lived in Clinton for two years. He is also a Revolutionary War veteran and is credited with building the first timber frame barn in the town, built of black ash.

Land
The town is made up of land of:
 * the Peter Smith tract (later called the New Petersburgh Patent), an Indian lease of 60,000 acres in 1794. Smith sub-divided his tract and leased the land to settlers.
 * part of the approximately 4,000 acre Stockbridge Indian reservation (later called the Stockbridge Patent)
 * a small portion of the "Chenango Twenty Towns" (or the "Governor's Purchase"), purchased via treaty from the Six Nations in 1788
 * a portion of the "Oneida Reservation", a tract sold by the Oneida Indians to New York State in 1795 and auctioned by the state in 1797.

Civic formation
The first attempt to organize the town was in 1797. A bill was considered in the New York State Legislature and passed the Assembly, but failed in the Senate because Senator Samuel Jones noted that town officers must be freeholders and many of the prospective town officials were lessees of Peter Smith's land. Organization was successful the next year and Augusta was created as a town simultaneously with the creation of Oneida County on March 15, 1798. It was created from part of the town of Whitestown.

The first town meeting was held on April 3, 1798. The following positions were filled: Town supervisor, Town Clerk, Assessors (4), Commissioner of Highways (3), Overseers of the Poor (2), Constable and Collector, Inspectors of Schools (3), Fence viewers (3).

Part of the town was taken to form part of the new town of Vernon on February 17, 1802.

Name
The act that created the town specified it would be called Augusta to honor General Augustus Van Horn. This was arranged by Thomas Cassety, son of James Cassety and a Colonel in the militia, in exchange for a new military hat from Van Horn.

Commerce
James Cassety built a saw mill in 1794 and the first grist-mill in 1796, which was destroyed by flooding around 1807. A second mill was built by David Currie and had an adjacent saw-mill, both powered by the water of Oriskany Creek. A tannery and currier was built by Aaron Burley in 1816. The building was subsequently used as a grist-mill, distillery, and later a wool factory. A hotel was built around 1836 by John Stebbins. A foundry and machine-shop was built in 1853 that manufactured various machines and implements. A later grist-mill was built by Martin Miller in 1861–62. A yarn factory was built in 1865.

A plank road was constructed through Oriskany Falls connecting Deansville (now Deansboro) and Hamilton in June 1848 by the Hamilton and Deansville Plank Road Company. It was abandoned in 1874.

A plank road was constructed through Augusta connecting Rome and Madison by the Rome and Madison Plank Road Company in April 1850.

The Chenango Canal, connecting the Erie Canal in Utica with the Susquehanna River at Binghamton was constructed from July 1834 to October 1836 and passed through a corner of Augusta. It was an important means of transporting coal from Pennsylvania but ceased operation in 1878 and was abandoned after rail transport became dominate.

The railroad reached Augusta in the late 1860s with the construction of the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Railroad with a station in the Oriskany Falls, a village in southeast Augusta, on the line from Utica to the New York, Ontario and Western Railway.

The economy of the town was largely based upon agriculture, the small industry centered around the village of Oriskany Falls, and the quarrying of lime and limestone which was in abundant supply and exported around the country.

Assemblymen from Augusta
The following people from Augusta represented Oneida County in the New York State Assembly.

 * David I. Ambler - 40th New York State Legislature, 1816–17
 * Winthrop H. Chandler - 50th New York State Legislature, 1827
 * Riley Shepard - 54th New York State Legislature, 1831 and 58th New York State Legislature, 1835
 * David Murray - 66th New York State Legislature, 1843

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 27.7 sqmi, all land.

The southern and western town lines form the border with Madison County.

Historic places
The following is listed on the National Register of Historic Places:

 * First Congregational Free Church

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,966 people, 744 households, and 532 families residing in the town. The population density was 70.9 PD/sqmi. There were 812 housing units at an average density of 29.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.31% African American, 0.76% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 744 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.4% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,274, and the median income for a family was $41,302. Males had a median income of $28,977 versus $23,063 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,367. About 5.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.2% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Augusta

 * Augusta – The hamlet of Augusta on NY 26.
 * Five Corners – A location northeast of Augusta.
 * Knoxboro – A hamlet northwest of Augusta.
 * Lloyds Corners – A location south of Augusta.
 * Lyons Mills – A hamlet west of Oriskany Falls.
 * Newell Corners – A location west of Lloyds Corners.
 * Oriskany Falls – The Village of Oriskany Falls is by the southeastern corner of the town.
 * Prospect Hill – An elevation located west of Lloyds Corners.
 * Wells Corners – A hamlet in the northeastern part of the town.

Notable people

 * John Jay Knox, (1828–1892), born in Augusta, financier and the United States Comptroller of the Currency.
 * Ella Farman Pratt, (1837-1907), born in Augusta, editor and writer.
 * Perry H. Smith, (1828-1885), born in Augusta, businessman and politician

title: Augusta, New York