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Wellsville Town, NY

Frequently asked questions

Wellsville, NY

Wellsville is a town and largest community in Allegany County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 7,099. Wellsville is centrally located in the south half of the county, 8 miles (13 km) north of the Pennsylvania border. Wellsville is also the name of the main village within this town. The village and the town have two separate, paid governments. Alfred State College maintains a branch campus in the town, with the main campus in Alfred 7 miles (11 km) east.

Wellsville was the location of encampments for thousands of years, including the Lamoka and Brewerton cultures. The latest native people, the Seneca, named Wellsville Gistaguat, according to a map produced in 1771 by Guy Johnson, as the official map of New York state at the time, for then-Governor William Tryon. The Seneca referred to the Wellsville area as "the Pigeon Woods" and held annual festivals and encampments there to take advantage of the passenger pigeon (see memoirs of Captain Horatio Jones). At the time, passenger pigeons filled the skies by the millions, and the tribes and bands came to the Wellsville area from all over western New York and northern Pennsylvania to Gistaquat to harvest the pigeons by the thousands.

Wellsville was named after a man named Gardiner Wells, who was, according to local history, the one person who didn't show up for the meeting when the residents were naming the town. Wells was the major landowner of the real estate pieces, now the downtown Main Street section of Wellsville. The first oil boom came later in Wellsville's history, several decades after the founding of the town and village when oil was discovered in Wellsville in 1879 by O.P. Taylor in his famous "Triangle No. 1" well in Petrolia, west of Wellsville. A second boom occurred with the discovery of "Secondary Recovery", led by Bradley Producing, based in Wellsville. The method uses water, so abundant in Wellsville, to force the oil from the "oil sands". The Sinclair Refinery was built in Wellsville at the beginning of the 20th century, not closing down until 1957 after two major fires and falling oil prices.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 36.7 square miles (95.0 km2), of which 36.6 square miles (94.9 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.10%, is water. The Genesee River flows northward through the town. New York State Route 417 intersects New York State Route 19 at Wellsville village, and NY 19 intersects New York State Route 248 by the south town line in Stannards.

Wellsville places a high priority on health and wellness. The Jones Memorial Hospital not only provides healthcare but also actively promotes wellness through various programs and community health initiatives. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs offered by Wellsville’s Recreation and Community Services Department. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Wellsville YMCA and JB's Family Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Wellsville, such as the Wellsville River Walk Trail and WAG Trail. This trail offers opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Wellsville, NY are Wellsville Creative Arts Center, Island Park, and Funland Skate Center.

Population: 4,551 (2024). ZIP code: 14895. Area code: 585. Elevation of 1,547 feet (471 meters). Area: 36.68 sq mi (95.01 sq km).

FAQs

What is Wellsville Town, NY known for?

Wellsville used to be called Tanbark City because Wellsville was in the middle of a forest of hemlock trees, the raw material of the booming tanning industry. According to David Lloyd Jones, Wellsville’s town historian, the six bustling tanneries brought many German and Irish immigrants to the area. In 1879, high-grade crude oil was found just outside of Wellsville (in Petrolia).

Is Wellsville, NY a good place to live?

Wellsville is in Allegany County. Living in Wellsville offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many young professionals and retirees live in Wellsville and residents tend to be conservative.

What is the crime rate in Wellsville, NY?

The crime rate in Wellsville is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 23 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Wellsville is 1 in 43. Based on FBI crime data, Wellsville is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Wellsville has a crime rate that is higher than 91% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Wellsville

Jones Memorial Hospital

Wellsville’s Recreation and Community Services Department

Wellsville YMCA

JB's Family Fitness

Wellsville River Walk Trail

WAG Trail

Wellsville Creative Arts Center 

Island Park 

Funland Skate Center

Allegany History

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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