Salamanca (town), New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Salamanca, New York
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
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pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Cattaraugus
government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 47.3
area_land_km2 = 47.3
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 18.2
area_land_sq_mi = 18.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 544
population_density_km2 = 11.5
population_density_sq_mi = 29.8

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 432
elevation_ft = 1417
latd = 42 |latm = 10 |lats = 4 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 46 |longs = 37 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 14779
area_code = 716
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-64760
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0979451
website =
footnotes =

Salamanca is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 544 at the 2000 census. The name is from a major investor in a local railroad.

The Town of Salamanca is in the south part of the county. The City of Salamanca borders the town.

History

The area was first settled around 1815. Many of the early arrivals were whites who settled on Native American land with the informal permission and toleration of the tribal members.

The area was a sparsely populated farming and lumber industry region until the arrival of four railroads, which made the community of Salamanca their hub.

The Town of Salamanca was formed in 1854 from part of the Town of Little Valley. At that time it was called the "Town of Bucktooth," named after a notable Native American who lived in the area. In 1869, the Town of Red House was created, taking away the south part of the Town of Salamanca, and in 1870 the community of Salamanca began to set itself off, first as a village, and later as a city.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.2 square miles (47.3 km²), all of it land.

New York State Route 353 is a north-south highway in the town. The Southern Tier Expressway runs through the Seneca reservation in the middle of the town. New York State Route 417 closely parallels the Expressway.

Adjacent towns and areas

The Town of Salamanca is divided into two parts by the Allegany Reservation, which sees itself as an autonomous entity. This division parallels the Allegheny River. North of the town is the Town of Little Valley, and south of Salamanca is the Town of Red House. On its west side, Salamanca forms a border with the Towns of Coldspring and Napoli. To the east is the Town of Great Valley.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 544 people, 210 households, and 160 families residing in the town. The population density was 29.8 people per square mile (11.5/km²). There were 238 housing units at an average density of 13.0/sq mi (5.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 1.29% Native American, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population.

There were 210 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $43,889. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,214. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in the Town of Salamanca

*Allegany Reservation -- The Seneca reservation runs through the center of the town.
*Allegany State Park -- A small part of the park is in the south part of the town.
*Allegheny River -- The river runs through the center of the town and the Seneca reservation.
*Bucktooth Run -- A small stream that enters the Allegheny River west of Salamanca City.
*Little Valley Creek -- A stream flowing into the Allegheny River in Salamanca City.
*Newton Run -- A stream flowing into the Allegheny River east of Bucktooth Run.
*Salamanca -- Most of the City of Salamanca is inside the town lines (and also inside the Seneca reservation).
* Kill Buck -- A hamlet east of Salamanca on Route 219, named after a chief of a local tribe.
* Shongo -- A hamlet inside the Seneca reservation on NY-417 in the southwest part of the town.
*Titus Run -- A stream flowing into the Allegheny River from the south.

References

External links

* [http://www.rootsweb.com/%7Enycattar/1879history/salamanca.htm Early history of Salamanca, NY]
* [http://www.oleaninfo.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26 Virtual Tour of Salamanca, NY]
* [http://www.rootsweb.com/~nycattar/towns/salhistory.htm Brief history of the Town of Salamanca]
* [http://www.littlevalleyny.com Little Valley Area Chamber of Commerce]