Salamanca (city), New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Salamanca, New York
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

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pushpin_label_position =
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 = 16.1
area_land_km2 = 15.5
area_water_km2 = 0.6
area_total_sq_mi = 6.2
area_land_sq_mi = 6.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.2

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 6097
population_density_km2 = 392.1
population_density_sq_mi = 1015.6

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 421
elevation_ft = 1381
latd = 42 |latm = 9 |lats = 31 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 42 |longs = 57 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 14779
area_code = 716
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-64749
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0964291
website =
footnotes =

Salamanca is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States, located inside the Allegany Indian Reservation. The population was 6,097 at the 2000 census.

The city is surrounded by the Town of Salamanca. The city of Salamanca is the only U.S. city that was built on land leased from an Indian reservation. The lease from the Senecas is in effect until 2030. [cite web |url=http://www.bartleby.com/69/47/A03247.html |title=Allegany Indian Reservation |accessdate= |work=The Columbia Gazetteer of North America |publisher=Columbia University Press |date=2000 ]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.2 km²), of which, 6.0 square miles (15.5 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.6 km²) of it (3.69%) is water.

Salamanca is located on a reservation of the Seneca Nation of Indians (one of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy), and the city population of about 6000 is about 13% Native Americans with the rest White and other ethnic groups. The city lies on the Allegheny River and is adjacent to the Allegany State Park.

The Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17) passes south of the city, as does US Route 219 and New York State Route 417.

History

Originally called "Bucktooth," a name supposedly derived from a past local inhabitant, the community was primarily supported by the lumber industry until the arrival of the railroads. The city grew up around the junction of four railroads: Erie, Atlantic and Great Western, Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh, and Pennsylvania. The current name is derived from a major investor in the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad, the Spanish marquess Don José de Salamanca, who in turn took his name from the city of Salamanca in Spain.

The community became a village in 1870, and the City of Salamanca was incorporated in 1913.

In 1920 the population of Salamanca was 9,276.

Land lease changes

In the 1990's, the past land leases for houses built on Indian land expired. The previous amount paid had been very modest, and, when the new leases required substantial increases, the result was bitterness, lawsuits, and appeals to government officials. In the end, the new leases were put into effect, and a few people had to be evicted from their homes for refusing to pay.

Casino gambling

The Seneca Nation of Indians opened a gambling casino in Salamanca in May 2004. That facility is going to become an entertainment center attached to a larger casino under construction. About one thousand new jobs were created by the current casino operation, creating a housing shortage for the influx of workers. The 25% share of the revenue going to the city and county have enabled the city to try to refurbish its image.

However, change has not occurred within the city, with new construction in only a few select areas. Main Street and US Route 219 (which runs through the city) remains largely untouched with little to no renovation and is populated by cigarette, tobacco, coffee shops and empty storefronts. Some have criticized the current trend of developing the "new Salamanca" as a tax free cigarette/gas haven. This end result is not indicative of what Seneca ancestors stood for in their principles.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 6,097 people, 2,469 households, and 1,575 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,015.6 people per square mile (392.3/km²). There were 2,749 housing units at an average density of 457.9/sq mi (176.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.26% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 11.74% Native American (U.S. Census), 0.33% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.82% of the population.

There were 2,469 households out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.2% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.3% 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 3.00.

In the city the population was spread out with 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $24,579, and the median income for a family was $30,996. Males had a median income of $25,549 versus $19,180 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,812. About 18.0% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.7% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.

Notable residents

*Ray Evans, musician, songwriter. Wrote very popular Christmas favorite, "Silver Bells"
*Miranda Ambuske, Illinois State Diving competitor
*Marcus Stephens, Inaugural Jeep Terrain Park Challenge National Champion, Professional Snowboarder.
*John F. Elsen, torchbearer for the 2002 Winter Olympics

Rudi George-High School Lacrosse Legend

External links

* [http://www.salmun.com City of Salamanca, New York webpage] .
* [http://www.oleaninfo.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=26 Virtual Tour of Salamanca, NY]
* [http://wnyrails.org/cities/sal/sal_home.htm History: Railroads in Salamanca]