Wales, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Wales, 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 = Erie
government_footnotes =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 92.3
area_land_km2 = 92.2
area_water_km2 = 0.1
area_total_sq_mi = 35.6
area_land_sq_mi = 35.6
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2960
population_density_km2 = 32.1
population_density_sq_mi = 83.1

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 407
elevation_ft = 1335
latd = 42 |latm = 43 |lats = 46 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 31 |longs = 11 |longEW = W

postal_code_type =
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blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-77871
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0979591
website =
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Wales is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 2,960 at the 2000 census. The name was provided by early settlers from Wales.

The Town of Wales is one of the "Southtowns" of Erie County by virtue of its position in the southeast part of the county, south of Buffalo.

History

The first known settlers arrived around 1806. The town was formed in 1818 from the (now defunct) Town of Willink.

The Bleak House (named after the Dickens novel) is perhaps the oldest (begun in 1801) and most beautiful gothic revival cottage in Wales. It is noted for its hand carved gingerbreading and peaks. The initial construction was, of what is now the Eastern(porch)wing, built by Jacob Turner and his daughter while he was in the employ of the Willink Land Company as a sales agent. In 1811, John Carpenter an immigrant from England came into possession of the property, modified the one room cabin and added the main body of the house. The Carpenter family are buried in Carpenter Pioneer Cemetery on the property. Susan Harriet Carpenter, the daughter of the house whose passing was sudden and mysterious, is buried with her piano and horse as well. She occasionally treated visitors to a concert on foggy nights. The second family to own the house were two generations of the Gail family. They raised State Fair winning cows who produced more butter than any others at the time, as well as hunting dogs and turkeys. Famous "Elsie" the American Milk industry "spokescow" was born and buried lovingly on the premises The Miller family took over the house after the Gails all died out, and owned it during the filming of the original Tuck Everlasting. It is currently owned and operated by the Altair family.

Originally a farming community, the town of Wales is documented through profiles of its churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individual citizens. Established in 1818, the town of 3,000 residents is located in a scenic area of Erie County amid woodlands and streams. Town boards over the years have been respectful of the residents' desire to maintain a small-town atmosphere and quality of life, and the transition to modern life has emphasized small, family-oriented businesses. Personal commitment and a spirit of volunteerism have prevailed in the community, as evidenced by its many interactive organizations.

Historical extract

"TOWN OF WALES.The town of Wales was formed from the territory of Willink on April 15, 1818, comprising township 9, range 5, of the Holland Company survey, with nominal jurisdiction over the Indian lands opposite that township to the center of the Buffalo Creek Reservation. The town has an area of thirty-six square miles, or 22,600 acres. It is situated on the east line of Erie county, with Aurora on the west, Holland on the south and Marilla on the north. The central branch of the Buffalo Creek (commonly called Big Buffalo Creek) flows northwesterly across the town. Hunter's Creek flows northerly nearly across the town and empties into Buffalo Creek. Cazenove Creek flows across the southwest corner. The Big Buffalo Creek is bordered by a broad and fertile valley, while a narrower one extends along Hunter's Creek. The greater part of the remainder of the town is high land with gravelly and clayey soil.

The territory of Wales received its first settlers in 1806 in the persons of William and Ethan Allen, Amos Clark and William Hoyt. In 1807 Jacob Turner, Nathan Moon and Charles and Alexander McKay came in. In 1808 Ebenezer and John Holmes, brothers, settled on Holmes Hill, where their descendants are still found. Silas Hunter also settled in the town in that year. In 1809 Peleg Havens, Welcome Moore and Isaac Reed were among the newcomers. James Wood settled in Wood's Hollow (or Wales Hollow, now Wales village), and Samuel Searls settled where the widow of Thomas Hill now resides.

In 1810 Jacob Turner built the first frame house. Alvin Burt, William A. Burt (his son) and Benjamin Eariwere in the town as early as 1810. Isaac Hall settled in 1811 at Hall's Hollow, and with his brother Eli built mills that year, and in the next year built a tavern. Varnum Kenyon, William Carpenter, Nathan M. Mann, Lyman Blackmar and Eli Weed, jr., came in about the same time, the latter locating on Weed's Hill, where his descendants still live.

Dr. Ira G. Watson settled in 1812 a little north of South Wales and in the same year William Burt opened the first store. John Russell bought a large tract of land in 1813 in the southwest part, on the site of South Wales. In 1815 he sold a part to Aaron Warner; Henry Monroe was another purchaser from him. In 1816 Mr. Warner built the Osborn House, which is still standing but not in use as a public house. In 1815 John Cole settled where Lyman Wood lives, and in 1817 Isaac Wightman became a resident. Ira Hall settled in the town in 1818 and established a tannery and shoe shop near his brother's mills. Stephen Patch and his three sons also settled that year. Jacob Turner built a grist mill before 1818 at Wood's Hollow. Distilleries were numerous in early years, seven being at one time in operation on Buffalo Creek within this town. Other early and prominent settlers were John Cadugan, Frank N. Smith, Thomas Hill, Harry A. Stevens, Chandler Barber, Charles N. Brayton, Orlo Grover, Joseph Charles, James Chalmers, Elias Dimond, Harding W. Hall, Martin J. and George Keem, S. R. Hall, Samuel Gail, J. W. Waters, Welcome Moore, B. D. Norton, Thomas Stokes, Dennis Sullivan and John Weaver.

The first post-office in this town was opened in 1821 with the name Wales; it was in the store of William A. Burt at Hall's Hollow (now Wales Center). A few years later when James Wood was made postmaster, he took the office to Wood's Hollow (now Wales). Another office was established in 1826 at South Wales.

A hotel was built in 1835 a mile west of Hall's Hollow. This has been known as the old Pochel tavern and is still kept open. Mortimer Stevens had a small store near the hotel and in 1843 obtained a postoffice there called Wales Center, in which he was the first postmaster; it was removed to Hall's Hollow in 1850.

Numerous saw mills were built in early years along the streams, but most of them have disappeared with the forest. There is one in operation at South Wales, and one at Wales Center, with a few portable mills. The character of the agricultural products has changed in comparatively recent years. Grain growing has largely given place to cheese and butter making. A cheese factory is in operation at Wales and one at South Wales. There is also a butter factory at Wales Center and the dairy products of the town have an excellent reputation."

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.6 square miles (92.3 km²), of which, 35.6 square miles (92.2 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.11%) is water.

The east town line is the border of Wyoming County.

New York State Route 400 passes through the southwest part of the town.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,960 people, 1,116 households, and 841 families residing in the town. The population density was 83.1 people per square mile (32.1/km²). There were 1,165 housing units at an average density of 32.7/sq mi (12.6/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.58% White, 0.10% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 1,116 households out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.3% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 27.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,486, and the median income for a family was $59,350. Males had a median income of $40,125 versus $29,737 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,616. About 2.1% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.

Communities and locations in Wales

*Buffalo Creek -- A stream flowing northward through the town.
*Colgrave -- A location on Centerline Road in the western part of the town.
*South Wales -- A hamlet on the border of the Town of Aurora in the southeast part of the town.This community is the home of the The Gow School] This community lies at the south end of NY-400 on NY-16.
*Wales Center -- A hamlet near the northern town border.
*Wales Hollow (or "Woods Hollow") -- A location near the town's western edge.

References

External links

* [http://www.townofwales.com Town of Wales website]
* [http://history.rays-place.com/ny/wales-ny.htm Wales history]
* [http://www.eastaurorany.com Local Community Newspaper]