Stones, bells, and stars in Alfred
Runnings, new retailer in Wellsville, opens its doors
Dating from 1836, the campus of Alfred University in Alfred is not only the home of art, music and ceramics, it is also the site of several historically, architecturally and astronomically interesting buildings which can readily be seen and enjoyed by the public.
The University campus occupies the east side of the village of Alfred while Alfred State College is located on the west side of Main Street. The Washington Post recently named the village the friendliest college town in the country; Feb. 2023. The University was officially chartered in 1857, but before that in 1836, it was the site of one of the first “select“ schools in Allegany County. The village was founded in 1808 and incorporated in 1881.
When visitors enter the campus through the stone pillars on Saxon Drive, they are immediately greeted by a towering statue of King Alfred the Great the college’s and village’s and town’s namesake, known for his progressive views on education in the late 800s.
When the school opened it was one of the first to accept women, blacks and indigenous people a tradition that continued when the college was chartered.
From those first years, one of the remaining buildings is Alumni Hall built in 1851 in the Greek Revival style and used as a chapel, meeting hall and educational center. It was placed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.
Down hill and north, one will find the oldest public classroom in the town Kanakadea Hall built in 1889 and now part of the college campus.
Looking uphill to the north the campus skyline is dominated by two intriguing and mysterious structures – The Steinham and the Davis Memorial Carillon tower.
The Steinham was constructed from 1876 to 1880 by Prof. Ida Kenyon to resemble a castle from her native Germany. It is a crenellated stone structure containing 8000 rock specimens from the surrounding area and 700 local and foreign woods making up its interior. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.
South of the Steinham, the Davis Memorial Carillon, is a massive steel tower that reaches four
stories into the skyline and is topped with an arrangement of 47 bronze bells (the largest weighing over 3,800 pounds) which are played from a keyboard lower in the structure. It was originally built in 1937 from wood to honor a former college president and to house 35 reportedly antique and historically significant bronze bells which were imported from Antwerp by alumni. In 1953 the original structure was replaced with steel and later the lower stories were enclosed with glass. In 2004 it was discovered that the antique bells were fraudulent and of a more recent vintage. Regardless, for decades students and town residents have been serenaded by the bells at noon and on special occasions by resident and visiting carillonneurs.
Out of sight from the main campus, but just south, the Stull Observa-
tory houses one of two of the second largest optical telescopes in the state. What began in 1876, the observatory was established at its present site in 1966. It is home to seven telescopes ranging in size from eight to 32-inches. All the telescopes are capable of general imaging and time-series photometry of asteroids, variable stars, transiting exoplanets and more.
The Stull Observatory is open to the public on clear Friday nights from 9 to 11 p.m. in September, October, November, February, March and April. In May, June and July, it is open on Thursday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. Reservations are requested for large groups, call 607871-2208 during business hours.
In 1987 the Village of Alfred was named a His-
toric District by the U. S. National Register of Historic Places. The District, consists of 133 properties and encompasses much of the Village with a significant concentration of residential, commercial, civic and religious architecture. The area includes both sides of Main Street. Structures in the District date from 1818 to the 1930s and are predominately American architectural styles, such as Federal, Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Octagon, Italianate, Italian Villa, Queen Anne/ Eastlake, Romanesque Revival, Colonial Revival, and Neoclassical. The most striking feature of this District is the red terra-cotta tile roofs.
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By Kathryn Ross
Mirrored by State Route 19, from the state line to its northern border, the Genesee River offers a variety of opportunities as it twists and turns its way through Allegany County.
No matter where you are in the County you are never more than about 25 miles from the banks of the Genesee which drops 2,250 feet from its source in the hills near Gold, PA to Irondequoit Bay on Lake Ontario. It is one of the few rivers in the Northern Hemisphere which flows north.
The width of this shallow river varies from something you can step across in high summer to several feet wide near Fillmore. Its depth varies depending on the time of year. In high summer it is generally very low. Recent years, however, have seen a good flow throughout the seasons with its deepest point generally occurring in late spring.
Created by the Ice Age, in latter centuries the Genesee River, was the historic border between the lands of the Seneca Indians in the East and the Erie and Wenro tribes to the West. It takes its name from the Iroquois words meaning “beautiful valley” and from the Casconchiagon language meaning “the river of many falls.” It is 158 miles long. In the early 1800s there were six, permanent Indian encampments along its banks, with one of the largest located in Canacadea in Allegany County.
The river’s first 40 miles, after crossing the state line at Genesee, PA, are located within Allegany County. This part of the river offers a treasure trove of opportunities from fishing and water sports to horseback riding and exploring for arrowheads and fossils.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notes that there are 18 miles of fishing easements with a 2.5 mile stretch near Shongo restricted to Catch and Release. It is popular for trout fishing.
Yearly the DEC stocks the river with yearling brown and rainbow trout from the PA border to the Belmont falls. There are two handicap accessible fishing docks, one located in Island Park in Wellsville and the other at the falls in Belmont. Each year, in April, the Lions Club offers the Great Wellsville Trout Derby with prize money reaching upwards to $25,000. Registration is throughout the weekend long event and there is camping along the river and in the park.
Camping with river
access is also located at Trout Run Campgrund in Wellsville and Riverside Campground in Scio. The Wellsville Microtel is also located a stone’s throw from the river.
Maps of the fishing easements are available from the DEC.
A local group, Genesee River Wilds promotes kayaking and canoeing on the river. With the help of local supporters, businesses, state and federal grants GRW has created 18 River Access points stretching from Genesee to Canacadea. These areas provide easy launch and take-out sites as well as an informational kiosks and parking. The group has also installed mile markers and informational signs along the river’s course.
They provide information about the river and conditions and sponsored events on their website at geneseeriverwilds@gmail. com
In the mid-19th Century, after the success of the Erie Canal, the Genesee Barge
Canal was constructed along much of the Genesee riverbank. The canal was built to link Rochester to Olean. Later, the railroad followed the same route. In recent years the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail was developed and follows the same course. It enters Allegany County north of Fillmore and continues south to Cuba separating from the Genesee in Black Creek. For hikers and bikers it offers views of a canal culvert in Black Creek and the last remaining canal warehouse structure in Belfast, along with easy, level terrain. Farther south, in Wellsville the WAG Trail also offers an easy, level hike or walk with access for non-motorized vehicles along the river to the state line; nine miles. With its wildlife and scenic beauty, it offers a cornucopia of creative photography. In recent months the trail has been enhanced with the addition of the Airbnb, The WAG Trail Inn which along with fine dining, treehouse accommodations, and views of the river, offers horseback riding.
In 1943, Rochester newspaperman Arch Merrill hiked the river and wrote River Ramble. It is a book about the river, towns, sites and people living along the Genesee River. Those characters may be gone now, but the sites and the towns are still there and offer a great chance to take that fishing pole, paddle or hiking stick in hand and experience life along the Genesee.
By KATHRYN ROSS
WELLSVILLE — The parking lot was crowded March 15 when the new retailer Runnings unlocked its doors for an early look inside.
The large retail store, which features goods from clothing and pet supplies
to outdoor and home merchandise, stretches from the north wall of the former Kmart to what was formerly the garden center. The store is in the Riverwalk Plaza on Bolivar Road.
Kerry Steele of Genesee, who is familiar with the Jamestown Runnings store,
said, “This is exciting, this store is much bigger.”
She was with her teenage daughter, Lilly, and only a few feet inside the store, they had already found a new shirt to purchase. “It is kind of nice to have first dibs on everything,” Steele said.
Caleb Webster of Wellsville agreed, saying, “It is much bigger than I expected. It is pretty awesome.”
The Wellsville Runnings is the 14th store district manager Lance Buckingham has opened in the Northeast.
“The public here has been outstanding, everyone from the mayor and the chamber of commerce have been so easy to work with,” he said, adding Wellsville was selected for Runnings because of the market it draws from and
the empty, existing building.
“And, because the community needed us,” he said.
Runnings expects to attract customers from a 40-mile radius around Wellsville and even farther in some instances. He was also familiar with the area because his two daughters attend Alfred State College.
“This community is very friendly,” Buckingham said. “It is not always like that when we open a new store. You should be very proud of yourselves.”
The curious streamed through the building, which features a large clothing section with outdoor wear, boots and shoes, and everyday clothing.
There are at least six aisles of dog supplies including a variety of bedding and winter sweaters.
“Usually, we open our stores in April. It is cold here,” Buckingham lamented.
The pet area also includes food, toys and fencing.
A little deeper into the facility a separate area has been set aside for horse supplies and tack — there are no saddles but there is a collection of designer halters, bridles and bits, saddle blankets and cold weather gear.
At the south corner of the store there are automotive supplies. Along with shelves laden with oil and antifreeze there are shelves loaded with windshield washer. There are also supplies for vehicle repair and maintenance, including tools and ways to spruce up your ride.
Wellsville’s Runnings also comes equipped with hunting supplies including many different sizes of traps and firearms. Outdoor gear is also in abundance, with blankets, mattresses and sleeping bags piled among outdoor stoves and fire rings.
With the Genesee River only a few yards away, Run-
nings also sells several different styles of kayaks and canoes as well as safety gear, helmets and life preservers.
Garden and home supplies — from lawn furniture to windchimes — also crowd the floor space in the front of the store along with gardening implements. There is a selection of pools and hot tubs as well as interior easy chairs and couches.
A “grand opening” is scheduled for early May, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned during that week. Runnings’ hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Runnings, headquartered in Marshall, Minn., has 58 stores with 2,700 employees across eight states and is noted for taking vacant retail stores and renovating them for new customers. It took over the vacant former Kmart building and started renovations in late 2022.
In addition to Jamestown, there are Runnings located in Brockport, Lockport, Canandaigua, Gloversville, Rome, Plattsburg and Watertown in New York. Stores are spread across Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Montana, New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut.
The 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge for birders of all ages and abilities is underway.
The challenge involves identifying and learning about birds, with participants who finish the program receiving a commemorative I BIRD NY Challenge patch and the chance to win birding equipment. The state DEC has updated the challenge format this year to feature a single challenge for all ages and abilities.
New York state’s wide-ranging habitat types, from the Atlantic Ocean’s sandy beaches to majestic Catskill and Adirondack peaks, Great Lakes shorelines, and everything in between, support more than 450 different bird species throughout the year.
The I BIRD NY program was launched in 2017 to build on the state’s efforts to increase access to New York’s vast natural resources and promote no- and low-cost opportunities to explore the great outdoors
and connect with nature. Because people can observe birds wherever they live, work or recreate, birding is an accessible activity that does not require transportation or the purchase of specialized equipment. Birdwatching can be enjoyed by people from all economic backgrounds and education levels. While binoculars can help, many birds can
be identified without them.
The 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge is open to all ages and ends on Nov. 1. To complete the challenge, participants must identify any 10 bird species of their choosing and submit a challenge sheet to DEC that can be found at https:// www.dec.ny.gov/animals/109900.html#2023.
Challenge sheets may be submitted online via Survey Monkey or sent via email or mail. Entries must be received by Nov. 17. All participants will be awarded a commemorative patch, given a completion certificate and entered into a drawing for birding prizes. Two youth and two adult winners will be chosen.
Participants will also receive an extra prize entry for providing a
photo documenting their challenge experience. As an extra bonus, the first 50 participants will receive a special goodie bag of birding swag items.
Birding enthusiasts can visit I Bird NY to access this year’s challenge sheets, as well as find information on where and how to watch birds, upcoming birding events, a downloadable Beginner’s Guide to Birding, and additional resources. Those interested may also opt to sign up for DEC’s monthly birding newsletter, Words of a Feather, to have birding tips and tricks, New York State Birding Trail site recommendations, events, and more delivered right to one’s inbox.
DEC will host a Facebook and Instagram Live about the 2023 I BIRD NY Challenge from the Northern Montezuma Wildlife Management Area in coming days. Tune in to @ NYSDEC for more details.
CUBA — For a century and a half, locals have flocked to Cuba Lake, and later to Rushford Lake, for fun on the water.
The lake was built in 1858 as a source of water for the Genesee Valley Canal, which stretched from Rochester to Olean. By the turn of the century, many of today’s cottages had been built, with residents from area communities taking up summer lodgings on the man-made lake.
The lake covers 445 acres, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and reaches a depth of 46 feet, with an average depth around 20 feet.
Public boating access is provided at the DECbuilt boat launch site off West Shore Road. Smaller hand-launched boats like canoes and kayaks can be launched directly into Rawson Creek near its inlet to the lake. Trailered boats can use the concrete ramp and floating docks provided at the main launch area.
Pontoon boats are a favorite way for many to tour the lake, while speed boats pull water tubers and skiers. Jet craft are also used on the lake.
For anglers, Cuba Lake is home to walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike and several species of panfish.
Fish habitat in Cuba Lake is provided mainly by beds of aquatic vegetation, according to the DEC, but fishermen should not attempt fishing below depths of 15 to 20 feet from June through September due to oxygen depletion.
Northern pike are the largest fish in the lake, with fish up to 3 feet long reported. Walleye are the dominant predator in the lake, with a few growing beyond 20 inches. Smallmouth bass are plentiful, but the DEC warns that their growth rate is slow, taking five years to reach the minimum legal size.
Largemouth bass are also found, but are far less com-
mon. Panfish are the most common type of fish on the lake, with yellow perch, rock bass, bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead and black crappie being found. Yellow perch are the dominant panfish species, while rock bass and other species still provide for good angling opportunities. Common carp can also be found, with weights up to 20 pounds reported.
In the winter, Cuba Lake’s water level is drawn down, but still holds opportunities when the ice is thick enough, as it’s one of the few area lakes that of-
fers ice fishing opportunities. Ice fishing is a popular way to catch both walleye and panfish. Access for ice fishing anglers is provided at the south end of the dam on South Shore Road.
For those out for just a boat ride, the Cuba Lake Yacht Club offers many opportunities. The club, founded in 1950, focuses on sail-only propulsion, offering sailing classes for kids and adults, racing opportunities and events through the summer. They can be reached at www. sailcubalake.com.
And for those seeking to grab a bite while relaxing on the water, boat over to Carpie’s Grill on the north side for either a sit-down or a boat-in, dockside meal.
Off-lake activities are also available.
An on-road portion of the Genesee Valley Greenway Trail runs near the lake at its eastern tip. The trail, the first state park in Allegany County, uses onand off-road trail sections to connect Rochester to Hinsdale. The trail generally follows the course of the Genesee Valley Canal, originally fed by the artificial lake. Officials plan to eventually complete the trail to the canal’s southern terminus at Olean.
A historic bike tour of Cuba Lake can be found online at https://cubany. us/cuba/biketour/ is a map of a historical bike tour of Cuba Lake. There are four stops where you can listen to historical narratives and browse old photos of the boat launch area, the dam and cemetery, the spillway and Oil Spring.
To better tell the stories
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of the community, the Cuba Friends of Architecture announced this summer that the first of 13 high-pressure laminate signs describing historic places in Cuba have been installed thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Design and Access, and Allegany County Comprehensive Plan Implementation group to the Cuba Friends of Architecture Trail Town Committee.
The first of the 3-by-2.5foot signs were installed at the Liberty Pole, the Palmer Opera House and the Pa Ingalls sign near the Cuba Goddess, and other signs have been set up in the following days. The remaining signs that are up or ready to be placed include the Cuba Ice Cream Shop, Eldridge Block, McKinney Stable, Hotel Kinney, Olean Bath, St. James Hotel, Greenway
Trail, Cuba Cheese Shoppe, Kirkpatrick House Story Block Building and Willow Bank Park. The complete tour is available online at https://cubany.us/tour. Use the QR codes on the signs and a smartphone to access the tour online.
A short drive from Cuba Lake, Rushford Lake offers different challenges for anglers and more opportunities for recreational boaters.
The lake covers 585 acres and has a maximum depth of 115 feet. It was built by Rochester Gas and Electric in the 1920s to provide water flow control for the Genesee River for hydroelectric generating. It was sold to the Rushford Lake Recreation District in 1981.
The Balcom Beach area provides a trailered boat launch, ideal for recreational and fishing boats.
Officials also stock the lake with rainbow and brown trout. The lake is subject to heavy recreational boat traffic, so anglers usually head out early or late in the day.
Many areas of the lake have steep drop-offs — common areas to find smallmouth bass. Live baits imitating emerald shiners and crayfish are recommended. The deep waters of the lake provide cold, well-oxygenated water to support trout up to 2 feet long. Walleye were introduced in the late 1980s from an unknown source, and reach legal size by age 3. Panfish are not abundant and have slow growth rates, but can still be sought out. Ice fishing is prohibited.
Shore fishing is also available, at Balcom Beach and from the north side of the Caneadea Dam.
A $400,000 purchase expanded the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park by another 22 miles in 2022.
Purchasing 17 miles of the former Genesee Valley Railroad corridor for $400,000 in the towns of Belfast, Caneadea, Cuba and New Hudson from a private party, the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the purchase would allow for further development on the southern end of the 90-mile trail, which utilizes public roads as well as state-owned trail sections from Rochester to Hinsdale.
The new section, which extends from the Genesee River north of Belfast south to Cuba, offers an opportunity to create “loop trails” within the Genesee Valley Greenway corridor, officials said.
Much of the route of the trail travels along Route 305 or side roads, rather than on dedicated trail surfaces.
“Connecting the Genesee Valley Greenway is an important step along this route for community recreation and safety,” New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said. “We look forward to rehabilitating the railbed into a trail and converting railroad bridges into pedestrian bridges. These exciting projects make our parks safer and more welcoming to cyclists and pedestrians and improve access for year-round recreational opportunities.”
Sen. George Borrello,
R, Sunset Bay, said that among Western New York’s greatest assets are its parks and natural resources.
“These projects create new Allegany County linkages to the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park and miles of new trails and bridges will increase usage and enjoyment of one of our region’s true recreational gems,” he said, while thanking Gov. Kathy Hochul and Kulleseid for making the investment in quality of life and tourism in the area.
Assemblyman Joe Giglio, R-Gowanda, called the acquisition of the 17mile former rail line and its planned rehabilitation “wonderful news. ... I look forward to exploring the new trails with my family in the near future.”
In addition to the purchase, state officials reported that bridge construction on four parts of the trail in the county have been fully funded by a strategic purchase — New York will advance a $6.25 million “Genesee Valley Greenway Bridges of Allegany County” project, which is funded by a $1.25 million Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation grant and a $5 million Transportation Assistance Program grant announced in June.
Resurfacing work is also to be completed.
According to a 2021 action plan completed by the park, four bridges are needed to improve safety along the corridor, formerly the Genesee Valley Canal and later a railroad right-of-way converted to a multi-use trail. A bridge
in Rossburg over Wiscoy Creek, one in Fillmore over Cold Creek, one over drainage in Houghton and one over Caneadea Creek in Caneadea are planned, with estimates between $820,000 and $1.7 million per bridge.
Once finished, there will be 22 miles of continuous trail along the Greenway in the county. The improved route can be used for many activities in all seasons, including walking, hiking, running, cycling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Long-term plans include various upgrades, as well as extending the trail to Olean — the southern terminus of the Genesee Valley Canal in the 1860s and 1870s.
Two hundred years ago, local rivers were the highways of their day — hauling the lumber to build New York and Pittsburgh, feeding a growing nation, and transporting settlers west.
Today, through the efforts of several groups, local rivers have tapped into the rivers for recreation and tourism.
With the Genesee River Wilds, 18 access points have been added to the Genesee River from the Pennsylvania border to Letchworth State Park.
New wayfinding signs were installed in late 2020
to help boaters find places to put in. Mile markers and reflective signs have made judging distances and navigation easier.
The sign project was part of the Genesee River becoming part of a Genesee River Blueway Map, which is now available. By looking for the Genesee Blueway map on the Genesee RiverWatch website, enthusiasts can find a downloadable map which displays current river access locations from Pennsylvania through Allegany County, all the way to Lake Ontario. A web-based Interactive Map gives users detailed information about
each access point, including photos of the sites.
Genesee RiverWatch partnered with the Genesee Valley Conservancy and Genesee River Wilds to update the Genesee River Blueway Trail Map. The project was funded by a $25,000 New York Sea Grant and had the support of the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce.
The long-term plan of Genesee River Wilds is its Triple Divide trail system that will link the Genesee Valley Greenway via the WAG Trail with the Pine Creek Trail in Pennsylvania to become the centerpiece
of a unique recreational corridor that will run from Rochester to Williamsport, Pa. The trail will facilitate bikers, hikers and those navigating the rivers.
Genesee River Wilds is dedicated to restoring, protecting and enjoying the upper Genesee River For more information go to www.geneseeriverwilds. com or look for it on Facebook.
The farthest upstream site serving New York is actually in Pennsylvania.
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In Ceres Township, just the other side of the border, is a launch on Oswayo Creek, which flows into the Allegheny River near Portville. Downstream 6.6 miles is a second launch on the creek, found just outside of Portville adjacent to the Route 305 bridge.
Another 1.4 miles downstream is an undeveloped site at the confluence of the river and Dodge Creek, which officials have been planning a more formal development at the site. A launch at Steam Valley Road — another 2.7 miles downstream — just northwest of Portville offers a paved parking area, several picnic benches and other amenities.
Floating another 4.7 miles, the city of Olean owns a launch site just west of the South Union Street bridge, which includes a small picnic area. The city applied to Cattaraugus County in May seeking to build an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant launch at the site.
A similar launch has been built off the First Street bridge in Allegany, another 4.7 miles, which puts boaters near local restaurants and businesses. The old North Nine Mile Bridge is nine miles away, while a launch area is also available off of Route 219 at Bradford Junction at 8.8 miles from Allegany. Wildwood Avenue in Salamanca — another 8 miles — hosts a put-in. Across town, the city of Salamanca, the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Cattaraugus County public works department partnered in 2020 to build a boat launch at the Iroquois Drive and Front Avenue access point of the river in the west end of the city.
SCIO — A committee is gearing up to celebrate the town of Scio’s 200th anniversary, and while the big celebration won’t take place until summer, events are happening now to support the effort.
The town was first settled in 1805 by Joseph Knight of Oneida County, who fought in the Revolutionary War. Knight’s Creek is named for him. It is written in “Beer’s History of Allegany County” that “Mr. Knight was obliged to cut his way through into the town and the passage he opened most of the way from Belmont was the first road in the town for some time.”
The original Scio township extended from Angelica to the Pennsylvania line. The town line between Scio and Amity was first located where Sciota Street is today. When the town of Ward was established, it took over land from Scio and Amity; so Amity deeded to Scio three-fourths of a mile on Scio’s northern line, which established the town line. Some of its original territory was lost during the formation of the towns of Amity, Wellsville and Willing.
Beer’s reads, “In 1808 this section of Allegany County was a primitive forest. Then came Silas Bellamy, who settled 100 acres which included most of the site of the
present village of Scio. Later Mr. Bellamy sold 50 acres to Barnabas York, who built a tavern which stood on Main Street. Mr. York sold his tavern to Mr. Francis Blood, a man of means and ability. He kept the tavern for years. The corners nearby became known as ‘Blood Corners.’ Across from Mr. Blood’s tavern was a store and a short distance up the Vandermark Road was a blacksmith shop.
“In 1832, most of the business centered around Benjamin Silas Palmer’s house and mill. At the Palmer house travelers were furnished food and lodging. Elections and town meetings were also
held there until 1840.
“The railroad station was located here in 1849, and it became a great shipping point for vast quantities of lumber.
“When the first settlers came here, this area was covered with beautiful pine forests. Lumbering was the first important industry. There were two mills on the Vandermark and seven on Knight’s Creek. Because of the many mills on Knight’s Creek, the road became very muddy or dusty; so the mill owners built a plank road from Scio to Allentown. Most of the lumber was shipped to New York.
“In 1855 Scio had a population of about 496 and was the largest town
in the county. It was very much larger than Wellsville at this time. Tanneries were built in Wellsville which caused that village to grow. On account of the growth of Wellsville and other causes the prosperity of Scio declined so that in 1896 it was a quiet little village with a tworoom school of about 100 pupils.”
Like many towns Scio’s early buildings were destroyed by fire.
“Scio was formed from Angelica on January 31, 1823. A part of Amity was taken off in 1830, a part of Willing in 1851, and a part of Wellsville in 1855; and 2.5 square miles were taken off and annexed to Wellsville in 1868.
“Before getting its final name it was called Bloods Corner or Bloods and then later Riddleville. Of all the place name origins in the County, Scio has probably generated the greatest amount of controversy and interest. The most commonly held belief is based on the construction of the Erie Railroad through the county from 1849 to 1851.
“Construction of the line was done by section with the area around Scio called “Section 10” on maps and blueprints of the time. Some believe this area was abbreviated to Sc.10 and the corruption of “Scio” resulted.
“However, historically Scio was formed-by that name in 1823, many years before the railroad arrived.
“Historically in 1820 the Turks massacred a Christian settlement on the Island of Scio in the Aegean Sea in 1820. The murders so horrified the Western World that noted orator
Daniel Webster toured the nation giving speeches about the atrocity. Scio’s founding fathers honored the massacred Christians by naming their town for them on Jan. 31st 1823.”
Scio will be celebrating its Bicentennial year from Aug. 10-13 with events including a car and tractor show, village-wide yard sales, street dances, musical concerts, a king and queen contest, games, a parade, and by acknowledging the youngest and oldest residents. The celebration will end with a community-wide picnic.
The Bicentennial committee is also offering commemorative t-shirts for sale. Go to the committee’s website at scio200years. com or its Facebook page.
Much of the information for this article was taken from Beer’s History of Allegany County and from the Allegany County Historical Society website.
The Pink House in Wellsville, built in 1866, has been recommended by a state board for listing on State and National Registers of Historic Places.
In 2020, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office indicated that the Pink House was among 18 varied locations to receive the listing recommendation from the state’s Board for Historic Preservation
The Italianate-style villa also includes intact historic-period features including marble statuary, an ice-house, a three-story carriage barn, a gazebo and a building known as the Fossil House, where original owner Edwin P. Hall stored his extensive fossil collection that now resides at the New York State Museum in Albany and the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh.
Still in family ownership, the home retains its original pink exterior color that gives it its name.
“These historic locations highlight so much of what is exceptional about New York and its incredible contributions to our nation’s history,” Cuomo said in a press release on Monday. “By placing these landmarks on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, we are helping to ensure these places and their caretakers have the funding needed to preserve, improve and promote the best of this great state.”
State and National Registers listing can assist owners in revitalizing
properties, making them eligible for various public preservation programs and services, such as matching state grants and state and federal historic rehabilitation tax credits.
The registers are the official lists of buildings, structures, districts, landscapes, objects and sites significant in the history, architecture, archaeology and culture of New York and the nation. There are more than 120,000 historic properties throughout the state listed on the National Register of Historic Places, individually or as components of historic districts. Property owners, municipalities and organizations from communities throughout the state sponsored the nominations.
Once the recommendations are approved by the Commissioner, who serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, the properties are listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and then nominated to the National Register of Historic Places, where they are reviewed and, once approved, entered on the National Register.
Home to Alfred State College and Alfred University, Alfred was ranked No. 1 in a nationwide survey to determine the Ultimate College Town.
Washington Post reporter Andrew Van Dam found the top college town by ranking 150 U.S. Census urban areas with the largest share of college students. Urban areas follow population-density patterns, not municipal boundaries.
Alfred, No. 1 by a significant margin in the survey — about 85% of the area’s population of 4,500 are students — was called
by Van Dam “the collegiest,” his term.
Van Dam describes Alfred as a village wedged in Western New York’s hills that is home to both a public and private school, Alfred State and Alfred U.
“Students make up an astonishing 85% of the town’s population” when semesters are in session, he writes. “If you go left at the town’s only stoplight, you’re on one campus. Turn right, you’re on the other. Now that’s a college town.”
Alfred is at the center of the U.S. Northeast. Located along Interstate 86, it was
called a convenient and attractive college town for students from a wide region and around the world.
According to NASA’s Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center, there are nearly 104.5 million people within 350 miles of Alfred — approximately one-third of the U.S. population.
“Living in the Ultimate College Town gives you access to both beautiful campuses and a supportive tight-knit community, including world-class faculty who judge their achievements by how students succeed at launching their careers,” said Alfred State’s
president, Dr. Steven Mauro.
“With students making up 85% of all residents in our village, you know we are student-centered,” he continued. “Great ideas and innovations are shared across Main Street, many alumni met their spouses at the sister school, and everyone benefits from the wealth of recreation to share fun, fitness, and fellowship in such a friendly environment.”
Dr. Mark Zupan, AU’s president, said, “While there is only one traf-
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fic light in Alfred, there are plentiful and potent intersections that benefit faculty, students, and staff — including those offered by our sister school, Alfred State College, and the friendly surrounding village.”
Zupan said Alfred U’s purpose is to help its students identify and realize their purpose.
“The combination of our small size, wide range of programs, applied learning opportunities, and commitment to student engagement through mentoring allows Alfred University to be a talent incubator and socioeconomic development engine,” he said.
Alfred Mayor Becky Prophet said there is nothing like the sum of the Alfreds anywhere in the U.S. — or perhaps the world.
“In this beautiful valley of Western New York, the word Alfred is applied to three communities that coalesce into a single multifaceted gem,” the mayor said. “The Village of Alfred, nestled between the two schools, makes an intersection and a gathering place for the valley.
“We are the most collegiate of all college towns,” Prophet said. “We are an excellent place to grow up. We are a fine place to raise a family. But most of all, Alfred is the best place to combine daily life and learning. In Alfred, we live to learn and learn to live for all of our lives.”
Following Alfred in the rankings is Prairie View, Texas, home of Prairie
View A&M University (77.8% of that community are students) with Slippery Rock, Pa. (Slippery Rock University, 67.3%) at No.
3; Cedarville, Ohio (Cedarville University, 67%) at No. 4; and Oxford, Ohio (Miami University, 62.3%) at No. 5.
The college town survey is rounded out by the top 25:
6. Colorado Springs, Colo., with the U.S. Air Force Academy
7. Potsdam with SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson University in Potsdam
8. Hamilton with Colgate University
9. Geneseo with SUNY Geneseo
10. Athens, Ohio, with Ohio University
11. Boone, N.C., with Appalachian State University
12. Delhi with SUNY Delhi
13. Middlebury, Vermont, with Middlebury College
14. Kutztown, Pa., with Kutztown University
15. Whitewater, Wis., University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
16. Pullman, Wash., with Washington State University
17. Raymond, Miss., with Hinds Community College
18. Canton with SUNY Canton and St. Lawrence University
19. Ada, Ohio, with Ohio Northern University
20. Dahlonega, Ga., with University of North Georgia
21. Cullowhee, N.C., with Western Carolina University
22. Cazenovia with Cazenovia College
23. Ithaca with Cornell University and Ithaca College
24. New Concord, Ohio, with Muskingum University
25. Lexington, Va., with Washington & Lee University and Virginia Military Institute
New York state is home to the most and highest-ranked Ultimate College Towns (St. Bonaventure University and the Allegany/Olean area did not make the list). The Post report shows that New York has a greater number of towns than any other state where students are more than half the local population. Five towns with the more than 50% mark are in New York. Ohio has three such college towns and Pennsylvania has two.
New York’s other Ultimate College Towns in the top 150 include 61. Oneonta (SUNY), 80. West Point (U.S. Military Academy), 88. Cobleskill (SUNY), 97. Red Hook (Bard College), 129. Dryden (SUNY Tompkins Cortland CC), 135. Brockport (SUNY) and 150. Cortland (SUNY).
SUNY originally coordinated all 64 locations for colleges and universities so that 93% of New Yorkers live within 15 miles of a higher education provider, and nearly 100% live within 30 miles.
The village of Alfred has been a town centered on education since 1836, according to Alfred State archives. A small school of higher education, sponsored by Seventhy Day Baptists, became Alfred University in 1856.
Alfred U, founded as a co-educational place of learning that embraced diversity with persons of both sexes and all races sharing classes, was imbued with the powerful progressive values of the mid-19th century.
Faculty and students hosted Frederick Douglass and leaders of the Women’s Suffrage movement. In 1900, with the creation of the New York State School of Clay Working at Alfred, the university added ceramic art and engineering colleges to the institution.
In 1908, the creation of an agriculture program and later the School for American Craftsmen expanded the educational opportunities for prospective students.
Alfred State College was spun off from the university in 1948 with the founding of the SUNY system, with programs based on agricultural, vocational and technical education.
HOUGHTON — Houghton University and Kingdom Bound Ministries have announced a partnership on an increased level for the Kingdom Bound 2023 summer music festival, held at Six Flags Darien Lake each year.
“Houghton is delighted to be the presenting sponsor for this year’s Kingdom Bound music festival,” Houghton President Wayne Lewis Jr. said. “Kingdom Bound Ministries’ mission to present the Gospel through a variety of art forms resonates with our 140-year mission at Houghton of equipping scholar servants to be champions for Christ, equipped to go into the world and fulfill the Great Commission through careers in ministry, business, the sciences and the arts.”
This year’s festival is July 24-26 and will feature nearly 50 leading Christian artists and speakers from
across the United States and Canada. The 2023 festival lineup includes Matthew West, The News boys, We The Kingdom, Skillet, Anne Wilson, and Cain, with many more to be announced. Visit www.
grateful for this new level of partnership that will support Kingdom Bound in fulfilling its mission to present the Gospel through the Arts and to see many come to Christ.
“Houghton University and Kingdom Bound have worked together for over two decades and we look forward to continued growth for both of our organizations through this newly expanded partnership.”
Houghton has been a longstanding partner of Kingdom Bound Ministries, serving as the main stage sponsor for many years. This year marks the first time that Houghton
Don’t miss the awe inspiring sight when more than 30 Hot Air Balloons take flight from Island Park and fill the sky in a delightful rainbow of color, while gracefully floating over The Genesee River and the beautiful green hills and fields of Wellsville and the surrounding communities.
