Bemus Point, New York

Last updated

Bemus Point, New York
BemusPoint.jpg
From right to left: Village Casino, Stow Ferry landing, The Fish Restaurant
Motto: 
Meet Us in the Middle
USA New York location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Bemus Point
Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 42°9′46″N79°23′28″W / 42.16278°N 79.39111°W / 42.16278; -79.39111
Country United States
State New York
County Chautauqua
Town Ellery
Government
   Mayor Jeffrey Molnar (R)
Area
[1]
  Total0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2)
  Land0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2)
  Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,322 ft (403 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total306
  Density730.31/sq mi (281.72/km2)
  [2]
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
14712
Area code 716
FIPS code 36-05848
GNIS feature ID0943649
Website bemuspointny.org

Bemus Point is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The village is within the town of Ellery and is located along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake. The population was 312 at the 2020 census. [2]

Contents

Geography

Bemus Point is located along the southwestern edge of the town of Ellery, on the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake at 42°9′46″N79°23′28″W / 42.16278°N 79.39111°W / 42.16278; -79.39111 (42.162886, -79.391230). [3] The village is immediately north of the location where Interstate 86 crosses Chautauqua Lake. Access to the village is from exits 9 and 10.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.44 square miles (1.13 km2), all land. [4]

History

The area currently known as Bemus Point was once part of the territory of the Erielhonan or Erie People Indigenous tribe, first colonized by William Bemus in 1806. Bemus had purchased land on both sides of Chautauqua Lake from the Holland Land Company in 1805 for $1.50. He moved his family to the east side of the lake (in the area now known as Bemus Point) on March 9, 1806. The Bemus family lived in a log cabin approximately 500 to 660 feet (150 to 200 m) northeast of the current ferry landing site. Bemus descendants still reside on original family property along Lakeside Drive north of Bemus Street. [5]

The village of Bemus Point was incorporated in 1911.

A ferry connecting Bemus Point and Stow was founded in 1811 by Thomas Bemus. The original ferry was a raft built by Thomas and had to be poled across the lake. [5] Today, a cable-drawn ferry exists in its place and is operated by the Sea Lion Project. [6] Until the nearby bridge (now part of I-86) opened October 30, 1982, the Bemus-Stow Ferry was the only way to cross Chautauqua Lake. When closed for the winter months, motorists had to travel northwest to Mayville or southeast to Jamestown to reach Stow. Either way was a 19-mile (31 km) round trip. Residents often purchased a seasonal pass to use the ferry, commuting to Lakewood, Sherman, or other areas west of the lake.

Throughout the 1800s, Bemus Point gained popularity as a tourist destination, which promoted its growth and development. By the early 1900s, a dance hall known as the Village Casino, which still exists under the same name, became a well-known venue for entertainment, particularly big band music. [5]

Bemus Point hosted the "Bemus Bay Pops" concert, which involved many local musicians, and was also host to the "Chautauqua Lake Voices", similar to American Idol .

The village volunteer fire department was chartered in 1920 and began its operations with a Model T fire truck. Today, the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department continues to serve the village's residents and the surrounding community.

Today, Bemus Point is still a popular summer tourist destination, with a large influx of summer visitors.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1920 227
1930 28023.3%
1940 2903.6%
1950 42446.2%
1960 4434.5%
1970 4879.9%
1980 444−8.8%
1990 383−13.7%
2000 340−11.2%
2010 3647.1%
2020 312−14.3%
2021 (est.)310 [2] −0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

As of the census [8] of 2000, there were 340 people, 170 households, and 95 families residing in the village. The population density was 850.0 inhabitants per square mile (328.2/km2). There were 218 housing units at an average density of 545.0 per square mile (210.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 97.65% White, 0.88% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.

There were 170 households, of which 18.8% had children under 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 38.8% of all households comprised individuals, and 24.7% had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.65.

The village's population was spread out, with 17.6% under 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,943. About 3.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

As of the Census of 2010, there were 364 people (an increase of 24 people or 7.06%) and 170 households in the village. The population density was 910.0 inhabitants per square mile (351.4/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 96.43% (351 people) white, 2.20% (8 people) Asian, 0.28% (1 person) other, and 1.10% (4 people) of two or more races. The Hispanic/Latino population of any race was 0.28% (1 person).

The population was spread out, with 19.23% (70 people) under the age of 18, 2.20% (8 people) ages 18 and 19, 3.02% (11 people) ages 20–24, 4.40% (16 people) ages 25–34, 19.78% (72 people) ages 35–49, 25.55% (93 people) ages 50–64, and 25.82% (94 people) over the age of 65. The male population comprised 46.43% (169 people) of the total population, and the female population comprised 53.57% of the total population. [9]

Education

Schools

The village is within the Bemus Point Central School District (BPCSD).

Community

Bemus Point has a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts, a park, and a free boat launch. The village's school district, Bemus Point Central School District, is home to the Red Dragons of Maple Grove High School, who have won two New York State football championships and three state championships in women's cross country (2010, 2011, 2012).

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Lake, Missouri</span> Village in Missouri, United States

Big Lake is a village in Holt County, Missouri, United States. The population was 65 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busti, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Busti is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 7,521 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Paul Busti, an official of the Holland Land Company, but its pronunciation uses a long i sound at the end, a frequent alteration in the names of several upstate New York towns. It has frequently been noted on lists of unusual place names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chautauqua, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Chautauqua is a town and lake resort community in Chautauqua County, New York. The population was 4,009 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Chautauqua Lake. It is the home of the Chautauqua Institution and the birthplace of the Chautauqua movement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellery, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Ellery is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States, located northwest of Jamestown and with an extended lakefront on the east side of Chautauqua Lake. In the 2020 census, Ellery had a population of 4,105.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellicott, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Ellicott is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 8,771 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Joseph Ellicott, an agent of the Holland Land Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Forestville, New York</span> Hamlet and CDP in New York, United States

Forestville is a hamlet in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 697 at the 2010 census. The hamlet is within the town of Hanover and in the northeast part of the county. It was an incorporated village from 1848 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerry, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Gerry is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 1,789 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Elbridge Gerry, the fifth Vice President of the United States. The town is centrally located in the county and is north of Jamestown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kiantone, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Kiantone is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a population of 1,388. The town is immediately south of Jamestown and is at the south border of the county and the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayville, New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Mayville is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 1,477 at the 2020 census, 13.7% less than in the 2010 census. Mayville is in the town of Chautauqua and is the county seat of Chautauqua County. The village and town offices share a building on Main Street, directly across from the Chautauqua County courthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Harmony, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

North Harmony is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 2,182 at the 2020 census. The town is on the west side of Chautauqua Lake. The shore of the lake is the location of many summer resort communities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portland, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Portland is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 4,366 according to the 2020 census. The town is on the shore of Lake Erie southwest of Dunkirk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheridan, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Sheridan is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 2,563 at the 2020 census. The town is on the county's northern border, east of Dunkirk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sinclairville, New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Sinclairville is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 578 at the 2020 census. The village is named after Major Samuel Sinclear, its founder. Sinclairville is north of Jamestown and is on the border of the towns of Charlotte and Gerry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silver Lake, Ohio</span> Village in Ohio, United States

Silver Lake is a village in Summit County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,516 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of Akron and is part of the Akron metropolitan area. Silver Lake is between and surrounded by the cities of Stow and Cuyahoga Falls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frederic, Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Frederic is a village in Polk County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,137 at the 2010 census. It was established as a village in 1901.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cattaraugus Reservation, Erie County, New York</span> Indian reservation in New York, US

Cattaraugus Reservation is an Indian reservation located partly in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 1,833 at the 2010 census.

Perrysburg is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 1,515 at the 2020 census. The town is named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and is located in the northwest corner of the county. The town contains the census-designated place also named Perrysburg, formerly an incorporated village.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherry Creek (hamlet), New York</span> Hamlet and CDP in New York, United States

Cherry Creek is a hamlet in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 461 at the 2010 census, when it was an incorporated village. The hamlet is within the town of Cherry Creek near the east border of the county. It is located on New York State Route 83 and a stream called Cherry Creek.

Lakewood is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 2,993 at the 2020 census. The village is in the northern part of the town of Busti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkwright, New York</span> Town in New York, United States

Arkwright is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 1,000. The town is named after Richard Arkwright, the inventor of a spinning device.

References

  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Bureau, US Census. "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  3. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bemus Point village, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 History of Bemus Point Archived December 21, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Sea Lion Project Ltd. Archived June 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  7. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  8. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. "2010 U.S. Census". Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Welcome to the Bemus Point Central School District" . Retrieved March 15, 2009.