Cuba, New York

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Cuba, New York
CubaNewYork.jpg
Town center along Genesee Street
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Cuba
Location of Cuba in New York
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Cuba
Cuba (the United States)
Coordinates: 42°13′04″N78°16′31″W / 42.21778°N 78.27528°W / 42.21778; -78.27528
Country United States
State New York
County Allegany
Government
  Type Town Council
   Town Supervisor Lee James (R)
   Town Council
Members
Area
[1]
  Total35.80 sq mi (92.73 km2)
  Land35.10 sq mi (90.91 km2)
  Water0.70 sq mi (1.82 km2)
Population
 (2020) [2]
  Total3,126
  Estimate 
(2022) [3]
3,102
  Density89.06/sq mi (34.39/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
FIPS code 36-003-19367
Website https://www.cubany.org/

Cuba is a town on the western border of Allegany County, New York, United States. The village of Cuba lies within its borders. The federally recognized tribe of Seneca Native Americans has a reservation on the western town line. As of the 2020 Census, the total population was 3,154. [2]

Contents

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.8 square miles (93 km2), of which 35.1 square miles (91 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (1.95%) is water.

The west town line is the border of Cattaraugus County.

The Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17) pass through the town, running east–west. New York State Route 305 is a major north–south highway that intersects New York State Route 446 in the village of Cuba.

Cuba is on the main line of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad, which operates the former Erie Railroad between Hornell, New York and Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Communities and locations in the town of Cuba

Adjacent towns

Cuba is north of the town of Clarksville and south of the town of New Hudson. It is east of the town of Ischua in Cattaraugus County and west of the town of Friendship.

Etymology

John S. Minard's Civic History of Cuba, published in 1910, states:

"Cuba is a Roman word and means Goddess or Protector of the Young. So in all probability, the Legislators of 1822, when they set aside the township from the town of Friendship, by accident, stumbled upon the word and appropriated the name, the significance of which is pleasant to think of."

Simeon DeWitt, the surveyor general for New York State in the early 19th century, was an avid student of ancient Roman mythology and is credited with suggesting the name.

Though it may seem that the town was named after the island of Cuba, this is not the case. A common reason for this perception is the prevalence of other towns in the area with names of Spanish cities or towns, such as Salamanca, Panama, and Bolivar.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1830 1,059
1840 1,76866.9%
1850 2,24326.9%
1860 2,187−2.5%
1870 2,3979.6%
1880 2,203−8.1%
1890 2,3285.7%
1900 2,3691.8%
1910 2,4312.6%
1920 2,395−1.5%
1930 2,256−5.8%
1940 2,50711.1%
1950 2,78411.0%
1960 3,11611.9%
1970 3,1651.6%
1980 3,4288.3%
1990 3,401−0.8%
2000 3,392−0.3%
2010 3,243−4.4%
2020 3,154−2.7%
2022 (est.)3,102 [3] −1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [4]

As of the census [5] of 2000, there were 3,392 people, 1,336 households, and 915 families residing in the town. The population density was 96.6 inhabitants per square mile (37.3/km2). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 48.7 per square mile (18.8/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population.

There were 1,336 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,939, and the median income for a family was $37,969. Males had a median income of $29,291 versus $21,115 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,247. About 6.0% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over.

History

The Town of Cuba was formed in 1822 from part of the town of Friendship. In 1830, Cuba was reduced by the formation of the town of Genesee. In 1835, Cuba was partitioned again to form the town of Clarksville. [6]

Formerly known as Township 3 Range 2 of the Holland Land Purchase, [6] the settlement of Cuba began in 1817, and the town was separated in 1822, and a village incorporated in 1850. Between 1810 and the late 1820s the place saw a boom in both settlement and population as many of the town's first businesses, churches and schools were established.

Business

Cheese

Starting in the 1870s, Cuba was a notable cheese producing town in New York. Part of the reason for why Cuba was so important in the cheese trade was its location on railroads making access from New York City easy. [7] In the early 20th century, Cuba was known as the "Cheese Capital of the World". [8]

Points of interest

Cuba Lake

Cuba Lake is a man-made lake located about two miles (3.2 km) north of the village at 1,542 feet (470 m) above sea level. [9] It is the highest reservoir in Allegany County and the sixth-highest in western New York State. It was constructed in 1858 at a cost of $150,000, as a reservoir to feed the Genesee Valley Canal. At the time of its construction, Cuba Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world. The lake contains many game fish including bass, walleye, and northern pike.

Today, the lake mainly serves as a source of recreation for locals. It is surrounded by over 300 homes, many of which are year-round dwellings. The road surrounding the lake is about seven miles (11 km) in length and very narrow.

The Seneca Oil Spring

The Seneca Oil Spring is located near the spillway end of Cuba Lake on the Oil Springs Reservation in Allegany County. This is the site of a famed spring described by the Franciscan Missionary Joseph de La Roche Daillon in 1627, the first recorded mention of oil on the North American Continent. In 1927, the New York State Oil Producers Association sponsored the dedication of a monument at the site describing the history of the oil industry in North America. The site is now under the supervision of Allegany County and a picnic area is available for those visiting there.

McKinney Stables

The McKinney Stables McKinney Stables, Cuba, New York - 20200719.jpg
The McKinney Stables

Cuba is also home to the McKinney Stables of Empire City Farms, which the locals call the Block Barn, on Route 305 south of the Historic District. Constructed in 1909, this structure, which is made almost entirely of cement, is nearly 350 feet (110 m) long and is completely fireproof. It was built to house William Simpson's "McKinney" horses. It has been a popular stable and the Czar of Russia sent a mare there to be mated with "Mckinney". It was once considered by the Anheuser Busch company as a spot to house its famous Clydesdales. Each year in September it hosts the Cuba Garlic Festival.

The stables were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. [10]

Education

Local schools

The main high school in Cuba is Cuba-Rushford Middle High School, which formed after a merger of the Cuba and Rushford school districts. The Middle High School sits north of the town on Route 305 and teaches grades 6-12. What is known as the "Old" High School on Elm Street now teaches grades K-5; the "Old" Elementary School across the street is now the Elm Street Academy, part of a BOCES program. The mascot of Cuba was the Greyhounds until the merger in the mid-1990s when the mascot was renamed to the Rebels. The Rebel's mascot resembles Yosemite Sam, with slight variations in the character design in order to avoid copyright issues.

Higher education

West of Cuba, between the village of Allegany and the city of Olean, is St. Bonaventure University (SBU); SBU's campus is located on the Olean/Allegany border. Some of SBU's teams, such as the basketball and baseball teams, play in the Atlantic 10 Conference of NCAA Division 1.

Several of the State University of New York campuses are near Cuba. Olean is home to a Jamestown Community College satellite campus. About 30 miles (48 km) east of Cuba in Alfred are Alfred University and Alfred State College. About 20 miles (32 km) north of Cuba, in Houghton, is Houghton College.

Churches

Cemeteries

Code numbers refer to the Allegany County Cemetery Index card file at the Allegany County. [11]

Notable people

Related Research Articles

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

Allegany County is a county in the Southern Tier of the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 46,456. Its county seat is Belmont. Its name derives from a Lenape word, applied by European-American settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River; they also named the county after this.

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

Cattaraugus County is a county in Western New York, with one side bordering Pennsylvania. As of the United States 2020 census, the population was 77,042. The county seat is Little Valley. The county was created in 1808 and later organized in 1817.

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

Clarksville is a town located in Allegany County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the town had a total population of 982. The town is named after S.N. Clark, an agent of the Holland Land Company.

Genesee is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,653 at the 2020 census. Genesee is in the southwestern corner of the county, southeast of Olean.

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

Rushford is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,085 at the 2020 census. Rushford is in the northwest part of Allegany County and is northeast of Olean.

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

Hinsdale is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 2,119 at the 2020 census. The town was named after Hinsdale in New Hampshire.

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

IschuaISH-way is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 736 at the 2020 census. Ischua is also the name of a hamlet in the town. The town is on the eastern border of the county, north of Olean.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oil Springs Reservation</span> Indian Reservation

Oil Springs Reservation or Oil Spring Reservation is an Indian reservation of the federally recognized Seneca Nation that is located in southwestern New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the Indian reservation had one resident; in 2005 no tribal members had lived on the property. The reservation covers about one square mile (2.6 km2), divided between the present-day counties of Allegany and Cattaraugus. The reservation is northwest of the village of Cuba. It is bordered by the Town of Cuba and the Town of Ischua.

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

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cuba (village), New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Cuba is a village in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 1,575 at the 2010 census. The village is in the western part of the town of Cuba at the junction of Routes 305 and 446 on Oil Creek.

Allegany is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 7,493 at the 2020 census.

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

Olean is a city in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of Western New York.

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Portville is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 3,504 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from the town's early role in shipping lumber and other items down the Allegheny River. It was formed in 1837 from the town of Olean.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 305</span> State highway in New York, US

New York State Route 305 (NY 305) is a north–south route in the Southern Tier that runs from the Pennsylvania state line in Cattaraugus County to the hamlet of Belfast in Allegany County, where it ends at NY 19. It intersects the Southern Tier Expressway in Cuba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 446</span> State highway in the Southern Tier of New York, U.S.

New York State Route 446 (NY 446) is a state highway in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. The highway extends for 6.76 miles (10.88 km) on a northeast–southwest alignment from an intersection with NY 16 north of the hamlet of Hinsdale to a junction with NY 305 in the village of Cuba. It parallels the Southern Tier Expressway very closely for its entire length. NY 446 was originally designated as part of Route 4, an unsigned legislative route, in 1908. The Hinsdale–Cuba highway received its first posted designation in 1924 when it was included as part of NY 17. It was renumbered twice, becoming part of NY 63 in 1930 and NY 408 in the 1940s, before gaining its current designation on July 1, 1974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Route 417</span> East-west state highway in New York, US

New York State Route 417 (NY 417) is an east–west state highway located in the Southern Tier of New York in the United States. It begins at exit 20 of the Southern Tier Expressway in the city of Salamanca and ends at a junction with NY 415 in Painted Post, west of the city of Corning. At 105.25 miles (169.38 km) in length, NY 417 is the longest of the state highways that were formerly part of NY 17 before the construction of the Southern Tier Expressway. It also diverges the most from the current NY 17, coming within 100 feet (30 m) of the Pennsylvania state line at one intersection.

References

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Cuba town, Allegany County, New York". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2022". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  4. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. 1 2 Minard, John Stearns; Merrill, Georgia Drew (1896). "Cuba". Allegany County and its People: A Centennial Memorial History of Allegany County, New York. W. A. Fergusson & Company. pp. 813–814. Retrieved December 5, 2016.
  7. Ross, Kathryn. "Cuba – 'So We Proudly Hail'". The Spectator. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  8. Potter, Chris (June 8, 2021). "'We're not leaving': Cuba Cheese Shoppe presses on as nearby cheese plant plans move". Hornell Evening Tribune. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  9. "Cuba Lake". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior . Retrieved December 3, 2016.
  10. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  11. Historical Society and FHL/FHC microfilm. See WNYGS Journal, Vol. II, No. 1
  12. "Charley Ackerly". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  13. "Previous IRS Commissioners (1862-1955)". irs.gov. Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  14. "Death of William Orton". New York Times. April 23, 1878. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  15. "Edward Butterfield Vreeland". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved May 1, 2012.
  16. Northrup, Cynthia Clark (2003). The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 9. ISBN   1-57607--866-3.