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Dunkirk, New York Chadwicks Bay, Ganadawao [1] | |
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Coordinates: 42°28′46″N79°20′02″W / 42.47944°N 79.33389°W [1] | |
Country | United States |
State | New York |
County | Chautauqua |
Government | |
• Type | Mayor-Council |
• Mayor | Kate Wdowiasz (D) |
• Common Council | Members |
Area | |
• Total | 4.57 sq mi (11.83 km2) |
• Land | 4.54 sq mi (11.77 km2) |
• Water | 0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
Elevation | 617 ft (188 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,743 |
• Density | 2,803.74/sq mi (1,082.59/km2) |
ZIP Code | 14048 |
Area code | 716 |
FIPS code | 36-013-21105 |
Website | dunkirktoday |
Dunkirk is a city in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. It was settled around 1805 and incorporated in 1880. [3] The population was 12,743 as of the 2020 census. [4] Dunkirk is bordered on the north by Lake Erie. It shares a border with the village of Fredonia to the south, and with the town of Dunkirk to the east and west. Dunkirk is the westernmost city in the state of New York. [5]
The Iroquoian languages-speaking Erie people occupied this area of the forested lakefront along the southern shore of Lake Erie well into the 1600s, when Europeans, mostly French, started trading around the Great Lakes. They were pushed out by the Seneca people, one of the Five Nations of the powerful Iroquois League, based here and further east in New York. [6] [7] The European-American demarcation and settlement of Chadwick Bay and subsequent naming of Dunkirk - after Dunkirk in France [8] - began in earnest in 1826. [9]
The Dunkirk Lighthouse at Point Gratiot was built soon after and still stands. Dunkirk served as a minor railroad hub and steamship port on Lake Erie into the early 1900s. Both freight and passenger ships traveled the lakes. [7]
The city has been the site of the Chautauqua County Fair during the summer for more than 140 years, with the fairgrounds in use for sporadic events and functions at other points in the year.
A major employer in Dunkirk in the second half of the 19th century was Brooks Locomotive Works, founded in 1869 by Horatio G. Brooks. [10] The Brooks plant built almost 4,000 steam locomotives, for which they won several awards at international exhibitions, [11] [12] and a few of their locomotives were hailed as the fastest and largest locomotives in the world. [13] [14] Brooks Locomotive Works was merged into American Locomotive Company in 1901. [15] The homestead of Horatio G. Brooks became the Brooks Memorial Hospital following a donation by Brooks's daughter in 1898. [16] [17]
The city thrived as a steel town for Roebling and others through the 1950s. In addition, it was a manufacturing leader with Plymouth Tube and Ralston Purina. Its coal-burning Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation plant provided power for the region. The plant was mothballed in 2016, negatively impacting Dunkirk's tax base. NRG Energy acquired the plant and proceeded with plans to convert it from coal-burning to run on natural gas. [18] Since the 1970s, population has declined following a regional drop in manufacturing as the steel industry and other restructured. Overall employment has declined in the area.
Dunkirk gained international recognition in 1946 for the Dunkirk-to-Dunkerque campaign. It was a humanitarian assistance program for its namesake and sister city, Dunkerque, France, which had been devastated in World War II. Dunkirk-to-Dunkerque became the model for similar relief efforts in cities elsewhere in the United States. [19]
Beginning in the 1980s, the city refocused its economic efforts on revitalizing its pier [20] and fishing, to improve the quality of life for residents and attract more tourists. In addition, in 2016 it attracted a high-tech drug manufacturing project as part of business related to the state project of area investment called the "Buffalo Billion." [21]
In 2016, Willie Rosas, a former law enforcement officer, became the first Hispanic to be elected mayor in the State of New York. [22]
Dunkirk lies on the southeastern shore of Lake Erie and is 45 miles (72 km) southwest of Buffalo.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 4.6 square miles (11.8 km2), of which 4.5 square miles (11.7 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 1.10%, is water. [4]
Climate data for Dunkirk, New York (Dunkirk Chautauqua Airport) 1981–2010, extremes 1945–present | |||||||||||||
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Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 72 (22) | 71 (22) | 81 (27) | 92 (33) | 95 (35) | 96 (36) | 99 (37) | 98 (37) | 96 (36) | 90 (32) | 82 (28) | 71 (22) | 99 (37) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 33.6 (0.9) | 35.1 (1.7) | 43.1 (6.2) | 55.4 (13.0) | 66.3 (19.1) | 75.9 (24.4) | 79.9 (26.6) | 78.7 (25.9) | 71.7 (22.1) | 60.3 (15.7) | 49.7 (9.8) | 38.4 (3.6) | 57.5 (14.2) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 26.2 (−3.2) | 27.2 (−2.7) | 34.4 (1.3) | 45.7 (7.6) | 56.2 (13.4) | 66.3 (19.1) | 70.9 (21.6) | 69.5 (20.8) | 62.9 (17.2) | 52.0 (11.1) | 42.4 (5.8) | 31.0 (−0.6) | 49.0 (9.4) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 18.9 (−7.3) | 19.3 (−7.1) | 25.6 (−3.6) | 36.0 (2.2) | 46.1 (7.8) | 56.8 (13.8) | 62.0 (16.7) | 60.4 (15.8) | 54.0 (12.2) | 43.7 (6.5) | 35.2 (1.8) | 23.6 (−4.7) | 40.5 (4.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −16 (−27) | −20 (−29) | −11 (−24) | 8 (−13) | 27 (−3) | 39 (4) | 45 (7) | 43 (6) | 32 (0) | 22 (−6) | 3 (−16) | −12 (−24) | −20 (−29) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 1.93 (49) | 1.30 (33) | 1.94 (49) | 3.12 (79) | 3.70 (94) | 3.39 (86) | 4.08 (104) | 3.79 (96) | 4.11 (104) | 3.86 (98) | 3.90 (99) | 2.83 (72) | 37.95 (963) |
Source 1: NOAA [23] [24] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: The Weather Channel [25] |
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1870 | 5,231 | — | |
1880 | 7,248 | 38.6% | |
1890 | 9,416 | 29.9% | |
1900 | 11,616 | 23.4% | |
1910 | 17,221 | 48.3% | |
1920 | 19,336 | 12.3% | |
1930 | 17,802 | −7.9% | |
1940 | 17,713 | −0.5% | |
1950 | 18,007 | 1.7% | |
1960 | 18,205 | 1.1% | |
1970 | 16,855 | −7.4% | |
1980 | 15,310 | −9.2% | |
1990 | 13,989 | −8.6% | |
2000 | 13,131 | −6.1% | |
2010 | 12,563 | −4.3% | |
2020 | 12,743 | 1.4% | |
U.S. Decennial Census [26] |
As of the census [27] of 2010, there were 12,563 people, 5,477 households, and 3,690 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,774.6 people per square mile (1,119.2 per km2). There were 6,071 housing units at an average density of 1,340.6 per square mile (517.4 per km2). The city's racial makeup of the city was 65.70% White, 5.1% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.50 Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 9.14% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 26.40% of the population.
There were 5,477 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,313, and the median income for a family was $35,058. Males had a median income of $29,462 versus $21,682 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,482. About 18.5% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.0% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.
The Chautauqua County/Dunkirk Airport, in the town of Dunkirk, provides training facilities and charter services. [29]
Freight railroad service in Dunkirk is provided by CSX Transportation (via the Buffalo-Cleveland-Willard (Ohio)-Chicago Main Line) and Norfolk Southern Railway (Buffalo-Cleveland-Fort Wayne-Chicago Main Line). The Lake Shore Limited daily Amtrak passenger train passes through the city but does not stop. Erie Railroad and New York Central trains stopped at one station. Nickel Plate and Pennsylvania Railroad trains stopped at another station. [30] [31] As recently as 1968 the New York Central operated a Buffalo-Chicago daytime train, #51, the former Empire State Express, that made a stop westbound in Dunkirk. Two other daily trains eastbound stopped in Dunkirk, #64 and #90, the former Chicagoan. [32] In the late 1990s Amtrak considered adding the city as a stop between Buffalo and Erie. Dunkirk was listed as a stop with service "to commence on a date to be announced" on several timetables, but the stop was never added. [33]
The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) passes through the southern edge of the city, with access from Exit 59 (NY Route 60) just east of the city limits. The Thruway leads northeast 42 miles (68 km) to the outskirts of Buffalo and southwest 28 miles (45 km) to the Pennsylvania border. New York State Route 5 runs through the center of the city, leading northeast 9 miles (14 km) to Silver Creek and southwest 18 miles (29 km) to Westfield. New York State Route 60 runs from Dunkirk south, heading toward Jamestown, New York.
The city of Dunkirk has its own police force under the leadership of Police Chief David Ortolano. It employs full-time officers and part-time dispatchers for the police department only.
Dunkirk has a paid fire department under the leadership of Fire Chief Mike Edwards. There are three stations throughout the city staffed by the cities 24 Firefighter/EMT's. The firefighters belong to IAFF Local 616, the union for the city's firefighters.
As of 2011, Dunkirk Fire started handling 90 percent of EMS transports and billing accordingly. Alstar Ambulance still has a reduced contract with the city for advanced life support when needed. In recent years, Dunkirk Fire's dispatching merged with the county dispatch center in Mayville but still maintains its FCC ID of KED 653.
Alstar Ambulance has its north county satellite station on Monroe Street in Dunkirk just southwest of NY 60. Dispatching is still controlled by the main station in Jamestown via MEDCOM. Several transportable units are housed here. There is a fenced-in and pre-lit landing pad on the property for any medevac needing to use the landing pad.
This section needs additional citations for verification .(January 2021) |
Chautauqua County is the westernmost county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2020 census, the population was 127,657. Its county seat is Mayville, and its largest city is Jamestown. Its name is believed to be the lone surviving remnant of the Erie language, a tongue lost in the 17th century Beaver Wars; its meaning is unknown and a subject of speculation. The county was created in 1808 and organized in 1811. The county is part of the Western New York region of the state.
Brocton is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The name was derived by combining the names "Brockway" and "Minton", two prominent local families. The population was 1,335 at the 2020 census. Brocton is within the town of Portland.
Fredonia is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 9,871 as of the 2020 census. Fredonia is in the town of Pomfret south of Lake Erie. The village is the home of the State University of New York at Fredonia.
Jamestown is a city in southern Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 28,712 at the 2020 census. Situated between Lake Erie to the north and the Allegheny National Forest to the south, Jamestown is the largest city in the county. Nearby Chautauqua Lake is a freshwater resource used by fishermen, boaters, and naturalists.
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.
Pomfret is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 13,236 at the 2020 census. The town lies in the north-central part of the county, south of Dunkirk, and includes the village of Fredonia.
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.
Silver Creek is a village in the town of Hanover in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the village had a population of 2,637. Silver Creek is named after a small creek which runs through the village. It is on the shore of Lake Erie.
Dunkirk is a town in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 1,257 at the 2020 census.
Westfield is a town in the western part of Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The population was 4,513 at the 2020 census. Westfield is also the name of a village within the town, containing 65% of the town's population. This unique town is accompanied by vineyards, gorges and historical buildings.
The Lake Shore Limited is an overnight passenger train operated by Amtrak between Chicago and the Northeastern United States, with sections to New York City and Boston. The central segment of the route runs along the southern shore of Lake Erie.
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in the Northeastern United States, originally connecting Pavonia Terminal in Jersey City, New Jersey, with Lake Erie at Dunkirk, New York. The railroad expanded west to Chicago following its 1865 merger with the former Atlantic and Great Western Railroad, also known as the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio Railroad.
The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, also sometimes referred to as New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad, Susie-Q or the Susquehanna, is a Class II American freight railway operating over 400 miles (645 km) of track in three Northeastern states, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
The Brooks Locomotive Works manufactured railroad steam locomotives and freight cars from 1869 through its merger into the American Locomotive Company (ALCO) in 1901.
Horatio G. Brooks worked as chief engineer for the New York and Erie Railroad (NY&E) until the railroad moved its steam locomotive maintenance facilities from Dunkirk, New York, to Buffalo. In 1869 he leased the former NY&E shops in Dunkirk and formed Brooks Locomotive Works. Brooks also served for three terms as mayor of Dunkirk. He was a leading figure in the business and social life of the area around Dunkirk, and western New York state.
New York State Route 60 (NY 60) is a north–south state highway in Chautauqua County, New York, in the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at an intersection with U.S. Route 62 (US 62) south of the city of Jamestown in the town of Kiantone. Its northern terminus is at a junction with NY 5 in the city of Dunkirk. In between, NY 60 intersects the lengthy County Route 380 (CR 380) in Kiantone and Gerry, the Southern Tier Expressway in Ellicott, and the New York State Thruway (I-90) in the town of Dunkirk.
The Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley and Pittsburgh Railroad is a historic railroad company that operated in Pennsylvania and New York.
The Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad is a short-line railroad that operates freight trains in Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania. The company is controlled by the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville Railroad, with which it does not connect. It started operations in 2001 on the Southern Tier Extension, a former Erie Railroad line between Hornell, New York and Corry, Pennsylvania, owned by the public Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and Steuben Southern Tier Extension Railroad Authority (STERA).
Jamestown station is a historic train station located at Jamestown in Chautauqua County, New York. Although no longer an active railroad station due to a lack of passenger service in the area after a restoration done in 2011 the building currently serves as a bus transportation center and community space for Jamestown. The first train arrived at Jamestown on August 25, 1860 as part of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad.
Corning was a major station along the Erie Railroad, located on the Susquehanna Division of the main line. Located originally in downtown Corning, New York, the station first opened on the line in January 1850, with the completion of the New York and Erie Railroad from Piermont in Rockland County to Dunkirk in Chautauqua County. The first depot at Corning was built in 1861 and located at the intersection of Erie Avenue and Pine Street in Corning. The station lasted at this location until 1952, when construction of a new track bypass of Corning began. The newer depot opened on November 21, 1952. This new station was located at the junction of West Sycamore Street and North Bridge Street on the north side of Corning.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Average speed 72.92 miles an hour. Maximum speed 92.3 miles an hour.