Wells, New York
Encyclopedia
Wells is a town
in Hamilton County
, New York
, United States
. The population was 737 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Joshua Wells, a land agent, who built the first mills in the area.
The Town of Wells is in the Adirondack Park and on the eastern border of the county. It is northwest of Schenectady
.
and was set off from parts of the Towns of Mayfield
and Northampton
of that county. The town was subsequently reduced by the formation of other towns in Hamilton County, to include Hope
(1818) and Long Lake
(1837). The Town of Gilman was reportedly named for settler John Gilman.
Elias P. Gilman petitioned the state and had surveys of Gilman made in 1838.) was taken from Wells in 1841, but much of that region was returned to Wells when Gilman was dissolved in 1860. Wells has been increased subsequent to its initial formation by parts of Mayfield (1812, 1816), Northampton (1816), and Lake Pleasant
(1858).
, the town has a total area of 178.4 square miles (462.1 km²), of which, 177.2 square miles (458.9 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (0.66%) is water.
The eastern town line is the border with Warren County
.
New York State Route 30
is a north-south highway. New York State Route 8
, an east-west highway, runs conjointly with NY-30 in the central part of Wells.
, set in the nearby village of Northville, New York
, but no filming took place in either location.
of 2000, there were 737 people, 322 households, and 205 families residing in the town. The population density
was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6/km²). There were 778 housing units at an average density of 4.4 per square mile (1.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.61% White, 0.54% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.14% from other races
, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.
There were 322 households out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,107, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $34,821 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $16,174. About 8.5% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
and Hope
. The Town of Arietta
is at the west border, and the Town of Lake Pleasant
is the northwest border. The Town of Indian Lake
is the north border. The Towns of Stony Creek
, Thurman
, and Johnsburg
in Warren County are to the east.
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
in Hamilton County
Hamilton County, New York
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. It is named after Alexander Hamilton, the only member of the New York State delegation who signed the United States Constitution in 1787 and later the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Its county seat is Lake Pleasant...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 737 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Joshua Wells, a land agent, who built the first mills in the area.
The Town of Wells is in the Adirondack Park and on the eastern border of the county. It is northwest of Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
.
History
The area was first settled around 1798. The town was formed in 1805 while still part of Fulton CountyFulton County, New York
Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,531. Its name is in honor of Robert Fulton, who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
and was set off from parts of the Towns of Mayfield
Mayfield (town), New York
Mayfield is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population of the town is 6,432 according to the 2000 US Census. The Town of Mayfield contains a village also called Mayfield...
and Northampton
Northampton, Fulton County, New York
Northampton is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 2,760 at the 2000 census. The name comes from an original land patent...
of that county. The town was subsequently reduced by the formation of other towns in Hamilton County, to include Hope
Hope, New York
Hope is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hope is in the southeast corner of the county and is northwest of Schenectady.- History :...
(1818) and Long Lake
Long Lake, New York
Long Lake is a town in Hamilton County, New York in the United States. The population was 852 at the 2000 census. The town is named for long Long Lake beside which it sits. The town is entirely within the Adirondack Park and is the most northerly town in the county. It is a summer tourism...
(1837). The Town of Gilman was reportedly named for settler John Gilman.
Elias P. Gilman petitioned the state and had surveys of Gilman made in 1838.) was taken from Wells in 1841, but much of that region was returned to Wells when Gilman was dissolved in 1860. Wells has been increased subsequent to its initial formation by parts of Mayfield (1812, 1816), Northampton (1816), and Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant, New York
Lake Pleasant is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 876 at the 2000 census. It contains the county seat of Hamilton County, which is also called Lake Pleasant....
(1858).
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 178.4 square miles (462.1 km²), of which, 177.2 square miles (458.9 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it (0.66%) is water.
The eastern town line is the border with Warren County
Warren County, New York
Warren County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. It is part of the Glens Falls, New York, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the population was 65,707. It is named in honor of General Joseph Warren, an American Revolutionary War hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill...
.
New York State Route 30
New York State Route 30
New York State Route 30 is a state highway in the central part of New York in the United States. It extends for from an interchange with NY 17 in the Southern Tier to the Canadian border in the state's North Country, where it continues into Quebec as Route 138. On a regional level,...
is a north-south highway. New York State Route 8
New York State Route 8
New York State Route 8 is a state highway in the central part of New York in the United States. It runs in a southwest-to-northeast direction from the Southern Tier to the northern part of Lake George. The southern terminus of the route is at an interchange with NY 17 in the town of...
, an east-west highway, runs conjointly with NY-30 in the central part of Wells.
Plane crash
A Massachusetts Air National Guard plane crash occurred on September 17, 1986 in Wells. Four planes were involved in the training mission and two of the four crashed into the Adirondack mountains killing one pilot and injuring the other. The crash is said to have been the inspiration for a two-part episode of The X-FilesThe X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, set in the nearby village of Northville, New York
Northville, Fulton County, New York
Northville is a village in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2000 census.The Village of Northville is in the northern part of the Town of Northampton and is northeast of Gloversville.-History:...
, but no filming took place in either location.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 737 people, 322 households, and 205 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4.2 people per square mile (1.6/km²). There were 778 housing units at an average density of 4.4 per square mile (1.7/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.61% White, 0.54% African American, 0.81% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.14% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.27% of the population.
There were 322 households out of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.2% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 22.5% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 22.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $29,107, and the median income for a family was $37,500. Males had a median income of $34,821 versus $24,250 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $16,174. About 8.5% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.8% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Wells
- Augur Falls – located north of the hamlet of Wells off rt 8 and 30, and four miles west of Griffin on an old wagon track.
- Blackbridge – A location on West River Road southwest of Wells village, on the north bank of the West Branch Sacandaga River.
- Gilmantown-- A hamletHamlet (place)A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
that was formerly part of the defunct Town of Gilman, located on a paved section of Gilmantown Road between SpeculatorSpeculator, New YorkSpeculator is a village in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 348 at the 2000 census. The village is named after a nearby Speculator Mountain....
and the hamlet of Wells. The community consists of a few houses on the main road and private drives. A small lake called Charley Lake is located here and another small lake, Gilman Lake, is north of the community. - Griffin – A hamlet on NY-8New York State Route 8New York State Route 8 is a state highway in the central part of New York in the United States. It runs in a southwest-to-northeast direction from the Southern Tier to the northern part of Lake George. The southern terminus of the route is at an interchange with NY 17 in the town of...
near the eastern town border and the East Branch Sacandaga River. - Pickleville – A former community, located north of Wells village.
- Pumpkin Hollow – A hamlet on Route 30New York State Route 30New York State Route 30 is a state highway in the central part of New York in the United States. It extends for from an interchange with NY 17 in the Southern Tier to the Canadian border in the state's North Country, where it continues into Quebec as Route 138. On a regional level,...
near the border with the Town of HopeHope, New YorkHope is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hope is in the southeast corner of the county and is northwest of Schenectady.- History :...
, east of the Sacandaga River. - Sacandaga RiverSacandaga RiverThe Sacandaga River is a river in the northern part of New York in the United States. Its name comes from the Native American Sa-chen-da'-ga, meaning "overflowed lands"....
– A river that flows through the town and village of Wells. The East Branch meets the Main Branch north of the Wells village, while the West Branch meets south of Wells village at the Sacandaga Campgrounds. The river empties into Great Sacandaga LakeGreat Sacandaga LakeThe Great Sacandaga Lake is a large lake situated in the Adirondack Park in northern New York in the United States. The word Sacandaga means "Land of the Waving Grass" in the local native language. The lake is located in the northern parts of Fulton County and Saratoga County near the south...
in Fulton CountyFulton County, New YorkFulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 55,531. Its name is in honor of Robert Fulton, who is widely credited with developing the first commercially successful steamboat...
. - Wells – The hamlet of Wells, located on NY-30 and Algonquin Lake, which is a widening of the main branch of the Sacandaga River, originally created by a dam that powered a veneer mill c. 1910. In 1913, the first known gas powered log hauler in the Adirondacks, a Lombard, was used by the veneer company between here and Speculator.
- Whitehouse – A location in the northwest corner of the town on West River Road and the north bank of the West Branch Sacandaga River. It is at the west end of West River Road and is regarded as an Adirondack ghost town.
- Windfall – A location northeast of Wells on Windfall
Adjacent towns and areas
The south border of Wells is formed by the Towns of BensonBenson, New York
Benson is a town in Hamilton County, New York, USA. The population was 201 at the 2000 census.The Town of Benson is on the south border of Hamilton County and is northwest of Schenectady.The current Town Supervisor is Ermina Pincombe.- History :...
and Hope
Hope, New York
Hope is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 392 at the 2000 census.The Town of Hope is in the southeast corner of the county and is northwest of Schenectady.- History :...
. The Town of Arietta
Arietta, New York
Arietta is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 293 at the 2000 census. The town was named after the mother of one of the first settlers, Rensselaer Van Rennslaer...
is at the west border, and the Town of Lake Pleasant
Lake Pleasant, New York
Lake Pleasant is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 876 at the 2000 census. It contains the county seat of Hamilton County, which is also called Lake Pleasant....
is the northwest border. The Town of Indian Lake
Indian Lake, New York
Indian Lake is a town in Hamilton County, New York, United States. The population was 1,471 at the 2000 census. The name is from a large lake partly inside the town.The Town of Indian Lake is on the east border of the county and is northeast of Utica....
is the north border. The Towns of Stony Creek
Stony Creek, New York
Stony Creek is a town in the southwest part of Warren County, New York, United States. It is northwest of the city of Glens Falls and is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 743 at the 2000 census. The town is named for a stream that flows through it...
, Thurman
Thurman, New York
Thurman is a town in the western part of Warren County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 1,199 at the 2000 census. The town is named after John Thurman, an early landowner...
, and Johnsburg
Johnsburg, New York
Johnsburg is a town in the northwest corner of Warren County, New York, United States. It is part of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The town population was 2,450 at the 2000 census. The town is named after John Thurman, an early settler and founder. Johnsburg is the largest town in...
in Warren County are to the east.