Wilson, New York - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Wilson is a village

Village

A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...

in Niagara County

Niagara County, New York

Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...

, 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 1,213 at the 2000 census. The village is said to be named after Luther Wilson. It is part of the Buffalo

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...

–Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area

The Buffalo-Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area, designated by the United States Census Bureau, encompassing two counties – Erie and Niagara – in Western New York, with a population, as of the 2010 census, of 1,135,509 inhabitants...

.

The Village of Wilson is within the Town of Wilson

Wilson (town), New York

Wilson is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 5,993 at the 2010 census. The town is said to be named after an early settler....

in the northern part of the county. It was incorporated on May 11, 1858. The village has a small boat harbor for Lake Ontario that includes several marinas and boat launching facilities. Wilson Harbor and its surrounding area boasts some of the best bass, trout, and salmon fishing in Western New York.

History

The Village of Wilson was incorporated in 1858. It was named for Luther Wilson, the son of Reuben Wilson, who was the founder of the town of Wilson. Luther Wilson's first claim to ingenuity may have occurred during the War of 1812 when he was only 14 years of age. According to early accounts, George Ash, who lived west of the Wilson settlement, warned the settlers that the British were coming, thus giving them time to gather their things and flee. About 25 head of cattle were rounded up, and Luther Wilson was given the responsibility of driving them eastward along the lake, some had cow bells around their necks, so in order to keep invaders from hearing them, he stuffed dry leaves in the bells. He was then able to drive the cattle five miles (8 km) beyond Van Horne's Mill where they remained undetected. After the British burned down the mill and retreated, Luther drove the cattle back to Wilson. When Luther reached maturity, he became the business genius of the family, with an untiring energy and spirit, he started most of the public improvements in town.

In 1827, he started the hamlet of Wilson, NY by laying out a single tier of lots along the north side of Young Street from Lake Street to the Creek. In 1829, a tavern was added to his father's store and post office at the west end of Young Street which was often visited by the early settlers and soldiers from Old Fort Niagara. In 1834, Luther and his father built the cobblestone "Ontario House" on the southwest corner of Young and Lake streets, and up to 1894 (when it was destroyed by fire), it was considered one of Wilson's oldest and best known hostelries. On December 28, 1835, Luther was elected one of the trustees of the first Methodist-Episcopal Society in the town of Wilson at a meeting held to incorporate it. In 1838, a new frame church was built at the corner of Lake and High streets on land acquired from Andrew Brown. Up to 1837, Luther helped his father as a merchant and miller, and in that same year, enlarged the grist mill by adding steam power and two more run of stones. In 1844-45, Luther built an attractive cobblestone home on the site of the first log school-house built in the village in 1820. The beautiful historic home today is the "Wilson House." It was during this year that Luther was elected to a term in the state assembly.

In 1846, Luther Wilson established the harbor and obtained permission from the Secretary of War to build two 200 feet (61 m) piers into the lake at the mouth of 12 miles (19.3 km) creek. For the next 20 years, at his own expense, he dredged the channel by the use of horsepower, and continued to make improvements until 1867 when the Wilson Harbor Company was incorporated. Other improvements included a large store house where he began buying and shipping grain and fruit. He also built a new shipyard where he built the schooner, Reuben F. Wilson, which he named for his son. That was the start of a new industry in Wilson. Up to 1875, about 20 two-and-three-masted schooners were built at the harbor by itinerant contractors. Luther was also responsible for having Congress declare Wilson a Port of Entry in 1848 and Abram Vosburgh was named the first collector.

The village of Wilson was incorporated May 11, 1858 by an act of the state legislature. At the time, it included 416 acres (1.7 km²) within its borders and a population of 715 persons. Luther was elected to serve as the first president of the Board of Directors. When the R.W. & O. Railroad came through Wilson in 1875, it was surveyed through the center of Wilson's former cemetery which was located directly east of present depot-museum. Luther donated 8 acres (32,374.9 m²) of land near 12 miles (19.3 km) creek for a new cemetery. When his remains, among others were removed from the burial site, they were placed in the new "Greenwood Cemetery." Luther was interested in the military, and for a number of years served as a captain of the Wilson Artillery Company of the 66th regiment, New York State Militia.

He was associated with the work of the Methodist-Episcopal church in Wilson, but also gave land on which the first frame Presbyterian Church, first Baptist Church and North Ridge Methodist-Episcopal churches were built. Luther Wilson was said to be loved and respected by all. He died in Wilson in 1890 at the age of 92. He was interred in the cemetery that he started - Greenwood.

In the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

, a Wilson native, Ira S. Pettit, enlisted for the Union Army. He died in 1864 in the Andersonville Prison

Andersonville prison

The Andersonville prison, officially known as Camp Sumter, served as a Confederate Prisoner-of-war camp during the American Civil War. The site of the prison is now Andersonville National Historic Site in Andersonville, Georgia. Most of the site actually lies in extreme southwestern Macon County,...

of scurvy

Scurvy

Scurvy is a disease resulting from a deficiency of vitamin C, which is required for the synthesis of collagen in humans. The chemical name for vitamin C, ascorbic acid, is derived from the Latin name of scurvy, scorbutus, which also provides the adjective scorbutic...

. His personal diary was given to his father after his death and eventually published.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau

United 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 village has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.5 km²) of it (18.00%) is water.

Wilson is located at the junction of New York State Route 18

New York State Route 18

New York State Route 18 is an east–west state highway in western New York in the United States. It runs parallel to the south shore of Lake Ontario for most of its length between Niagara County and Monroe County...

(Harbor Street/Sunset Street/Ontario Street) and New York State Route 425

New York State Route 425

New York State Route 425 is a New York state highway that runs from NY 18 in Wilson, New York on the shore of Lake Ontario to a connection with Interstate 290 in the Town of Tonawanda...

(Lake Street) and is east of the mouth of Twelve Mile Creek. Wilson-Tuscarora State Park

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park

Wilson-Tuscarora State Park is a New York state park in Niagara County, New York, U.S. on the west side of the Village of Wilson. Lake Road passes through the park...

is on the west side of the village. This park offers picnicking, canoeing, swimming, playgrounds, and hiking trails.

The village is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...

. On a clear day, it is possible to see the skyscrapers of Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

across the lake in Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, including the CN Tower

CN Tower

The CN Tower is a communications and observation tower in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Standing tall, it was completed in 1976, becoming the world's tallest free-standing structure and world's tallest tower at the time. It held both records for 34 years until the completion of the Burj...

, just over 30 miles away.

Demographics

As of the census

Census

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 1,213 people, 505 households, and 348 families residing in the village. 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 1,474.5 people per square mile (571.1/km²). There were 537 housing units at an average density of 252.8 persons/km² (652.8 persons/sq mi). The racial makeup of the village was 98.93% White, 0.33% African American

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

, 0.08% Native American, 0.08% Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

n, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 0.49% of the population were Hispanic

Hispanic

Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...

or Latino

Latino

The demonyms Latino and Latina , are defined in English language dictionaries as:* "a person of Latin-American descent."* "A Latin American."* "A person of Hispanic, especially Latin-American, descent, often one living in the United States."...

of any race.

There were 505 households out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.6% 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, 7.1% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 30.9% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $36,534, and the median income for a family was $42,656. Males had a median income of $37,692 versus $22,419 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 village was $19,175. 4.6% of the population and 3.7% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 5.2% are under the age of 18 and 1.4% are 65 or older.

Education

A Collegiate Institute was started in Wilson in 1845 and incorporated on February 19, 1846. It was decided that circulars would be sent out to advertise the new school—and they proved very successful. When the doors opened in the fall of 1846, 339 applicants had applied for admission. Over 60% of those applicants were non-residents. Applications came from Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Canada. Moral standards were very high at the school, and all pupils were required to attend church every Sunday and to be in their rooms at 7:30 pm except on Fridays evenings which were reserved for social activities.

As other schools were built, attendance dropped off in Wilson, and by 1869, tuition money was inadequate to maintain the school and it became necessary to apply to the State for aid. A proposal was made to unite four districts to form a Wilson Union Free School, but it met with great objections—especially from the outlying districts. In fact, feelings ran so high many people would not trade with merchants that advocated “such an asinine project that would allow persons to be taxed to support a free school”. When it came time to vote, it resulted in a tie, so one enterprising gentleman, Reuben F. Wilson, asked Elder Garfield (who loved to talk) to get up and make a speech in favor of the free school. While Garfield rambled on and on, Mr. Wilson hitched up his horse and buggy and raced to the harbor and asked Captain Bunn to get off his boat and accompany him back to the school. Captain Bunn voted “yes” and the Wilson Union Free School was born.

Today, Wilson is a centralized public school system with a total student population of approximately 1700. The system is composed of Thomas Marks Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Wilson Central Middle School, and Wilson Central High School. It is located in a rural area approximately 30 miles (48.3 km) north of Buffalo

Buffalo, New York

, 25 miles (40.2 km) northeast of Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls

The Niagara Falls, located on the Niagara River draining Lake Erie into Lake Ontario, is the collective name for the Horseshoe Falls and the adjacent American Falls along with the comparatively small Bridal Veil Falls, which combined form the highest flow rate of any waterfalls in the world and has...

, and adjacent to the city of Lockport

Lockport (city), New York

Lockport is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 21,165 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a set of Erie canal locks within the city. Lockport is the county seat of Niagara County and is surrounded by the town of Lockport...

. The District encompasses an area of 144 square miles (373 km²) including Wilson and portions of Ransomville, Youngstown, Newfane, Cambria

Cambria

Cambria is the classical name for Wales, being the Latinised form of the Welsh name Cymru . The etymology of Cymry "the Welsh", Cimbri, and Cwmry "Cumbria", improbably connected to the Biblical Gomer and the "Cimmerians" by 17th-century celticists, is now known to come from Old Welsh combrog...

, Lockport

Lockport (town), New York

Lockport is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 20,529 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from the series of canal locks on the Erie Canal...

and Porter

Porter, New York

Porter is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 6,771 at the 2010 census. The town was named after Judge Augustus Porter....

. The Wilson Central School District holds an impressive record against the rigorous New York State curriculum and standardized tests. Wilson Central is ranked 13th out of 97 school districts in Western New York in 2008's Buffalo Business First ratings, making it number one in Niagara County. Wilson High School is ranked 25th out of 128 Western New York high schools resulting in Wilson High School being the top-rated high school in Niagara County according to the 2008 Buffalo Business First reports. Wilson High School earned a Bronze Medal in the U.S. News and World Report in 2008. In the 2006-2007 school year, all 16 varsity sports were awarded scholar-athlete awards by New York State including a scholar-athlete state championship girl's basketball team. The graduation rate for the class of 2008 was 100%. The Wilson Lakemen won a baseball state championship in 1983 and a softball state championship in 1986.

External links

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