Attica (village), New York

Attica, New York
Village
Attica, New York Location within the state of New York
Coordinates: 42°51′54″N 78°16′37″W / 42.86500°N 78.27694°WCoordinates: 42°51′54″N 78°16′37″W / 42.86500°N 78.27694°W
Country	United States
State	New York
Counties	Wyoming, Genesee
Settled	1802
Incorporated	May 2, 1837
Named for	Attica, Ancient Greece
Area
• Total	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km^2)
• Land	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km^2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km^2)
Elevation	981 ft (299 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,547
• Density	1,500/sq mi (580/km^2)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	14011
Area code(s)	585
FIPS code	36-03001
GNIS feature ID	0942677
Website	www.attica.org

Attica is a village in Wyoming County, New York. The population was 2,547 at the 2010 census.

The Village of Attica is on the northern border of Wyoming County. The village lies mostly within the Town of Attica, but the northern part of the village is within the adjacent Town of Alexander in Genesee County.

History

In 1802, Zerah Phelps became the first landowner in the Attica area. He owned a gristmill, and was also the first business owner in Attica.^[1] By 1810 the settlement grew into a town,^[2] but malaria and plague drove the settlers to higher ground. During the War of 1812 many people fled to the area from Buffalo. In 1837, Phelps' Settlement was incorporated, becoming the Village of Attica.^[3][4] The village is named after a region in Greece.^[5]

In 1854, Dr. Orin Davis established his health institute that people traveled to from around the country for treatment.^[4]

In 1883, Eugene Norton created a cheese factory that became known as The Pineapple Cheese Factory.^[6] In 1918 the company's molds and patents were sold to the Kraft Cheese Company.^[7][8] The Stevens Family has owned some very prestigious livestock^[9] and one of their horses took first prize at the World's Fair. Agriculture remains an important aspect of the community.

As New York State began to expand its penal system, a group of citizens worked to get a state prison in Attica. In March 1929, roughly 700 acres (2.8 km²) were acquired for the prison and construction began in October. After two years the first inmates were transferred to Attica.^[2]

Geography

Attica at 42°51′54″N 78°16′37″W / 42.86500°N 78.27694°W (42.865138, -78.276885).^[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 km²), all land.

Attica is west of Tonawanda Creek at the junction of New York State Route 98, New York State Route 354, and New York State Route 238.

Climate

Attica, New York
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.1     32 17     1.9     35 18     2.3     44 26     3     57 37     3.3     69 47     3.6     78 57     3.4     81 61     3.2     80 60     3.7     73 53     3.2     61 42     2.8     49 33     2.4     37 23 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches Source: NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     52     0 −8     47     2 −8     58     7 −4     76     14 3     85     20 8     92     25 14     86     27 16     82     26 15     95     23 12     81     16 6     71     9 1     61     3 −5 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm

The warmest temperatures in Attica typically occur in July and August. The highest temperature recorded near Attica is 103 °F in July 1936. The lowest ever recorded was -28 °F in February 1934. Snowfall is typical November through March. The highest recorded snowfall amount is 23 inches in January 1966. Recently in December 2012 the area experienced heavy snowfall. This was known as the December 25–28, 2012 North American blizzard which dropped approximately 15 to 17 inches of snow in record time. ^[11]

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1840	800		—
1850	600		−25.0%
1860	1,098		83.0%
1870	1,333		21.4%
1880	1,935		45.2%
1890	1,994		3.0%
1900	1,785		−10.5%
1910	1,869		4.7%
1920	2,015		7.8%
1930	2,212		9.8%
1940	2,379		7.5%
1950	2,676		12.5%
1960	2,758		3.1%
1970	2,911		5.5%
1980	2,659		−8.7%
1990	2,630		−1.1%
2000	2,597		−1.3%
2010	2,547		−1.9%
Est. 2014	2,493	[12]	−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the census^[14] of 2000, there were 2,597 people, 1,072 households, and 709 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,542.8 people per square mile (596.8/km²). There were 1,158 housing units at an average density of 687.9 per square mile (266.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.81% White, 0.15% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.

There were 1,072 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.3% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 29.8% 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 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the village the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $40,234, and the median income for a family was $47,049. Males had a median income of $35,729 versus $22,007 for females. The per capita income for the village was $18,732. About 6.9% of families and 9.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

In 1957, The Attica Rodeo and Show Association was formed.^[15] Every year a rodeo is held at the rodeo grounds in Attica, and the rodeo has been voted best rodeo by the Cowboys and Cowgirls of the American Professional Rodeo Association.^[16]

Tourism

The Exchange Street Historic District, Augustus A. Smith House and U.S. Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[17][18]

Education

(Attica Central School ) serves the village. The physical campuses of the ACSD include Attica Senior High School,^[19] Attica Junior High School, Prospect Elementary, and Sheldon Elementary.^[20][21]

Area colleges and universities

• Genesee Community College - Over 7,000 students and 60 academic programs of either two-year associate degree programs or one year certificate programs. The main campus is located just north of Attica in nearby Batavia. GCC also has branch campuses in Albion, Medina, Warsaw, Dansville, Arcade, & Lima^[22]
• Monroe Community College - Over 90 degree and academic programs. Enrollment in fall of 2012 was over 17,000 students.^[23]
• State University of New York at Brockport - SUNY Brockport offers 49 undergraduate majors, 47 master’s degree programs, and teacher certification in 24 areas. The 464-acre campus is located in Brockport, New York along the Erie Canal in the greater Rochester area. Enrollment in fall of 2012 was over 8,000 students^[24]
• University at Buffalo - The University at Buffalo is a flagship institution in the State University of New York system. Located in Buffalo it offers more than 100 undergraduate degrees, including 205 master’s degrees, 84 doctoral degrees, & 10 professional degrees. Enrollment in the fall of 2012 was 28,952.^[25]
• University of Rochester - The University of Rochester is a top-tier research university. It offers more than 60 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate programs. Enrollment in the fall of 2012 was over 10,000 students.^[26]

Infrastructure

Attica Correctional Facility and Wyoming Correctional Facility are located south of the village in the Town of Attica.^[27]

Notable people

• Parmenio Adams, (1776–1832), former United States Congressman from New York, resided here^[28]
• Charles B. Benedict, (1828-1901), former United States Congressman from New York, resided here^[29]
• George Gilbert Hoskins, (1824-1893), former United States Congressman from New York and Lt. Governor of New York, resided here^[30]
• Harold C. Ostertag, (1896-1985), former United States Congressman from New York, born here^[31]
• James O. Putnam, (1793-1855), former United States Congressman from New York and New York State Senator, resided here^[32]
• James Edward Quigley, (1854-1915), former Bishop of Buffalo, New York and Archbishop of Chicago, resided here^[33]
• Leo Richard Smith, (1905-1963), former Bishop of Ogdensburg, born here^[34]
• Frederick C. Stevens, (1856-1916), former New York State Senator, born here^[35]
• Robert S. Stevens, (1824-1893), former US Congressman from New York, born here^[36]

References

1. "Historical Wyoming County October 1953" (PDF). Fulton History. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
2. "DRAFT Wyoming County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan" (PDF). Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
3. "Town of Attica". Town of Attica. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
4. "02 Town of Attica - History of Wyoming County". New York Genealogy Project. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
5. "About the Village of Attica - incorporated in 1837". Village of Attica. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
6. "Attica Historical Society Hulls Notes" (PDF). FultonHistory.com. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
7. "Attica Historical Society Hulls Notes" (PDF). FultonHistory.com. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
8. "The Story of Pineapple Cheese". Connecticut History.org. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
9. J.H. Sanders Publishing Company (1899). The Breeder's Gazette: A Weekly Publication Devoted ... to the Interests of Live-stock Breeders, Volume 35. J.H. Sanders Publishing Company. p. 75.
10. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
11. NOWData "NOAA Weather", National Weather Service Forecast Office, Retrieved 2013-07-21
12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014". Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
15. "Castellani Art Museum’s New Folk Arts Exhibition Focuses On The Attica Rodeo". NU News. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
16. "JOIN IN OUR CELEBRATION OF 57 YEARS". The Attica Rodeo and Show Association. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
17. Staff (2009-03-13). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
18. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 12/03/12 through 12/07/12. National Park Service. 2012-12-14.
19. "Attica Senior High School Overview". US News. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
20. "Schools", Attica Central School District, Retrieved 2013-05-17
21. "Attica Central School District". US News. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
22. "GCC", Genesee Community College, Retrieved 2013-07-21
23. "Monroe Community College", Monroe Community College, Retrieved 2013-07-28
24. "SUNY Brockport", State University of New York at Brockport, Retrieved 2013-07-28
25. "University of Buffalo", The University of Buffalo, Retrieved 2013-07-28
26. "University of Rochester", The University of Rochester, Retrieved 2013-07-28
27. "Facility Listing". Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
28. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
29. "BENEDICT, Charles Brewster, (1828 - 1901)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
30. "HOSKINS, George Gilbert, (1824 - 1893)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
31. "OSTERTAG, Harold Charles, (1896 - 1985)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
32. "PUTNAM, Harvey, (1793 - 1855)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
33. "Archdiocese of Chicago". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
34. "Bishop Leo Richard Smith". Catholic-Hierarchy. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
35. "Frederick C. Stevens". The New York Red Book. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
36. "STEVENS, Robert Smith, (1824 - 1893)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved April 10, 2014.

External links

• Official website
• City-Data.com