History of Olean, New York, USA

1854 - Olean
Olean, a post-village of Olean township, Cattaraugus co., New York, on the Alleghany river, at the southern terminus of the Genesee canal, and on the New York and Erie railroad, 404 miles from New York city. An extensive trade is carried on at this place with the surrounding country. Great quantities of lumber are sent annually, both over the New York and Erie railroad, and down the Alleghany to the Ohio river. Two unfinished railroads terminate at Olean, viz. the Corning and Olean, and the Alleghany Valley railroads. The earliest settlement made in this region was at Olean. Pop. of the town ship, 899, nearly all of which is in the village.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1868 - Water is sold at fifteen cents a barrel to the housekeepers of Olean, N. Y.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
January 18, 1868

1881 - Wagon Shop Fire
At a little past 8 o'clock Tuesday morning there was an alarm of fire and a hurrying to and fro, as it was announced that in Conlkin's wagon shop was on fire. The Fountain and Citizens hose companies were prompt to respond, but the H. & L. company had been up all night at the dance and many of them were enjoying repose when the alarm was given. However, there was little cause for anxiety, as the fire, such as there was, was quickly extinguished by those present. The whole excitement was caused by the blowing off of a cap to one of the flues in the boiler at Conklin's shop. The brick work on the top was torn down by the force of the explosion, and the door to the boiler blown open so that the fire escaped and would doubtless have resulted in the burning of the building but for the speedy action of workmen present. The fireman, Peter Robinson, had a narrow escape, as he had only left the engine for a moment at the time of the accident.
The Democrat
Olean, New York
April 21, 1881

1883 - Fire in Olean
OLEAN, N. Y., June 8 - The United Pipe Line tank 1,477, with a capacity of 85,000 barrels, was struck by lightning. While the employes were engaged in shooting balls from a cannon into the burning tank, a ball passed through the house of William Foggarty, eighty feet distant.

Mrs. John Bishop was seriously injured by flying splinters. The ball, after passing through the house, struck another tank, spilling 508 barrels of oil.
The Atlanta Constitution
Atlanta, Georgia
June 9, 1883

1884 - The city fathers at Olean, N. Y., have instructed the police to compel all boys under the age of fifteen years to vacate the streets after 8:30 o'clock p.m.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
June 14, 1884

1895 - Olean
Olean, a post-village in Olean township, Cattaraugus co., N.Y., on the Alleghany River, at the mouth of Olean Creek, and on the Genesee Valley Canal and the Erie Rail road where it crosses the Buffalo, New York & Philadelphia Railroad, 65 miles E.S.E. of Dunkirk, and 69 miles S.S.E. of Buffalo. It contains 6 churches, a national bank, 1 other bank, an academy, a newspaper office, and a graded school. Pop. in 1890, 7358; of the township, 11,507.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1903 - OIL TANKS EXPLODED WITH AWFUL RESULTS. OVER TWENTY DEAD AND HALF A HUNDRED FATALLY INJURED AT OLEAN N.Y. CROWDS GATHERED TO SEE THE TRAIN WRECK WHEN THE BURNING OIL EXPLODED CAUSING A FEARFUL LOSS OF LIFE.
The Dead:
NORMAN BROWN, aged 18 years, Olean.
JOHNNY TOBIN, aged 15 years, Olean.
JOHN McCREADY, aged 13 years, Olean.
JOHN McMAHON, aged 19 years, Olean.
MICHAEL V. DRISCOLL, aged 22 years, North Olean.
WALTER SWIFT, aged 19 years, Olean.
JOHN STEMLINGER, aged 17 years, Olean.
HENRY GODDEN, aged 18, years, Bordmanville.
RICHARD CONNELL, aged 19 years, North Olean.
WALTER JACKSON, aged 13 years.
WALTER ROTH, aged 16 years.
HERMAN ROLLMAN, aged 15 years.
ROFELO QUARTINO.
CARMEN SITELIANO.

Olean, N.Y., March 10. - Fourteen charred and half-cremated bodies lying in the undertaking establishments or in the homes of their families, fourteen people lying badly injured in the hospitals, and a dozen or so more, not so seriously injured, at their homes are the result of the accident on the Erie Railroad last night, in which an oil train was wrecked and several oil cars exploded. Several of the patients in the hospital are seriously burned, one of them, RICHARD McDONALD, aged... Read MORE...

1906
Olean, a city of Cattaraugus co., N.Y., on the Alleghany River, at the mouth of Olean Creek, and on the Erie and other railroads, 70 miles SE. of Buffalo. It has oil and lumbering interests, glass-works, tanneries, and manufactures of machinery, boilers and engines, etc., and is the seat of a state armory and the Foreman Library. Pop. in 1900, 9462.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Olean, New York, may not be the biggest town, but there are still plenty of places to explore and things to do. Here's a list to get you started:
Allegany State Park:

Just a short drive from Olean, this state park offers hiking trails, camping, and beautiful scenery. It's a great spot for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

St. Bonaventure University:

Check out the beautiful campus of St. Bonaventure University. There might be events or performances happening, and the architecture is worth a stroll.

Olean Point Museum:

Learn about the local history at the Olean Point Museum. It's a small but interesting museum that gives insights into the town's past.

Rock City Park:

Explore unique rock formations at Rock City Park. It's a geological wonder with massive rocks and intriguing crevices.

Olean Area Farmers Market:

If you're visiting during the right time, check out the Olean Area Farmers Market. You can pick up fresh produce, handmade crafts, and more.

Oil Springs Reservation:

Dive into the history of the oil industry at the Oil Springs Reservation. It's an important site in the development of... Read MORE...