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History of Olean, New York, USA
Journey back in time to Olean, New York, USA
Explore the history, people, photographs, newspapers, postcards, and genealogy connected to Olean, New York, USA.
ABOUT THE PLACE
About Olean
The area was first settled by Europeans around 1765, called by the Indian name Ischua. Officially, this was illegal, as the British had declared the land in the Allegheny River watershed to be part of the Indian Reserve after conquering the territory in the French and Indian War two years prior... During the American Revolutionary War, the 1779 Sullivan Expedition established the first road to what would become Olean, blazing a trail to what is now Kittanning, Pennsylvania along the path of what is now New York State Route 16.
Originally the entire territory of the county of Cattaraugus was called the Town of Olean, formed March 11, 1808. As population allowed, the county was split in half and the top half was called "Hebe", and was taken off in 1812, a part of Perrysburgh in 1814, then Great Valley in 1818. Hinsdale formed in 1820, and Portville in 1837, leaving the current boundary of Olean that lies upon the south line of the county, near the southeast corner.
Originally the entire territory of the county of Cattaraugus was called the Town of Olean, formed March 11, 1808. As population allowed, the county was split in half and the top half was called "Hebe", and was taken off in 1812, a part of Perrysburgh in 1814, then Great Valley in 1818. Hinsdale formed in 1820, and Portville in 1837, leaving the current boundary of Olean that lies upon the south line of the county, near the southeast corner.
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VINTAGE OLEAN
Olean Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Olean, New York, USA
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Olean High School
Olean, New York, USA
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Exchange National Bank, Olean, N.Y.
Olean, New York, USA
Postcard
Higgins Memorial Hospital
Olean, New York, USA
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Carnegie Library
postmarked 1910
postmarked 1910
Olean, New York, USA
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No. 3 School
postmarked 1911
postmarked 1911
Olean, New York, USA
Postcard
Vacuum Oil Co Refineries and Tank Field, Largest Storage of Crude Oil in the World, Olean, N.Y.
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Olean, New York, USA
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First Presbyterian Church
Olean, New York, USA
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Bird's Eye View
postmarked 1921
postmarked 1921
Genealogy gifts & optional resources
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Genealogy Gifts & Resources Related to OLEAN
I Love NEW YORK Mug – Pizza, Bagels & Cheesecake Ceramic Coffee Cup
Sip your way into the heart of the Big Apple with our Ceramic Mug featuring the mouthwatering trio of Pizza, Bagels, and Cheesecake! Designed for true New York food lovers, this mug is your perfect companion for savoring your favorite brews.
NEW YORK Roots & Sarcasm - Ceramic Genealogy Coffee Mug
Discover your New York heritage with a twist of humor with our "Found my roots in New York—turns out my ancestors invented sarcasm!" mug. This mug is perfect for those who appreciate the art of witty banter passed down through generations.
NEW YORK - Lost in the Catskills: Upstate New York Genealogy Mug - Ceramic
Discover the charm and mystery of your roots with our "Lost in the Catskills: Upstate New York Genealogy Mug." This ceramic beauty is more than just a coffee cup; it’s a conversation starter that celebrates the quirks and tales of family history in Upstate New York.
NEW YORK - Finding Skeletons in Closets Since 1624 Mug – Funny Upstate NY Genealogy Coffee Cup
Start your day with a laugh—and a nod to history! The Finding Skeletons in Closets Since 1624 Mug is perfect for genealogy enthusiasts, history buffs, and Upstate New York fans. Adorned with a witty slogan and a charming vintage design, this mug celebrates the rich and often surprising history of Upstate New York. Whether you're tracing your roots or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, this mug is sure to spark conversation and bring a smile to your face.
NEW YORK Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug Gift Idea - Celebrate Your Ancestry with Every Sip!
Embrace your heritage with this New York Roots Genealogy Coffee Mug, perfect for the proud family historian. Whether you're researching your ancestors or simply enjoying a cup of coffee, this ceramic mug reminds you of your deep connection to the Empire State.
ELLIS ISLAND Roots Ceramic Mug – Tribute to Ancestry and New Beginnings - Celebrating Our Immigrant Ancestors
Celebrate your family’s journey with this ceramic mug featuring vintage postcards of Ellis Island, the iconic gateway to America. Adorned with the heartfelt phrase, "Ellis Island: Where My Roots Took Their First Steps!" this mug is a tribute to the brave immigrants who paved the way for future generations. Whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee or sharing stories of your ancestors, this mug serves as a beautiful reminder of the past and the roots that shaped your future. A perfect gift for genealogy enthusiasts or anyone proud of their heritage!
LOCAL HISTORY
Discover Olean: History, News, Travel, and Stories
Explore the events, newspaper stories, people, and moments that shaped Olean through the years.
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.
1868 - Water is sold at fifteen cents a barrel to the housekeepers of Olean, N. Y.
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.
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.
Mrs. John Bishop was seriously injured by flying splinters. The ball, after passing through the house, struck another tank, spilling 508 barrels of oil.
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.
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.
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...
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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...
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.
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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
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...
GENEALOGY IN OLEAN
Discover YOUR Roots: Olean Ancestry
Explore ancestors connected to Olean through births, deaths, marriages, cemeteries, and local genealogy resources.
BIRTHS & DEATHS
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Olean, New York, USA
We currently have information about 26 ancestors who were born or died in Olean.
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Ancestors Who Were Married in Olean, New York, USA
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Updated: 10/13/2023 2:06:45 PM
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