Cuba is a town in Allegany County, New York, USA. The Town lies on the western border of Allegany County, with the Village of Cuba within its borders. Cuba is approximately an hour's drive south of Buffalo, New York. Image File history File links Cuba, NY, in autumn. ... Image File history File links Cuba, NY, in autumn. ... Main street in Bastrop, Texas, a small town A town is a residential community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... Allegany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ... NY redirects here. ... Cuba is a village in Allegany County, New York, United States. ... Nickname: City of Good Neighbors, Queen City, City of Light Location of Buffalo in New York State County Erie County  - Mayor Byron Brown Area    - City 136. ...

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 92.8 km² (35.8 mi²). 91.0 km² (35.1 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (1.95%) is water. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census as defined in Title ) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...

The west town line is the border of Cattaraugus County, New York. Cattaraugus County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. ...

The Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17) passes through the town running East and West. New York State Route 305 is a major north-south highway that intersects New York State Route 446 in the Village of Cuba. {{{type3}}} JUNCTIONS JUNCTION EXIT # I-90 PA 1 I-390 NY 146 (36) I-99 NY 169 (44) I-81 NY 245 NY (75) I-84 NY 362 (121) I-87 NY Legend BROWSE STATE HWYS Prev Next {{{browse}}} Interstate 86 runs from an intersection with Interstate 90 in Erie... Junction Location US routes and Interstates only. ... New York State Route 305 is a north-south route in the Southern Tier that runs from the Pennsylvania state line in Cattaraugus County to the hamlet of Belfast in Allegany County, where it ends at NY 19. ... New York State Route 446 is a short state highway in the Southern Tier. ...

Adjacent towns and areas

Cuba is north of the Town of Clarksville and south of the Town of New Hudson. It is east of the Town of Ischua in Cattargaugus County and west of the Town of Friendship. New Hudson is a town located in Allegany County, New York. ... Ischua is a town located in Cattaraugus County, New York. ... Friendship is a town located in Allegany County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,927. ...

How Cuba came to its name

Why Cuba was given its name has always been a matter of conjecture. John S. Minard's: Civic History of Cuba, published in 1910, tells us that "Cuba is a Roman word and means Goddess or Protector of the Young. So in all probability, the Legislators of 1822, when they set aside the township from the town of Friendship, by accident, stumbled upon the word and appropriated the name, the significance of which is pleasant to think of." Simeon DeWitt , the surveyor general for New York State in the early 1800s was an avid student of ancient Roman Mythology and is credited with suggesting the name.

Some people think that the town was named after the Island of Cuba. A common reason for this is that there are other towns in the area with names of Spanish towns, such as Salamanca, Cadiz, Panama, Mexico and Bolivar, to name a few. Another town Belfast, although not Spanish, is the name of another foreign town (in Northern Ireland or Ulster). Motto:  (Latin for Who will separate us?)[1] Anthem: UK: God Save the Queen Regional: (de facto) Londonderry Air Capital Belfast Largest city Belfast Official language(s) English (de facto), Ulster Scots, Irish3, Northern Ireland Sign Language, Irish Sign Language Government Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - Prime Minister of... Statistics Area: 24,481 km² Population (2006 estimate) 1,993,918 Ulster (Irish: Cúige Uladh, IPA: ) forms one of the four traditional provinces of Ireland. ...

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 3,392 people, 1,336 households, and 915 families residing in the town. The population density was 37.3/km² (96.6/mi²). There were 1,710 housing units at an average density of 18.8/km² (48.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.91% White, 0.27% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.09% of the population. 1870 US Census for New York City A census is the process of obtaining information about every member of a population (not necessarily a human population). ... The following is a list of sources used in the creation of encyclopedia articles on various geographic topics and locations, such as cities, counties, states, and countries. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... Race, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is a self-identification data item in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... Race, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is a self-identification data item in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ... The United States Census Bureau uses the federal governments definitions of race when performing a census. ...

There were 1,336 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 25.1% 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 2.49 and the average family size was 2.98. Matrimony redirects here. ...

In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,939, and the median income for a family was $37,969. Males had a median income of $29,291 versus $21,115 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,247. About 6.0% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 6.3% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...

Image File history File links Cuba Historical Society, Genesee Street, Cuba, NY. Copywright: J. A. Mazon File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

History, business, and points of interest

The Town of Cuba was formed in 1850 from part of the Town of Friendship. In 1830, Cuba was reduced by the formation of the Town of Genesee. In 1835, Cuba was partitioned again to form the Town of Clarksville. 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Friendship is a town located in Allegany County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,927. ... Genesee is a town located in Allegany County, New York. ... Clarksville is a town located in Allegany County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,146. ...

Formerly known as Township 3 Range 2 of the Holland Land Purchase, the settlement of Cuba began in 1817, though the town was not first organized until 1822 and not established until 1850. Between 1810 to the late 1820s the town saw a boom in both settlement and population as many of the town's first businesses, churches and schools were established. 1817 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1822 (MDCCCXXII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... 1850 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

Cuba Lake

About two miles north of the village is a man-made lake at 1545 feet above sea level, Cuba Lake is the highest reservoir in Allegany County. In western New York State, Cuba Lake is the sixth highest reservoir. (Ref.: Digital copy of the US Geological Survey map.) When built it was the largest man-made lake ever constructed. It was constructed in 1858 at a cost of $150,000, as a reservoir to feed the Genesee Valley Canal. At the time of its construction, Cuba Lake was the largest man-made lake in the world. Image File history File links Picture of sailing boats on Cuba Lake, NY. copyright: J. A. Mazon File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Picture of sailing boats on Cuba Lake, NY. copyright: J. A. Mazon File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Today, the lake mainly serves as a source of recreation for locals. It is surrounded by some 300+ homes, many of which are year-round dwellings. The road surrounding the lake is about 7 miles in length and very narrow.

(Our thanks to the staff at USGS and GNIS, Reston, VA, for providing the correct elevation for the lake.)

The Seneca Oil Spring

The spring is located near the spillway end of Cuba Lake on the Oil Springs Reservation, Allegany County, New York. This is the site of the famed spring described by the Franciscan Missionary Joseph De La Roche D'Allion in 1627, the first recorded mention of oil on the North American Continent. In 1927, the New York State Oil Producers Association sponsored the dedication of a monument at the site describing the history of the oil industry in North America. The site is now under the supervision of the County of Allegany and a picnic area is available for those visiting there. Oil Springs Reservation is an Indian reservation located in Allegany County, New York. ...

Cheese

Along with neighboring Town of Friendship, New York, which houses Friendship Dairies, Cuba has been a top producer of dairy products since the late 1800s. In the early 1900s, Cuba was known as the 'Cheese Capital of the World'. Today, it is home to the Empire Cheese Factory, located on Haskell Road in the south end of Cuba. Empire Cheese is one of the town's top employers. Cuba is also the home of the world renowned Cuba Cheese Shoppe. Located on Genesee Street, the Cuba Cheese Shoppe serves as a retail outlet for many types of cheeses and dairy products. Cuba Cheese has won several awards and is known as one of the top producers of New York State Cheddar. Every year during the first week of June the town hosts Cuba Dairy Week. Cuba is also home to Farnsworth Cookies and many other local businesses. Friendship is a town located in Allegany County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,927. ...

Block Barn

Cuba is also home to what the locals refer to as the Block Barn on Route 305 just past the Conrail overpass south of the Historic District. Constructed in 1909, this structure, which is made almost entirely of cement, spans nearly 350 feet long and is completely fireproof. It was built to house William Simpson's "McKinney" horses. It has been a popular stable and it was said to have housed horses for the Czar of Russia and once was considered by the Anheuser Busch company as a spot to house its famous Clydesdales. Year 1909 (MCMIX) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Leland Stanfords horse stable, still in use Horse kept in stable A stable is a building in which livestock, usually horses, are kept. ... Tsar, (Bulgarian цар�, Russian царь; often spelled Czar or Tzar in English), was the title used for the autocratic rulers of the First and Second Bulgarian Empires since 913, in Serbia in the middle of the 14th century, and in Russia from 1547 to 1917. ... Anheuser-Busch NYSE: BUD Anheuser-Busch, based in St. ... Clydesdale draft horse at the Maryland State Fair The Clydesdale is a breed of draft horse derived from the very hard-working farm horses of Clydesdale (now Lanarkshire), Scotland and named for that region. ...

South Street Historic District

The South Street Historic District encompasses a four block, one quarter mile section of South Street (Route 305), the main north-south route through the village. The street is one of the village's most prestigious residential areas. Designated in 1988, when it was added to the State and National Historic Registers, the district consists of 37 residential properties dating from 1840 to 1940 and three churches : First Baptist and Christ Episcopal, 1871, and Our Lady of Angels Roman Catholic, 1926. The district begins at the First Baptist Church and ends at the Conrail underpass at the south end.

The birthplace of Charles "Pa" Ingalls

Charles Phillip Ingalls, father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the popular Little House on the Prairie, was born on a farm in the North Cuba area. Several members of the Ingalls family had settled there prior to 1835, and several brothers all had adjoining farmlands. It is not known exactly where the home is located wherein Charles Ingalls was born. Several homes still standing in the area are known to have been built around that era, and were owned by various members of the Ingalls family. Many descendants of the Landsford Ingalls still reside in the area. Charles Ingalls with his wife Caroline Ingalls Charles Phillip Ingalls was the father of Laura Ingalls Wilder, known for her Little House on the Prairie series of books. ... Laura Ingalls Wilder (February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American author. ... Little House on the Prairie is a childrens book by Laura Ingalls Wilder, published in 1935. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Cuba Garlic Festival

 The Cuba Garlic Festival is held in September when the garlic is in harvest and The leaves on all the trees in Cuba are a beautiful, deep red. In the last two years the festival has become a big event, with almost 6,400 people visiting. It is on the site of the Block Barn, by Cuba's historical district. If you are a big lover of garlic, or you just happen to be in town the same day, stop and have a stinkin' good time. Check out this site: http://www.cubanewyork.us/garlicfestival.htm 

Naomi Olive

Naomi Olive , who was murdered by her 16 year old daughter Marlene and her boyfriend Chuck Riley, was from originally from Cuba. The story was made famous in the 1982 book Bad Blood: A Family Murder in Marin County, by Richard M. Levine. 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Education

Cuba is located near many educational institutions.

Local schools

The main high school in Cuba is Cuba-Rushford Middle High School, which formed after a merger of the Cuba and Rushford, New York school districts. The Middle High School sits north of the town on Route 305 and teaches grades 6-12. What is known as the "Old" High School on Elm Street now teaches grades K-5 as the "Old" Elementary School across the street is now the Elm Street Academy as part of a Boces program. The mascot of Cuba was the Greyhounds until the merger in the mid 1990s when the mascot was renamed to the Rebels. Rushford is a town located in Allegany County, New York. ...

Higher education

West of Cuba between Allegany, New York and Olean is St. Bonaventure University. SBU's campus literally sits on the Olean/Allegany border, therefore it has its own postal ZIP code. Many of SBU's teams such as the basketball and baseball teams play in the Atlantic 10 Conference of NCAA Division 1. Allegany, New York is the name of two locations in Cattaraugus County, New York: The Village of Allegany The Town of Allegany For other locations with a similar name, go to Allegheny. ... Olean is a city located in Cattaraugus County, New York. ... St. ...

Several of the state's SUNY campuses are near Cuba as well. Olean is also home to a Jamestown Community College satellite campus. About 30 miles east of Cuba in Alfred, New York is Alfred University, while just 15 miles east of Cuba in Wellsville, New York is Alfred State College. Buffalo, New York is home to several universities and colleges. Jamstown Community College is a SUNY school that has two campuses in Chautauqua County, New York, located in Dunkirk and Jamestown. ... Alfred, NY is both a town and a village nested in Allegany County, New York. ... Alfred University (Alfred) is a small, comprehensive university in the Village of Alfred in western New York State, USA, an hour south of Rochester and two hours southeast of Buffalo. ... Wellsville, New York is a village and a town in Allegany County, New York. ... Aerial view of Alfred State College taken in April 2006. ... Nickname: City of Good Neighbors, Queen City, City of Light Location of Buffalo in New York State County Erie County  - Mayor Byron Brown Area    - City 136. ...

Communities and locations in the Town of Cuba

• Black Creek -- A former community in the town, now in the Town of New Hudson. Black Creek is mentioned often in the early history of the town.
• Cuba -- The Village of Cuba is in the western part of the town.
• Cuba Lake -- A lake in the northwest corner of the town.
• North Cuba -- A hamlet north of Cuba village on Route 305.
• Oil Springs Creek -- A stream passing through the Village of Cuba.
• Oil Springs Reservation -- A reservation of the Seneca at the western town line.
• South Cuba -- A hamlet south of Cuba village on Route 305.
• Seymour -- A former community in the town located near North Cuba.
• Summit -- A location east of Cuba village on County Road 20, also called "Cuba Summit."
• Tannery Creek -- A stream flowing across the town and through Cuba village.

New Hudson is a town located in Allegany County, New York. ... A hamlet is (usually — see below) a small settlement, too small or unimportant to be considered a village. ... Oil Springs Reservation is an Indian reservation located in New York. ... The Seneca are a Native American people, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League. ...

Churches

• Baptist - organized 1825
• The Second Baptist Church - organized 15 February 1834.
• Presbyterian
• Christ Church (Episcopal)
• Universalist - organized 3 February 1867.
• Methodist Episcopal - organized in 1844.
• Catholic - Our Lady of Angels
• North Park Wesleyan, Pastor Jonathan Ward,Assistant Pastor Don Nagy

February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1867 (MDCCCLXVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Cemetaries

Cemeteries

• Cemetery - code 15-1; (Town 3, Range 2HC, lot 45), Cuba Village
• Cemetery - code 15-2; (lot 54), Witter Road
• Cemetery - code 15-3; (lot 45), Cuba Village
• Catholic Cemetery - code 15-4; (lot 45), Cuba Village
• North Cuba Cemetery - code 15-5; (lot 47), near Cuba Dam;

Also list of Soldiers buried in North Cuba Cemetery.

• Cemetery - code 15-6; near Cuba Lake
• Cuba Cemetery tombstone list (not sure which one above this refers to).

• code numbers refer to the Allegany County Cemetery Index card file at the Allegany County

Historical Society and FHL/FHC microfilm. See WNYGS Journal, Vol. II, No. 1

Addresses of interest

Cuba Historical Society PO Box 200 16 Genesee Street Cuba, NY 14727

Town Historian David Crowley, Cuba Town Historian 44 South Street Cuba, NY 14727

Cuba Town Clerk Doris Hall 36 Spring Street Cuba, NY 14727

Cuba Friends of Architecture Donald Donovan, President P.O. Box 274 Cuba, NY 14727

Notable residents

Rictor Norton (1945 — ), author, social historian Rictor Norton, Ph. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1945 calendar). ...

External links

• Village and Town of Cuba webpage

• Town of Cuba webpage
• Cuba Cheese Shoppe
• Friendship Dairies
• St. Bonaventure University
• JCC
• Alfred University