Clarence, New York

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Position within Erie County.
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Position within Erie County.

Clarence is a town located in the northeastern part of Erie County, New York, USA. The population was 26,123 at the 2000 census. Clarence is also the name of a postal district in the south part of the town with ZIP code 14031. It is named after the House of Clarence in England.

The Town of Clarence is in the northeast part of the county. The town is northeast of Buffalo. There are no villages within the town.

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[edit] History

The local natives called the area "city of trees," Place of Hickory bark.

The Town of Clarence claims to be the first town in Erie County (1808), and many other towns, villages, and cities have been formed from parts of this original town. The defunct Town of Willink was also a source of new towns, being completely partitioned for this purpose.

Western New York was part of the Holland Purchase. When Genesee County was established in 1802, all of the region was part of the Town of Batavia, the single, original town of Genesee County. Clarence was, along with Willinck, created in Niagara County and Clarence was split off from Willink in 1804, even before Niagara County was created in 1808. Clarence (in the north) and Willink (in the south) then became the two original towns of Erie County before the county was created in 1821, and both towns had already been partly subdivided into the newer towns of the county at the time Erie County was formed.

One of the first settlers (1799) in the town was Asa Ransom, who has given his name to several locations. Asa Harris, a former colonial officer, established a tavern in the town in the community of Harris Hill.

Some have suggested that the town is named after a type of carriage, called a clarence. This carriage is pictured on a sign at the eastern edge of the town.

During the War of 1812 the press of the "Buffalo Gazette" was moved to Clarence out of harms way of the British troops.

By the end of the 19th Century, industry came to the town in the form of brick kilns, potash mining and gypsum mining.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 138.5 km² (53.5 mi²). 138.3 km² (53.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.11%) is water.

The north border of the town is Tonawanda Creek with Niagara County on the opposite bank.

New York State Route 5, called "Main Street" locally, passes across the south part of the town. NY Route 78, "Transit Road," marks the west town line.

[edit] Surrounding Communities

The Town of Clarence is north of the Town of Lancaster, east of the Town of Amherst, west of the Town of Newstead and south of Niagara County, New York. Clarence is northeast of the City of Buffalo, west of the City of Batavia, and south of the City of Lockport.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 26,123 people, 9,154 households, and 7,204 families residing in the town. The population density was 188.9/km² (489.2/mi²). There were 9,497 housing units at an average density of 68.7/km² (177.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.01% White, 0.65% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 9,154 households out of which 38.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.3% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.3% were non-families. 18.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.0% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $68,003, and the median income for a family was $77,998. Males had a median income of $58,538 versus $31,140 for females. The per capita income for the town was $32,717. About 1.0% of families and 1.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.2% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Communities and locations in Clarence

Principal locations or settlements in the town are:

  • Clarence (also called "Clarence Hollow," or just "The Hollow") is in the southeast. This is an extensive community of homes and businesses. The Clarence Historical Society is located on Main Street in this community. Part of the community is within a small valley which is traversed by Ransom Creek. The seat of the town government is in Clarence postal zone, just south of the hamlet of Clarence Center. During the time of its founding, Clarence village was called "Pine Grove," and later, "Ransomville."
  • Clarence Aerodrome (D51) -- A small, grass strip airport in the northwest part of the town. This is a private general aviation airport.
  • Clarence Center (formerly "Van Tines Corners") lies near the middle of the town. It is a small hamlet with the most densely populated neighborhood situated around the intersection of Goodrich Road and Clarence Center Road. Clarence Center is also a postal ZIP code 14032, covering most of the north part of the town.
  • East Amherst (formerly, "Transit Station") is an unincorporated community, or hamlet, on the west side of the town that is mostly in the Town of Amherst. East Amherst is also a postal zone (ZIP code 14051).
  • Gunnville -- A railroad station in the south part of the town, now only remembered as the source of the name for "Gunnville Road."
  • Harris Hill is an extensive community in the southwest corner of the town, built on a low hill called "Harris Hill." This location was also called "Shimerville" after a former post office, now only remembered as the source of the name for "Shimerville Road."
  • Hunts Corners is a location near the eastern town line and consists of a scattered group of homes. The corners are formed by the intersection of Salt Road and Clarence Center-Akron Road.
  • Mansfield Corners -- A former location in the eastern part of the town, north of Hunts Corners.
  • Millersport is a hamlet in the northwest corner. Because of its position, Millerport extends into the Town of Amherst and also across Tonawanda Creek into Niagara County, New York. The primary settlement consists of residences and businesses near the intersection of Transit Road and Millersport Highway.
  • Potoczek Airport (D46) -- A small grass strip airport in the northwest part of the town.
  • Rapids -- A hamlet at the northern town line. Rapids is officially in Niagara County, but partly extends into Erie County, divided by Tonawanda Creek.
  • Smiths Corners -- A former location in the northern part of the town near Rapids.
  • Sturnerville -- An historic location east of Harris Hill.
  • Swormsville is on the western border of the town and extends across the border into the Town of Amherst. The community has had its name spelled several different ways in the past, such as "Schwarmsville,"
  • Wolcottsburg (once called "West Prussia") is a hamlet in the northern part of the town, centered about a cluster of businesses, homes, and a church. The community is located by the intersection of Goodrich Road and Wolcott Road.

[edit] Additional Clarence facts

This town is partially a suburban community, and the remainder is light industry and agriculture. Town government offices are located in Clarence Center. Clarence, Iowa is named after the Town of Clarence.

Clarence is a major destination for antiques lovers. Along with various shops along Main Street, the huge Antique World on Main Street has been a popular western New York tradition, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2006. Kelly Schultz, a leading antiques expert in the Buffalo area, founded Antique World and has expanded his enterprise to include The Great Pumpkin Farm, down the road from Antique World.

[edit] Education

Most of the town is served by the Clarence Central School District. The Clarence school system is one of the best in both the state and county. The district contains one high school (Clarence Central High School), one middle school (Clarence Middle School), and four elementary schools (Clarence Center, Harris Hill, Ledgeview, and Sheridan Hill).

The Clarence District is not coterminous with the town lines and services students outside the town. Likewise other school districts penetrate the town as provide schools for town residents. The western part of the town is served by the Williamsville school system, also an excellent school system.

Clarence High School has three languages for students to choose from. They can take French, Latin, or Spanish.

[edit] Notable residents

  • Lindy Ruff, head coach of the Buffalo Sabres hockey club
  • Kevyn Adams, hockey player for the Carolina Hurricanes
  • Amanda Griswold, author and actress, attended Clarence High School
  • Joan Baez, prominent folk musician of the 1960's, had a love affair with Bob Dylan (Robert Zimmerman)

[edit] References

    1. ^ [1969] (1979) Reichler, Joseph L.: The Baseball Encyclopedia, 4th edition, New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.

[edit] External links


Municipalities and Communities of Erie County, New York
(County Seat: Buffalo)
Cities Buffalo | Lackawanna | Tonawanda
Towns Alden | Amherst | Aurora | Boston | Brant | Cheektowaga | Clarence | Collins | Concord | Eden | Elma | Evans | Grand Island | Hamburg | Holland | Lancaster | Marilla | Newstead | North Collins | Orchard Park | Sardinia | Tonawanda | Wales | West Seneca
Villages Alden | Angola | Blasdell | Depew | East Aurora | Farham | Gowanda | Hamburg | Kenmore | Lancaster | North Collins | Orchard Park | Sloan | Springville | Williamsville
CDPs Angola on the Lake | Billington Heights | Cheektowaga | Clarence Center | Eden | Elma Center | Harris Hill | Holland | Lake Erie Beach | North Boston | Tonawanda | Town Line | West Seneca
Reservations Cattaraugus Reservation | Tonawanda Reservation
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