| Bemus Point | |
|---|---|
| — Village — | |
| From right to left: The Village Casino, Stow Ferry landing, The Italian Fisherman and floating stage | |
| Motto: Get to the Point… Bemus Point | |
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Bemus Point
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Chautauqua |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Bryan P. Dahlberg (R) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km2) |
| • Land | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,322 ft (403 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 340 |
| • Density | 782.9/sq mi (305.3/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 14712 |
| Area code(s) | 716 |
| FIPS code | 36-05848 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0943649 |
Bemus Point is a village in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. The village is within the Town of Ellery and located along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake. The population was 340 at the 2000 census. Bemus Point is also home of the floating stage with many performers during the summer.
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Bemus Point is located at (42.162886, -79.391230)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all of it land.
The village is immediately north of the location where Interstate 86 crosses Chautauqua Lake. The Village has recently just won their second State football championship.
Bemus point is home to many restaurants including the See Zurh House, the Italian Fisherman, the Surf Club and the Village Casino. Bemus Point also has a 9 hole golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts, a small beach, park and free boat launch. It also is the home of the first ever women's cross county state champions for 2010.
The extended area commonly known as Bemus Point includes most of the region immediately outside the village. This includes the communities of Ellery Center, Centraila, Driftwood, and Cheney's Point. The extended area offers some of the region's most desirable real estate, due to the unique sunsets visible on the eastern shore of the lake.
The area currently known as Bemus Point was first settled by William Bemus in 1806. Bemus had purchased land on both sides of Chautauqua Lake from the Land Company in 1805 at a cost of $1.50. He moved his family to the east side of the lake (in the area now known as Bemus Point) on March 9, 1806. The Bemus family lived in a log cabin approximately 500–660 feet northeast of the current ferry landing site.[2]
The ferry located in Bemus Point on Watson Road was founded in 1811 by Thomas Bemus. The original ferry was a raft built by Thomas, and had to be poled across the lake.[2] Today, a cable-drawn ferry exists in its place and is operated by the Chautauqua Lake Historic Vessels Company. Until the nearby bridge (Now part of I-86) opened Oct 30, 1982, the Bemus-Stow Ferry was the only way to cross Chautauqua Lake. When closed for the winter months, motorist had to travel north-west to Mayville, or south-east to Jamestown to reach Stow. Either way was a 19-mile round trip. Local residents often purchased a seasonal pass to use the ferry, commuting to Lakewood, Sherman, or other areas west of the lake.
Watson Road features many historic houses including the Strok's, Kuntz, and Groths which have been there for over 100 years. Thomas lived on the west side of the lake directly across from Bemus Point, in the area now known as Stow.
Throughout the 1800s, Bemus Point gained popularity as a tourist destination, which promoted its growth and development. By the early 1900s, a dance hall known as the Casino, which still exists under the same name, became a well-known venue for entertainment, particularly big band music.[2] Today Bemus Point is still a popular summer tourist destination, with a large influx of summer population.
In the summer, Bemus Point hosts its 'Bemus Bay Pops' concert which involves many local musicians and is also host to the "Chautauqua Idol", similar to American Idol.
The Village of Bemus Point was incorporated in 1911.
United States Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby died here.
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 340 people, 170 households, and 95 families residing in the village. The population density was 782.8 people per square mile (305.3/km²). There were 218 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (195.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.65% White, 0.88% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.29% from other races, and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of the population.
There were 170 households out of which 18.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 38.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 24.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.65.
In the village the population was spread out with 17.6% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $46,250. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $25,625 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,943. About 3.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
The entire village is within the Bemus Point Central School District (BPCSD).
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