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Clarence, New York

Clarence is a town and affluent suburb located in the northeastern part of Erie County, New York, United States, northeast of Buffalo. The population was 32,950 according to the 2020 census estimate.[2] This represents an increase of 7.4% from the 2010 census figure.[3] The Clarence census-designated place occupies the southeast part of the town and roughly corresponds to a postal district with ZIP code 14031 and 14221 in the western side which it shares with nearby Williamsville. The town is named in honor of Prince William, Duke of Clarence and St Andrews (1765–1837), the third son of King George III and later king himself, as William IV.[4]

There are no incorporated villages within the town.

History

Early history

The local Native Americans called the area Ta-Num-No-Ga-O, which means "Place of Hickory Bark".

Clarence was the first town to be established in Erie County (1808), and many other towns, villages, and cities have been formed from parts of this original town. In 1810, the town of Buffalo, from which the city of Buffalo later originated, was separated from Clarence. Then in 1823, Newstead and Alden were formed respectively from the east and southeast parts of Clarence. Then finally in 1833, Lancaster was also formed from the town. The defunct town of Willink was also a source of new towns, primarily in the south part of the county, 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 Willink, originally part of Genesee County. Clarence was split off from Willink in 1804, before Niagara County was created from part of Genesee County in 1808. Clarence (in the north) and Willink (in the south) then comprised the entire area of what would, in 1821, become Erie County.

One of the first settlers (1799) in the town was Asa Ransom, who has given his name to several locations. He settled in the southeast part of the town, now known as the Clarence Hollow. In 1807, Asa Harris, a former colonial officer from the American Revolution, established a tavern in the community of Harris Hill in the southwest part of Clarence.

Some have suggested that the town is named after a type of carriage, called a clarence. Such a carriage is pictured on a sign at the eastern edge of town. However, the name probably derives from the English Dukedom of Clarence in London, which also gave its name to the aforementioned carriage.[4]

During the War of 1812, the press of the Buffalo Gazette was moved to Clarence, out of harm's way of the British troops.

German was a common language amongst new Clarentians in Early Clarence, most of whom moved from Germany.

Later history

By the end of the 19th century, industry came to the town in the form of brick kilns, potash mining and gypsum mining. National Gypsum and Atlas Gypsum operated mines in the 20th century west of Clarence Center north of Roll Road near the intersection with Harris Hill Road. Quarries also became more commonly established at this time in history in Clarence.

One historian credits Clarence as the site of the introduction of the carrousel to the United States. These carrousels were carried by two German immigrants, who entered Clarence in 1879. Artifacts from the Clarence carrousels are now preserved in the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, Florida. Including wooden horses built by the original immigrants who brought the carrousel to Clarence.[5]

The town celebrated its bicentennial in 2008. The former Automobile Club of Buffalo clubhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.[6]

Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash

On February 12, 2009, Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center around 22:20 EST. The commuter flight was operating between Newark Liberty International Airport and Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The aircraft involved was a Bombardier Q400. There were 45 passengers and four crew members killed, as well as one victim on the ground.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 53.6 square miles (138.9 km2), of which 53.5 square miles (138.6 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.3 km2), or 0.25%, is water.[2]

The north border of the town is marked by Tonawanda Creek and is the border with Niagara County.

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. The eastern terminus of NY Route 324, Sheridan Drive, is located in Clarence at the intersection of NY-5 and Thompson Road. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) is immediately south of the town.

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.

Nearby cities and towns

Clarence is northeast of the city of Buffalo, west of the city of Batavia, and south of the city of Lockport.

The following towns border Clarence:

Major highways

Demographics

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 26,123 people, 9,154 households, and 7,204 families residing in the town. The population density was 489.2 inhabitants per square mile (188.9/km2). There were 9,497 housing units at an average density of 177.8 per square mile (68.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 71.33% White, 1.38% Asian, 29.12% African American, 0.16% Native American, 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 $88,003, and the median income for a family was $107,998. 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.

Politics and government

Politics

Government

Clarence has a Town Council for its Legislative body and a Town Supervisor for its Executive, the Town Supervisor, as well as the Town Council are elected At-Large.

Communities and locations

Communities

Principal locations or settlements in the town are:

Physiographic locations

Cultural institutions

Education

Most of the town is served by the Clarence Central School District, which contains one high school (Clarence High School), one middle school (Clarence Middle School), and four elementary schools (Clarence Center, Harris Hill, Ledgeview, and Sheridan Hill).

Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church Elementary school offers K-8 Catholic education, now with a 3-4 year old pre-school program.

Notable residents

Sister city

References

  1. ^ "2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Clarence town, Erie County, New York". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 10, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  3. ^ "2010 Census City and Town Growth via NYPIRG". Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Baker, Oneta (1983). History of the Town of Clarence. Interlaken, New York: Heart of the Lakes. p. 23.
  5. ^ Baker, Oneta (1983). History of the Town of Clarence. Interlaken, New York: Heart of the Lakes Publishing. pp. 145–150.
  6. ^ "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 8/06/12 through 8/10/12. National Park Service. August 17, 2012. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2012.
  7. ^ "Clarence Travel Plaza". New York State Thruway Authority. Archived from the original on November 26, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  10. ^ "Elections Archive - Erie County Board of Elections". elections.erie.gov. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "Public Officials | Town of Clarence, NY".
  12. ^ Baker, Oneta (1983). History of the Town of Clarence. Interlaken, New York: Heart of the Lakes Publishing. p. 174.
  13. ^ Bob Dylan's Musical Roots - Joan Baez (Page 2)
  14. ^ Reichler, Joseph L., ed. (1979) [1969]. The Baseball Encyclopedia (4th ed.). New York: Macmillan Publishing. ISBN 0-02-578970-8.
  15. ^ "Former Sabres captain Jason Pominville says goodbye to Buffalo". June 16, 2020.
  16. ^ "General Manager Darcy Regier bio". Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved February 25, 2013.
  17. ^ Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland. 1955. p. 446. Retrieved August 27, 2013.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)

External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Clarence, New York.