Wellsville in Allegany County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Tanbark City

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2021

1. Tanbark City Marker

Inscription. From 1845 to 1905, Wellsville was home to several tanneries that were reported to be the largest in the world. They provided work for hundreds of people in lumbering and tanning. Hemlock bark was used in the tanning process and was stacked in huge piles resembling houses, prompting Wellsville to be nicknamed "Tanbark City".

Erected 2016 by Lions Club of Wellsville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 42° 7.057′ N, 77° 56.462′ W. Marker is in Wellsville, New York, in Allegany County. Marker is on South Main Street just north of West Dyke Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30 West Dyke Street, Wellsville NY 14895, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Van Buren Hotel & Fassett House (approx. 0.3 miles away); David A Howe (approx. half a mile away); Gardiner Wells (approx. half a mile away); Erie Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); William F. Jones 1826-1910 / Gertrude F. Jones 1841-1920 (approx. 0.6 miles away); 1885 • Fish Survey • 1935 (approx. 3.7 miles away);

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Town of Scio (approx. 4.3 miles away); Triangle No. 1 (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wellsville.

Also see . . . "Tanbark City". For most of the nineteenth century, the tanning of sole leather was a vital part of the economy of Wellsville. Many German families came to Wellsville to work in the tanneries. Many Germans were skilled at tanning and had their fares to America paid by the tanneries ¡n return for their promise to work and re-pay the money from their wages. The abundant hemlock forests of early Wellsville provided the necessary raw material, hemlock bark, from which was extracted a liquid which was put in vats where hides were soaked. (Submitted on June 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2021

2. Tanbark City Marker

(looking north along South Main Street)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 335 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.