Yorkshire in Cattaraugus County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Upper Cattaraugus Valley

Historic New York

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 19, 2015

1. Upper Cattaraugus Valley Marker

Inscription. Erie Indians were the first inhabitants of this region. In 1654, they were driven out by the Senecas who occupied several sites along the banks of Cattaraugus Creek. The Cattaraugus, the principal stream of many that divide the Cattaraugus Hills, flows westward in a circuitous course, plunging through deep gorges and rippling by wide flats, before entering Lake Erie.
The Holland Land Company purchased the area in 1797. It was surveyed by Joseph Ellicott and Paul Busti who became the Company's agents and opened the land to settlement. A few persons built log houses here beginning in 1807. Following the War of 1812 settlement increased steadily with the arrival of families from New England.
Pioneer life had many hardships because of topography, the relatively short growing season and inadequate transportation. Lumber, cheese and maple sugar were the staple products. Leather tanning developed, and local grist mills, textile factories and machine works used the ample supply of water power. The Buffalo and Washington Railway, later part of the Pennsylvania line, arrived in Arcade in 1871 to furnish service to Buffalo and later to Pittsburgh. The region remains largely rural with dairy production an important part of the agrarian economy.

Erected 1963 by New York State Education Department,

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Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic New York State series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1654.

Location. 42° 31.325′ N, 78° 28.681′ W. Marker is in Yorkshire, New York, in Cattaraugus County. It is on New York State Route 16 ¼ mile south of Route 39, on the left when traveling south. Marker is at a public rest area (no facilities). Rest areas are on either side of NY 16, but the marker is only on the east side. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yorkshire NY 14173, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Southern Tier.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: First Frame House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Dedicated to Our Veterans (approx. 2.1 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 2.2 miles away); In Honor of All Veterans (approx. 2.3 miles away); Former Baptist Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); United Church of Christ, Congregational (approx. 2.8 miles away); Caboose #303 (approx. 2.9 miles away); Box Car #411 (approx. 2.9 miles away).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Markers for the Holland Land Company,

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 19, 2015

2. Southward

Joseph Ellicott and Paulo Busti.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 19, 2015

3. Northward

Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 4, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 777 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 4, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.