Silver Creek, New York

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Silver Creek, New York
settlement_type = Village
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
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pushpin_label_position =
pushpin_map_caption =Location within the state of New York
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mapsize =
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = New York
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Chautauqua
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 3.0
area_land_km2 = 3.0
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.2
area_land_sq_mi = 1.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 2896
population_density_km2 = 956.7
population_density_sq_mi = 2477.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 179
elevation_ft = 587
latd = 42 |latm = 32 |lats = 39 |latNS = N
longd = 79 |longm = 10 |longs = 2 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 14136
area_code = 716
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 36-67411
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0970603
website =
footnotes =

Silver Creek is a village located in Chautauqua County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 2,896. The village is named after a small river that runs through the village.

The Village of Silver Creek is on the shore of Lake Erie and within the Town of Hanover.

History

The community was first settled around 1803 and the first school house was erected around 1823. In 1822, a famous black walnut tree, measuring about 10 feet in diameter, was blown over in a storm.

The Village of Silver Creek was incorporated in 1848. It was an important port on Lake Erie until railroads reduced shipping.

Silver Creek is home to a Skew Arch Railroad Bridge, one of two bridges in the world built on an angle.

Silver Creek's most famous resident is Howard "Bob" Ehmke. He was the pitching hero of the 1929 World Series. While playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, Ehmke struck out 13 Chicago Cubs in Game 1, a World Series record until 1953.

Former NBA and ABA professional basketball player George Carter is also a Silver Creek Central graduate. Carter starred at St. Bonaventure University and later participated in the 1971 ABA All Star Game.

Geography

Silver Creek is located at 42°32'39" North, 79°10'2" West (42.544083, -79.167088)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles (3.0 km²), of which, 1.2 square miles (3.0 km²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.

Silver Creek is part of the Lake Erie Basin. The two creeks in the village, Silver Creek and Walnut Creek, empty into the lake.

Silver Creek is at the junction NYS Route 5 (Central Avenue) and US Route 20 (Main Street) and north of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90).

Silver Creek is on the New York-to-Chicago Main Line of CSXT and on the New York-Buffalo-Chicago Main Line of the Norfolk Southern Railway. The CSXT line through Silver Creek was formerly operated by the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), successor to the Penn Central, successor to the New York Central Railroad, successor to the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, successor to the Lake Shore Railroad, successor to the Buffalo & Erie Railway, the original line. The Norfolk Southern line through Silver Creek was formerly operated by the Norfolk & Western Railway, successor to the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate Road [NKP] ), the original line. The Penn Central's (former Pennsylvania Railroad)(PRR) Buffalo-Corry (PA)-Pittsburgh line formerly operated through Silver Creek. The single-track lines of the NKP and PRR were jointly operated to form a double-track line which was used by trains of both railroads. The former PRR line was abandoned c. 1976 by order of the Interstate Commerce Commission to promote highway transportation. From c.1907 to c. 1933 Silver Creek was on the Buffalo-to-Erie Main Line of the Buffalo & Erie Railway (successor to the Buffalo & Lake Erie Traction Company), a high-speed electric interurban railway. It was abandoned on order of the New York Public Service Commission to promote highway transportation.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 2,896 people, 1,150 households, and 770 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,477.9 people per square mile (955.7/km²). There were 1,319 housing units at an average density of 1,128.6/sq mi (435.3/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 96.69% White, 0.28% African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.24% from other races, and 1.04% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,150 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.0% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the village the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,446, and the median income for a family was $38,617. Males had a median income of $33,889 versus $19,464 for females. The per capita income for the village was $15,904. 12.9% of the population and 9.8% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.8% of those under the age of 18 and 1.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Grape Festival

Every year in September, Silver Creek hosts the annual Grape Festival. This is one weekend where kids can come down and ride rides, or what most people really enjoy, the food. From delicious pizza, to tacos and taffy, everything is available at the Grape Festival. It first began in [http://www.silvercreekny.com/Silver%20Creek%20Time%20Line.htm 1968] .

The Grape Festival also has a wonderful parade. The parade has beautiful floats, marching bands, karate demonstrations, dance performances, and old fashion cars. There are also performances done by skilled mini bikes, to entertain the crowd. There is also a talent show for Miss Festival of Grapes, Jr. Miss Festival, Little Miss Festival and Prince of the Festival. The winners of the talent show ride in the parade and before that they compete in the Grape Stomp. [http://townofhanover.org/content/LocalEventCategories/Home/:item=1&field=events;/content/LocalEvents/View/1 Grape Festival]

School

Silver Creek has an exemplary school district. The school has been recognized by Business First as the number one overachieving school district in Western New York, as shown by a comparison of academic outcomes and socioeconomic conditions for the past two years in a row.

In Silver Creek, all three of the schools are connected to ensure an easier transition into the next stage of learning. The elementary school is attached to the middle school which forms into the high school and is the end of a student’s grade school education.

School Athletics

At Silver Creek Central School, the athletics are very well supported. [http://cu.westfieldrepublican.com/pages/user_detail.php?user=144557] The athletic director is Mr. Sean Helmer. The school colors are black and old gold. The mascot is the black knight. There are over ten choices of different athletics for girls and boys for every season. There are modified, junior varsity, and varsity athletics.

References

External links

* [http://www.silvercreekny.com Village of Silver Creek webpage]
* [http://www.silvercreekny.com/village%20departments.htm Village government of Silver Creek]
* [http://www.silvercreek.wnyric.org Silver Creek Central School District website]