Editing Gowanda, New York

{{distinguish|Gowanus, Brooklyn}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Gowanda, New York
|official_name            = 
|settlement_type          = [[Administrative divisions of New York#Village|Village]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = U.S. Post Office Gowanda NY Aug 10.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = U.S. Post Office, Gowanda, NY (2010)
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Erie County New York incorporated and unincorporated areas Gowanda highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] and the state of [[New York (state)|New York]]

<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[New York (state)|New York]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in New York|Counties]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Cattaraugus County, New York|Cattaraugus]], [[Erie County, New York|Erie]]
|subdivision_type3        = [[List of towns in New York|Towns]]
|subdivision_name3        = [[Persia, New York|Persia]], [[Collins, New York|Collins]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = <!-- Mayor -->
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref                = Imperial
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 4.17
|area_land_km2            = 4.13
|area_water_km2           = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="DP1"/>
|population_total         = 2513
|population_density_km2   = 609.09

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|elevation_footnotes      = 
|elevation_ft             = 761
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|27|48|N|78|56|11|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 14070
|area_code                = [[Area code 716|716]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 36-29630
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0951430
|website                  = {{URL|villageofgowanda.com}}
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
|population_density_sq_mi = 1577.53
|area_total_sq_mi = 1.61
|area_land_sq_mi = 1.59
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.02
}}

[[File:Partial North Side View of West Main Street, Gowanda, NY, 2007.jpg|thumb|Partial north side view of West Main Street, 2007]]
[[File:Gowanda High School Marching Band at Springville Pageant of Bands, 1988.jpg|thumb|Gowanda High School Marching Band at Springville Pageant of Bands, 1988]]
'''Gowanda''' is a [[Administrative divisions of New York#Village|village]] in western [[New York (state)|New York]],  United States. It lies partly in [[Erie County, New York|Erie County]] and partly in [[Cattaraugus County, New York|Cattaraugus County]]. The population was 2,513 at the 2020 census.<ref name="DP1">{{cite web|title=DP1: PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=160XX00US3629630|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 16, 2024}}</ref> The name is derived from a local [[Seneca language]] term meaning "almost surrounded by hills" or "a valley among the hills". The Erie County portion of Gowanda is part of the [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]]–[[Niagara Falls, New York|Niagara Falls]] [[Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area|metropolitan statistical area]], while the Cattaraugus County portion is part of the [[Olean, New York|Olean]] [[micropolitan statistical area]].

The village is partly in the Town of [[Collins, New York|Collins]] in Erie County and partly in the Town of [[Persia, New York|Persia]] in Cattaraugus County. Bordering Gowanda is the [[Cattaraugus Reservation, Cattaraugus County, New York|Cattaraugus Reservation]], which has a majority population of Seneca. Numerous European Americans live on the reservation in leased properties.

Gowanda Airport (D59) is a general-aviation grass strip. It is part of the Gernatt Family of Companies' land, located northwest of the village.

[[Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area|Zoar Valley]] on [[Cattaraugus Creek]] east of Gowanda features over {{convert|2000|acre|km2}} of wilderness, hiking trails and waterfalls.

==Geography==
Gowanda is located at {{Coord|42|27|48|N|78|56|11|W|type:city}} (42.463197, -78.936350).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the village has a total area of {{convert|4.2|sqkm|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|0.04|sqkm|order=flip|2}}, or 1.00%, is covered by water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3629630| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212191305/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3629630| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Gowanda village, New York| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 29, 2014}}</ref>

The village is split by [[Cattaraugus Creek]], the dividing boundary between Erie and Cattaraugus Counties, with the northern part of the village in Erie County and the southern in Cattaraugus.

The village is located on [[U.S. Route 62 in New York|US 62]], Broadway Road (County Road 4), [[New York State Route 39|NY 39]], and [[New York State Route 438|NY 438]]. The [[Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority|NFTA]] provided bus service in the area until it abandoned the route in 2011. The [[Seneca Nation of Indians|Seneca Transit System]] began serving the village in 2013.

The [[New York and Lake Erie Railroad|New York & Lake Erie Railroad]] has a depot in Gowanda, from which it runs both freight and occasional passenger rail service.

The [[Cattaraugus Reservation, Erie County, New York|Cattaraugus Reservation]] is located to the northwest of the village.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|align=left
|1870= 994
|1880= 1243
|1900= 2143
|1910= 2012
|1920= 2673
|1930= 3042
|1940= 3156
|1950= 3289
|1960= 3352
|1970= 3110
|1980= 2713
|1990= 2901
|2000= 2842
|2010= 2709
|2020= 2513
|estyear=2023
|estimate=2456
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2020-2023">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=August 16, 2024}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref>
}}
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, 2,842 people, 1,161 households, and 667 families were residing in the village. The population density was {{convert|1,772.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,277 housing units at an average density of {{convert|796.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the village was 62.47%% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.49% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 41.54% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.35% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.21% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.20% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.41% of the population.

There were 1,161 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.5% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 23.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $29,565, and the median income for a family was $39,094. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $25,281 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the village was $16,323. About 9.5% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

==History==

===Early habitation by American Indians===
The area was first inhabited during the Stone Age by nomadic [[Algonquian peoples]].<ref name="Redbook">Kirby, C.D. (1976). ''The Early History of Gowanda and The Beautiful Land of the Cattaraugus''. Gowanda, NY: Niagara Frontier Publishing Company, Inc./Gowanda Area Bi-Centennial Committee, Inc.</ref> An Algonquian earthwork mound from the first or second [[Stone Age]] is located on a farm in the area of Rosenberg along Zoar Valley near Gowanda.<ref name="Redbook" /> The mound is believed to be about 3,500 years old. Artifacts including spearheads, copper heads, and stone implements of a crude nature have been excavated from the site.<ref name="Redbook" /> In the latter half of the 14th century, [[Iroquoian]]-speaking peoples traveled to the area and lived along Cattaraugus Creek.<ref name="Redbook" /> They were proud, considering themselves to be "chosen people".<ref name="Redbook" /> Other tribes lived in the area around this time. The powerful nations of the Iroquois Confederacy defeated the [[Erie people]] (also an Iroquoian-speaking tribe), driving them out of the area or assimilating captives by adoption in certain clans. About this time, the [[Iroquois|Five Nations]] of the Confederacy coalesced as distinct peoples. They made a pact of cooperation rather than warfare. They controlled much of present-day New York state west of Albany and the Hudson River.<ref name="Redbook" />

After the [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]], the American government secured land treaties with the Iroquois nations in [[western New York]] in 1784 and 1788. Because the majority of the nations had been allies of the British, they were forced to cede most of their lands in New York after the British defeat and United States independence.<ref name="Redbook" />

In 1796 and 1797, [[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]] purchased extensive lands in the upstate areas, mostly American Indian lands, and mortgaged them to the [[Holland Land Company]] of [[Willem Willink]] and 11 associates of [[Amsterdam]] in the Netherlands.<ref name="Redbook" /> Excluded from his purchases in 1797 were territories for ten American Indian reservations within the state, with the [[Cattaraugus Reservation]] of {{convert|42|sqmi}} among these.<ref name="Redbook" /> Thereafter, two land offices of the Holland Land Company were opened in [[Batavia, New York]], and [[Danby, Vermont]].<ref name="Redbook" /> Many early settlers to Gowanda were from the Danby area, and many were [[Quakers]].<ref name="Redbook" />

===Settlement and incorporation===
Originally called "Aldrich's Mills" after the first European-American settler, Turner Aldrich, the European-American village was settled in 1810 and began to develop.<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="History">''Historical Sketch of the Village of Gowanda, N.Y. in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation, August 8, 1898''. Buffalo, NY: The Matthews-Northrup Company, Leonard, I.R., Reprinted 1998, Salem, MA: Higginson Book Company.</ref> He and his family of three sons and three daughters traveled up Cattaraugus Creek from [[Connecticut]], taking {{convert|707|acre}} of land, comprising a large portion of what is Gowanda today.<ref name="Redbook" /> Aldrich built a sawmill and in 1817 a gristmill. Records of farmers  coming from a {{convert|30|mi|adj=on}} radius for their grain to be ground are held by the historical society.<ref name="Redbook" /> At that time, farmers and pioneers traveled along American Indian trails through the dense forest, with their wagons being pulled by oxen.<ref name="Redbook" />

Jacob Taylor, a Quaker [[missionary]] from the Friends Yearly Meeting of [[Philadelphia]], was sent in 1809 to serve the American Indians in the area. Taylor Hollow is named for him.<ref name="Redbook" /> In 1811, he built, owned, and operated a sawmill and gristmill.<ref name="Redbook" /> Other missionaries accompanied Taylor, and though they called themselves a "family," they were not related.<ref name="Redbook" />

The village later adopted the name "Lodi", though there was confusion in mail delivery due to "[[Lodi, New York|Lodi]]" in [[Seneca County, New York]] (the post office officially used the name "West Lodi" for what is now Gowanda to distinguish the two). When the village was incorporated, it dropped that name, although the post office retained the name "Persia."<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="History" /> The Seneca in the area had once identified this place as ''Juc-Gowanda'', meaning "a valley among the hills".<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="History" /> The settlers adopted the name ''"Gowanda"'' for the village.<ref name="History" /> It was first incorporated in 1848, and was re-incorporated in 1878 under a new state regulation. At the latter time, the village extended its  territory to annex the nearby hamlet of Hidi.<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="History" />

===19th century===
Most of the village in Erie County, made up of wooden buildings, was destroyed by a fire in 1856. Another fire in 1875 burned many businesses in the Cattaraugus part.<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="History" />

A historical book about Gowanda identifies 120 men, including Caucasians and American Indians, who were Gowanda residents and who fought in the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] in New York regiments.<ref name="History" /> The same book also identifies six men who had been Gowanda residents, but who enlisted and fought in the Civil War with regiments from [[Ohio]], [[Wisconsin]], [[Pennsylvania]], and [[Michigan]].<ref name="History" />

Long associated with Gowanda although located outside its boundaries, the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children (also known as the "Thomas Indian School")<ref name="Redbook" /> was built following a gift of {{convert|50|acre}} of land on the Cattaraugus Reservation. The school was incorporated in 1855.<ref name="History" /> In June 1856, the institution opened and was immediately at capacity in housing 50 orphaned American Indian children.<ref name="History" /> The Thomas Asylum housed and schooled orphaned American Indian children for decades, until the latter part of the twentieth century.

In 1894, the Erie County Legislature passed an act that authorized establishment of the Homeopathic State Hospital<ref name="Redbook" /> (later known as the "Gowanda Psychiatric Center") in Gowanda and Collins.<ref name="History" /> Erie County purchased {{convert|500|acre}} of land for the hospital site, known as the "Taylor tract".<ref name="History" /> When the State Care Act was effected in 1894, the land was transferred<!-- from whom? --> to the State of New York, which conveyed it to the state hospital.<ref name="History" />

Since the late 20th century, the facility has been adapted for use as a correctional center. It borders Taylor Hollow Road in Gowanda. The road was named for the original owner of the land that was purchased and used for the State Hospital.<ref name="History" />

===20th century===

====Tanning and glue industries====
Important industries that flourished in Gowanda during the twentieth century, but which also polluted the adjoining Cattaraugus Creek, included the [[Peter Cooper]] Corporation Glue Factory and the Moench Tannery.<ref name="Redbook" /><ref name="Theatre">[https://www.proquest.com/docview/381229715? Community gets gift of Hollywood Theater for restoration], ''Buffalo News - Southern Tier Edition'', Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, December 16, 1996, O'Brien, B. | Accessdate November 2, 2013.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140610052216/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22405784.html Gowanda reeling under new job loss: Closing of tannery follows shutdown of psychiatric center]}}, ''Buffalo News'', Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, May 30, 1992, Robinson, D., In ''Highbeam.com'', Retrieved November 12, 2013</ref> The first [[tannery]] in Gowanda was begun by Samuel T. Munger in 1829,<ref name="Redbook" /> although one was already in operation by Smith Bartlett since 1815 in Collins.<ref name="Redbook" /> In 1829, to tan one side of leather in six months was considered quick work.<ref name="Redbook" /> Other tanneries in operation in Gowanda were by the Benton Brothers; K. Webster (which was purchased by Agle & Sons in 1860); and Albert Gaensslen. In 1852, Albert Gaensslen converted the former wool factory in Gowanda to a leather plant with 12 liquor vats. The Gaensslen Brothers tannery manufactured only shoe sole leather. Gaensslen Brothers tannery was established in 1855; reorganizing as Gaensslen, Fisher & Company in 1896, following the partnership with E.C. Fisher.<ref name="Redbook" /> In 1879, the Gaensslen Brothers tannery "included 250 liquor vats and shipped 20,000 sides of sole leather to [[Cleveland]] each year."<ref name="Redbook" /> Additionally, the Agle & Sons tannery was expanded, containing 40 liquor vats and annually finishing 700 sides of leather by 1879.<ref name="Redbook" />

A [[glue factory]] was originally started in association with the Gaensslen Brothers Tannery in 1874 in order to utilize the tanning waste.<ref name="Redbook" /> At that time, {{convert|30000|lb}} of glue was produced annually.<ref name="Redbook" /> The first construction of Richard Wilhelm's Eastern Tanners Glue Company plant began on May 5, 1904.<ref name="Redbook" /> In 1898, tanning factory waste from the now-reorganized Gaensslen, Fisher & Company tannery produced {{convert|300000|to|400000|lb}} of glue.<ref name="Redbook" /> In 1899, the tannery was purchased by C. Moench & Sons.<ref name="Redbook" /> Although it was purchased by the Brown Shoe Company in 1925, it existed as the Moench Tanning Company, Incorporated.<ref name="Redbook" />

====America's glue capital====
A 1976 historical book about Gowanda states that the Eastern Tanners Glue Company begun by Richard Wilhelm, and later purchased and operated by the Peter Cooper Corporations, was "the largest glue making plant in the world."<ref name="Redbook" /> Gowanda, therefore, was known as America's glue capital.<ref name="Redbook" />

===21st century===
The [[Bank of Gowanda]] building and [[Gowanda Village Historic District]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|2009a}}</ref>  The historic Hollywood Theatre is also located in Gowanda.<ref name="Theatre" />

==Notable recent events==

===Cultural events and entertainment===
Gowanda hosts the Hollywood Happening, bringing a focus to the historic and restored Hollywood Theatre.<ref name="Theatre" /><ref name="Harvest">[http://villageofgowanda.com/html/gevents.htm Village of Gowanda, NY: Bridging two counties, est. 1848] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113061810/http://villageofgowanda.com/html/gevents.htm |date=November 13, 2013 }}, ''VillageofGowanda.com'', Gowanda, NY, Retrieved November 12, 2013</ref> It lasts from Friday to Sunday, usually the first weekend in June.<ref name="Harvest" /> Main Street of Gowanda is shut down for the event,<ref name="Harvest" /> which provides parking for numerous motorcycles and beer tents. Many local Western New York rock, country, and blues bands are featured. There are also several food and merchandise vendors who sponsor and participate in the event.<ref name="Harvest" /> Attendance for the 2008 Hollywood Happening was estimated to be around 22,000 people for the entire weekend.

Beginning about 2000, the Harvest Heritage Festival has been held every year in the fall, with many local businesses and private home owners opening up their residences for historical garden tours.<ref name="Harvest" /> A [[scarecrow]] contest is also held in which local businesses compete.<ref name="Harvest" /> Afterwards, the scarecrows are hung up around town to scare the children on [[Halloween]]. Gowanda also hosts Pine Hill Cemetery tours that are free and open to the public. The events usually last two hours, and are held every weekend during the month of October at midnight. Tours include period reenactments of those buried in the cemetery, and detailed stories of their lives. A staged reenactment of the 1861 murder of Private Lee Crawford and Beulah Snyder also takes place. Locally brewed Chuck Barlow's Millhouse Cider sponsors the event, and offers refreshments during the festivities.

Parts of the 1987 comedy movie ''[[Planes, Trains and Automobiles]]'', starring [[Steve Martin]] and [[John Candy]], were filmed at the Gowanda Train Depot, as well as the Olympia Diner on Jamestown Street.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093748/locations IMDb: Planes, trains & automobiles: Filming locations], IMDb.com, Retrieved November 12, 2013</ref> The [[New York and Lake Erie Railroad]], a short rail line serving northwestern Cattaraugus County, is headquartered in Gowanda and offers freight and occasional passenger service.<ref>[http://www.nylerr.com/NYLE.php New York & Lake Erie Railroad], nylerr.com, Retrieved November 12, 2013</ref>

===Flood of 2009 and related events===
Throughout the years, Gowanda has regularly experienced [[flood]]ing. In August 2009, a great [[flash flood]] occurred in Gowanda and devastated much of the village.<ref name="FEMA">[http://post-journal.com/page/content.detail/id/634802/Gowanda-To-Receive--700K-In-FEMA-Funding.html?nav=5004 Gowanda to receive $700K in FEMA funding], ''The Post-Journal'', Jamestown, NY: The Post Journal, January 31, 2014, Retrieved February 3, 2014.</ref><ref name="Monies">[http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/593493/Over--700K-going-to-Gowanda.html?nav=5047 Over $700K going to Gowanda], ''The Observer'', Dunkirk, NY, January 31, 2014, Retrieved February 10, 2014.</ref> One man drowned, and houses and cars were washed away.<ref name="FEMA" /><ref name="Monies" /> A total of two fatalities were caused directly from the flooding. During the flood, Gowanda's water [[reservoir]] at Point Peter Road was completely destroyed, leaving the village without water.<ref name="FEMA" /><ref name="Monies" /> It was estimated that it would take one year to rebuild the reservoir. New York State declared the village a disaster site, as did President [[Barack Obama]].<ref name="FEMA" /><ref name="Monies" /> [[Federal Emergency Management Agency|FEMA]] was tapped to assist the town in rebuilding.<ref name="FEMA" /><ref name="Monies" /> In January 2014, it was announced by Governor [[Andrew Cuomo]] that Gowanda would be compensated with $700,000 in monies from FEMA for expenses paid in rebuilding the village after the 2009 flood.<ref name="FEMA" /><ref name="Monies" />

The Tri-County Memorial Hospital (Tri-County) was devastated beyond repair during the 2009 flood, and was demolished.<ref name="Hospital">[http://www.observertoday.com/page/content.detail/id/587285/A-change-of-plans.html?nav=5047 A change of plans: LERHSNY will not rebuild Tri-County in Perrysburg], ''The Observer'', Dunkirk, NY: John D'Agostino, July 28, 2013, McDonnell, S., Retrieved November 12, 2013</ref> Initial plans were to relocate the hospital to another location in [[Perrysburg (town), New York|Perrysburg]]<ref name="Hospital" /> out of the flood zone. The relocation would utilize $18.5&nbsp;million in FEMA aid. TLC, the operators of Tri-County, would have needed to raise $2.3&nbsp;million to fund the project. The proposal came under fire from residents of towns to the southeast, such as [[Cattaraugus, New York|Cattaraugus]] and [[Little Valley, New York|Little Valley]], who noted that Gowanda is located less than {{convert|15|mi}} from hospitals in either direction ([[Dunkirk, New York|Dunkirk]] and [[Springville, New York|Springville]]), while residents of Cattaraugus and Little Valley must travel {{convert|25|mi}} or more to the nearest hospital (which, until the flood, was Tri-County).

In July 2013, TLC announced it was abandoning its plans to reconstruct the hospital, noting that the existing hospitals in the region had more than enough capacity to meet demand, and would instead maintain an [[urgent care]] facility in Gowanda.<ref name="Hospital" /> Gary Rhodes, interim CEO of Lake Erie Regional Health System of New York, stated that it would not be economical to rebuild the hospital due to declining revenues, decreasing area population, and because of other hospitals within the system being nearby.<ref name="Hospital" /> The hospital's closure had a significant negative impact on the village, leading to declines at several local businesses.

===Flood of 2014===
Gowanda experienced another flood, resulting in a state of emergency, when two waterways, Cattaraugus Creek and Thatcher Brook, flooded their banks in May 2014.<ref name="Flood2014">[http://www.wgrz.com/story/weather/storm-team-2/2014/05/13/gowanda-flooding-emergency-weather/9030425/ Gowanda declares state of emergency due to flooding], ''WGRZ.com'', Buffalo, NY: WGRZ, May 14, 2014, Retrieved May 14, 2014.</ref><ref name="Floodphotos">[http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BN&Date=20140513&Category=PHOTOGALLERIES&ArtNo=513009999&Ref=PH Heavy rains flood Gowanda, Silver Creek, N. Collins], ''The Buffalo News'', Buffalo, NY: Berkshire Hathaway, May 14, 2014, Retrieved May 14, 2014.</ref><ref name="Mud">[http://wivb.com/2014/05/13/officials-ask-gowanda-residents-to-conserve-water/ Streets in Gowanda turn to rivers carrying mud] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516060101/http://wivb.com/2014/05/13/officials-ask-gowanda-residents-to-conserve-water/ |date=May 16, 2014 }}, ''WIVB.com'', Buffalo, NY: WIVB, May 13, 2014, Lenihan, E., Retrieved May 14, 2014.</ref> Two elderly residents were evacuated from their homes as a safety precaution.<ref name="Flood2014" /> One elderly resident was hospitalized as a result of injuries sustained when a tree fell and she was hit; her injuries were not life-threatening.<ref name="Mud" />

As a result of the flood, Gowanda's water reservoir was damaged and contaminated, being shut down.<ref name="Flood2014" />  Residents were asked to conserve water and not use it for activities such as washing their cars.<ref name="Flood2014" />  Mayor Heather McKeever stated that the most costly facet of clean-up from the flooding would likely be the reservoir's repair, with initial repair estimates of approximately $500,000 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000|start_year=2014}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}).<ref name="Flood2014" /> Residents pumped flood waters from their basements, and semi-truck loads of mud were hauled away as part of clean-up efforts.<ref name="Floodphotos" /><ref name="Mud" />

Officials used a system called "Code Red" to notify residents to take precautions due to the rains.<ref name="Mud" />  Residents were notified, electronically, at 7:30&nbsp;am, and waterways had overflowed by 8:45&nbsp;am.<ref name="Mud" />  About 200 families in Gowanda were affected by the flooding, with 30 homes being flooded with water and mud.<ref name="Mud" /> The children of Gowanda had school that day. The bus drivers were given a hard time about going on to certain closed roads.

==Notable people==
*[[Albertus W. Catlin]], US general
*[[John Elliot (songwriter)|John Elliot]], songwriter
*[[Daniel Garnsey]], former US congressman
*[[Joseph Giglio]], New York state assemblyman
*[[Gregory Lamberson]], film director and novelist
*[[Bill Paxon]], former US congressman
*[[Jared Sidney Torrance]], founder of [[Torrance, California]]

==Recreational areas==
* Chang Hu Park – A memorial park dedicated to the late Drs. Chang and Hu who were influential in the town's planning and building process.
* McIntosh Woods – Woods located between the town of Collins and the village of Gowanda. It was named due to the now wild McIntosh apple trees which were planted for the former psychiatric facility patients to enjoy.<ref name="History" />
* Creekside Park – located along Cattaraugus Creek in the heart of Gowanda which was revitalized into a historic park area.
* [[Zoar Valley]] – A scenic valley formed by Cattaraugus Creek upstream from Gowanda.

==Correctional facilities==
[[File:Partial View of Gowanda Correctional Facility with Power Plant in Background at Left, September 1996.jpg|thumb|Partial view of [[Gowanda Correctional Facility]] with power plant in background at left, September 1996]]
Formerly the Gowanda Psychiatric Center,<ref name="History" /> the [[Gowanda Correctional Facility]], which opened in 1994, and the [[Collins Correctional Facility]], which opened in 1982, are north of the village.<ref name="GowandaCF">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000122012332/http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Downs/3548/facility/gowanda.htm Hosting innovative programming: Gowanda]}}, ''Webcitation.org'' from the original at ''Geocities.com'', November 1999, Retrieved March 18, 2014.</ref><ref name="Prison">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140318220107/http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82946 Gowanda Correctional Facility]}}, ''PrisonTalk.com'', October 9, 2004, Retrieved March 18, 2014.</ref> They are medium security prisons, and overlook the village below.

Gowanda Correctional facility housed more than 2,300 inmates, and was the second-largest prison in New York State.<ref name="GowandaCF" /><ref name="Prison" /> It featured one of the largest [[sex offender]] counseling programs of the New York State prison system.<ref name="GowandaCF" />

==Educational institutions==
Gowanda Central School System - A public school system that includes Gowanda Central High and Middle Schools, Gowanda Elementary School, and Aldrich Street (primary) School. The high school is located to the west, just outside the village limits. 

Gowanda Christian Academy also operates in the village.

Saint Joseph's School, a [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] institution, operated in the village until its closure in 2014.

==See also==
*[[Collins, New York]]
*[[Zoar, New York]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://villageofgowanda.com Village of Gowanda official website]
* [http://www.GowandaAHS.org Gowanda Area Historical Society & Museum]
* [http://www.gowcsd.org Gowanda Central School District]
* [http://www.gowandachamber.org  Gowanda Chamber of Commerce]

{{Cattaraugus County, New York}}
{{Erie County, New York}}

 <!-- applies only to the Erie County portion of Gowanda -->

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Villages in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Villages in Cattaraugus County, New York]]
[[Category:Villages in Erie County, New York]]