history area

Area - Dunkirk - Chadwick's Bay

The western section of New York, comprising the counties of Erie, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Alleghany, is sometimes spoken of as the Allegheny Valley, because the greater part of these divisions are drained by that stream. The geologist speaks of the section as the Chautauqua Basin. Once its waters flowed to the north through great gorges. Then came the Glacial period, the Great Lakes became icy seas, changes in the elevation of the surface took place, and, when the glaciers began to melt, the only outlets for the water were to the south by way of the Alleghany river and its tributaries. The archeologist knows the region as the Erie Valley, not because of its proximity to the lake, but because of its former occupancy by the Erie Indians. This tribe had settled in the valley, and were the first to plant its lands. By the thousands to whom this western part of the State is either home, or the home of their forefathers, the valley is considered the section where the thrift of the East is combined with the progressiveness of the West where bustling Buffalo is the lusty leader in industry, Chautauqua and its assembly, representing culture and pleasure, spreads it fame; where a great section of more than 5,000 square miles (including parts of the neighboring Pennsylvania) is one vast farm on which the fruits, grains and cattle approach perfection.