The ghost town of Onoville, New York tells a compelling story of boom and bust in America’s development. Once a thriving community with hopes for a prosperous future, it now exists primarily in historical records and the memories of those who study New York’s past.
County: Cattaraugus
Zip Code: Not available
Latitude / Longitude: 42°1′58″N 78°59′36″W / 42.03278°N 78.99333°W / 42.03278
Elevation: 1,411 ft (430 m)
Time Zone: Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
Established: Not available
Disestablished: Not available
Comments: Historical surveys confirm that south Valley is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 264 at the 2010 census. The name is from the town’s geographical attributes. The town is in the southwest corner of the county. It is east of the city of Jamestown.
Remains: The abandoned location now the town was first settled in 1798 by Quaker missionaries, who attempted to teach the local Indians agriculture and skills needed to cooperate with non-native settlers. The Quakers started a school in 1803 and erected a sawmill in 1812, but the mill caused dissension in the tribe and, at the request of Seneca leaders Cornplanter and Handsome Lake, was pulled down.
Current Status: Today, the area is a few scattered businesses operate in the town, including two prominent restaurants, the Horseshoe Inn on West Bank Perimeter Road and the Nic-L-Inn on Bone Run Road. Some small convenience stores and boating supply shops operate near the marina.
Remarks: The rise and fall of Onoville mirrors the boom-and-bust cycles that characterized much of New York’s early development. Its story continues to resonate with those interested in understanding the challenges of frontier life.
Onoville, New York stands as a poignant example of a community sacrificed for infrastructure development, a ghost town whose remains now lie beneath the waters of the Allegheny Reservoir. Once a small but vibrant hamlet in Cattaraugus County in the southwestern corner of New York State, Onoville’s story reflects the complex relationship between rural communities, natural resources, and large-scale public works projects in mid-20th century America.
Origins and Early Settlement
The area that would become Onoville was part of the traditional territory of the Seneca Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. European settlement in the broader region began in 1798 when Quaker missionaries arrived to establish relations with the local Native American population. The Quakers aimed to teach agriculture and other skills to facilitate cooperation between native and non-native peoples.
The Quakers established a school in 1803 and built a sawmill in 1812, though the latter caused dissension among the Seneca and was eventually dismantled at the request of Seneca leaders Cornplanter and Handsome Lake. Cornplanter, who spent his final years on a tract of land just south of what would become South Valley (the town that encompassed Onoville), maintained respectful if sometimes strained relations with the Quaker settlers.
The town of South Valley, which would later include the hamlet of Onoville, was officially formed in 1847, carved from the southern part of the town of Randolph. Like many communities in the region, South Valley’s early economy depended heavily on lumber, taking advantage of the abundant forests and the Allegheny River for transportation.
Development and Community Life
Onoville developed as a small hamlet within South Valley, situated along the Allegheny River. The community’s name has an interesting origin story that speaks to the character of its residents. According to local lore, the settlement was initially nicknamed ‘Jugville,’ possibly due to the prevalence of moonshine production or consumption in the area. When this unflattering nickname was presented to the residents, they reportedly exclaimed ‘Oh, no!’ in objection. A quick-witted resident then suggested ‘Onoville’ as an alternative, and the name stuck.
By the late 19th century, South Valley, including Onoville, was experiencing its peak population. In 1890, over 1,000 residents lived in the town, with Onoville serving as one of its small population centers. The community was typical of rural hamlets of the era, with homes, small businesses, and a bridge spanning the Allegheny River that connected residents to neighboring communities.
The Onoville Bridge, a four-span structure crossing the Allegheny River, was a vital link for the community, facilitating commerce and social connections with surrounding areas. Historical photographs from 1939 show this bridge as a central feature of the town, highlighting its importance to local life.
Like many small rural communities, Onoville faced economic challenges in the early 20th century. The Panic of 1893, a serious economic depression in the United States, affected the region significantly. Additionally, the spin-off of nearby Elko (another community that would later be submerged) contributed to a population decline in South Valley, with the number of residents dropping by more than half from its 1890 peak.
The Kinzua Dam Project and Displacement
The fate of Onoville was sealed in the mid-20th century with the approval and construction of the Kinzua Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began planning for the dam in the 1930s as part of a broader flood control strategy for the Allegheny River basin. After years of planning and controversy, construction was authorized by the Flood Control Acts of 1936 and 1938, though actual building did not begin until the 1960s.
The primary purpose of the Kinzua Dam was to prevent flooding downstream, particularly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which had suffered devastating floods. Secondary benefits included drought control, improved water quality, and hydroelectric power generation. However, these benefits came at a significant cost to the communities in the dam’s flood zone.
In 1964, residents of Onoville and other affected communities were notified that they would need to evacuate their homes to make way for the reservoir that would form behind the dam. This forced relocation was traumatic for many residents, some of whose families had lived in the area for generations. The U.S. government purchased the properties, often at prices that residents felt were inadequate for starting over elsewhere.
The Onoville Bridge, which had served the community for decades, was torn down in January 1967 as part of the preparation for flooding the valley. By April 1967, the Allegheny Reservoir was completely filled, and the hamlet of Onoville disappeared beneath its waters.
The displacement caused by the Kinzua Dam project wasn’t limited to Onoville. Several other communities in both New York and Pennsylvania were affected, including parts of the Seneca Nation’s reservation lands. The flooding of these lands represented a violation of the Pickering Treaty of 1794, in which the United States had guaranteed the Seneca Nation that their lands would not be taken. The controversial decision to proceed with the dam despite this treaty obligation remains a point of contention and a symbol of the historical mistreatment of Native American nations.
Legacy and Current Status
Today, the original site of Onoville lies beneath the waters of the Allegheny Reservoir, also known as Kinzua Lake. The reservoir spans approximately 12,000 acres and extends 27 miles up the Allegheny River valley. While the original community is gone, the name Onoville lives on in the Onoville Marina, a recreational facility established on the shore of the reservoir near where the hamlet once stood.
The Onoville Marina Park, operated by Cattaraugus County, has become a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities. It features boat launches, camping facilities, and picnic areas, serving as a hub for visitors to the Allegheny Reservoir. The marina opened for its 2023 season on May 19, continuing to provide access to the reservoir for recreational purposes.
Despite the recreational opportunities the reservoir provides, the loss of Onoville and other communities remains a somber aspect of the region’s history. For former residents and their descendants, the submerged town represents not just lost homes but a lost way of life and community connections that can never be fully replaced.
The story of Onoville is preserved primarily through historical photographs, documents, and the memories of those who lived there or heard stories from relatives. Social media groups dedicated to local history occasionally share images of the original town, such as views from 1939 showing the Onoville Bridge and surrounding community before its inundation.
Visiting the Area Today
While the original Onoville is inaccessible, visitors to the area can experience the natural beauty that surrounds the former community by visiting the Onoville Marina Park. Located in Frewsburg, New York, north of the Allegheny National Forest and west of Allegany State Park, the marina provides access to the Allegheny Reservoir for boating and fishing.
During periods of drought or low water levels, it’s occasionally possible to see remnants of the submerged communities, including foundations and other structures that weren’t removed before the flooding. These rare glimpses into the past serve as poignant reminders of the communities that once thrived in the valley.
The broader region offers additional historical and recreational opportunities. Nearby Allegany State Park, New York’s largest state park, provides camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The Seneca-Iroquois National Museum in Salamanca offers insights into the rich cultural heritage of the Seneca Nation, including exhibits on the impact of the Kinzua Dam on their communities.
Reflections on Progress and Loss
The story of Onoville raises important questions about the balance between infrastructure development and community preservation. The Kinzua Dam has undoubtedly prevented significant flooding downstream and provided other benefits, but these came at the cost of displacing communities and violating treaty obligations to the Seneca Nation.
Onoville is one of many American communities sacrificed for dams, reservoirs, and other infrastructure projects during the 20th century. These ghost towns beneath the water represent a particular type of loss—communities not abandoned gradually due to economic factors but deliberately flooded for what was deemed the greater good.
As we consider such projects today, the experience of Onoville and similar communities serves as a reminder of the human costs that should be weighed alongside the potential benefits. The submerged ghost town of Onoville, though hidden from view, continues to be part of the complex tapestry of American history, a testament to both the power of human engineering and the profound impact of displacement on communities and cultures.
Sources:
1. ‘History.’ Town of South Valley. https://southvalleyny.com/?page_id=315
2. ’19 Deserted and Forgotten Towns in New York.’ NewsBreak. https://www.newsbreak.com/a-z-animals-1693032/3116817874462-19-deserted-and-forgotten-towns-in-new-york
3. ‘Ghost towns in cattaraugus county N.Y.’ TreasureNet.com. https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/ghost-towns-in-cattaraugus-county-n-y-heard-theres-like-300-of-them.37845/
4. ‘A very close view of the old original town of Onoville, from 1939.’ Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1617859498292406/posts/9335177603227185/
5. ‘The Tragedy Of The Kinzua Dam.’ WGRZ. https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/outdoors/the-tragedy-of-the-kinzua-dam/71-445448395
6. ‘Onoville Marina Park Opens for 2023.’ Ellicottville Now. https://www.ellicottvillenow.com/articles/m4ghm9arjt2gam9-8g6py-lm3yt-n3edl-ctadl-e82hh-9kwbr
