Jamestown, New York

Jamestown is a city in Chautauqua County, New York in the United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2000 census.

The City of Jamestown is adjacent to Town of Ellicott and is at the southern tip of Chautauqua Lake. The town of Chautauqua, home of the Chautauqua Institution, is 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Jamestown.

The city has been a center for the manufacture of wood products such as furniture as well as a major producer of mattresses. The town was once called the "Furniture Capital of the World." Although many of these industries have migrated away from the area in recent times, Jamestown still retains a few large manufacturing plants for various multinational corporations. The city has a large concentration of citizens of Swedish and Italian ancestry.

Jamestown is noted as the birthplace of actress and comedienne Lucille Ball, as well as the fictitious childhood hometown of Lucy Ricardo, her character on the popular U.S. television sitcom I Love Lucy (CBS, 1951–1960).

History
Jamestown, New York, is named after James Prendergast, an early Chautauqua County settler. His family had purchased 3500 acre in 1806, in the area now known as Chautauqua County. James Prendergast explored the area that is now Jamestown. Prendergast saw the area to be valuable, and so he purchased 1000 acre of land in the area in 1808. In the fall of 1809, Prendergast and an employee, John Blowers built a log cabin 1810, which became the first building in Jamestown. Another log cabin as well as mills and a dam were built later on.

In 1855, Nightwatch was created for the purpose of looking out for fires.

Jamestown was incorporated into a village in 1827 and incorporated into a city on April 19, 1886. Oscar F. Price was elected as the first mayor of the city on April 13, 1886. James Murray was appointed to be the first Chief of Police and would lead a force of six police officers.

In 1887, Jamestown Electric Light and Power Company, Art Metal, and WCA Hospital were established. In 1888, Jamestown Woolen Spinning Co. established; cornerstone of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church laid. In 1889, the American Aristotype Co. was established. The first electric trolley car in Jamestown made its appearance in 1890. In 1891, a fire destroyed the Old Homestead Hotel at Third and Pine Streets and four people died. James Prendergast Library and the Municipal Light Plant were established the same year.

In 1892, Chautauqua Worsted mills was formed. In 1893, Jamestown Veneer Works was started by Nathan Wilson and Jamestown's first ice cream company started making Collins Ice Cream. In 1895, the cornerstone of City Hall was laid and the City Council decided to lay no more wooden sidewalks. Eleazer Green is elected mayor the same year. In 1896, Empire Worsted Mills was formed. In 1898, Chautauqua Towel Mills was opened. In 1899, Henry H. Cooper was elected mayor. In 1900, Tinkham Brothers established their business, the Furniture Index was published, and the Hall Textile Corporation was formed. In 1903, Jamestown purchased a water system and the J. P. Danielson Tool Co. was organized. In 1906, James L. Weeks was elected mayor. In 1907, the Crescent Tool Company was started by Karl Peterson and Charles F. Falldine. In 1908, Samuel A. Carlson was elected mayor. Music Study Club and Jamestown Symphony Orchestra began the same year.

In 1910, the excavation began for construction of Jamestown General Hospital, which still stands in the present day. In 1911, the Norden Club was started. On August 6, actress Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown. The first plane to ever fly over Jamestown occurred on September 28, 1911. The Norden Clubhouse was completed in 1914. On April 8, 1917, Company E left for guard duty. The Emerson Glass Company started the same year. In 1918, Jamestown Corp. formed to make airplane propellers. A steam ship, the City of Pittsburgh sank at Boatlanding, also in 1918. On July 7, 1918, the death of Ira Lou Spring marked the first Jamestown man to die in France during World War I. In 1921, the Zonta Club was organized. In 1925, the Hotel Samuels was sold. In that same year, the Scottish Rite Temple was formally opened and taxpayers voted a $350,000 bond issue for the Third Street Bridge. The following year, Third Street Bridge was completed and it still stands today. In 1927, Jamestown celebrated the centennial of its incorporation as a village. Lars Larson was elected mayor the same year. Ine 1930, Samuel A. Carlson served as mayor once again. In 1931, a fire destroyed the old Martyn Factory. Also, the city purchases Niagara, Lockport and Ontario Power Company.

In 1932, the ground was broken for the new armory, the Erie Railroad station was dedicated, and the Community Chest was permanently formed. In 1933, Elk Furniture Company was sold. Also, Milton Carlson and Frederick Larson took over Jamestown Airport. The board of education assumed title to school forest. Also in 1933, city councilman Leon F. Roberts was elected mayor. In 1934, Jamestown Airport Corp. offered an airport to the city and the city secured the old armory as a relief center. As part of the New Deal program, the ground was broken for a new high school, which provided jobs during the Great Depression. In 1935, the Board of Education opened the new industrial arts building and City Council approved $314,000 airport for North Main Street site. In November, Jamestown High School was formally dedicated. In 1937, the Temple Hesed Abraham was dedicated and the Alfred Collegiate Extension Center opened with 80 students. In 1938, Harry C. Erickson became mayor and Jamestown General Hospital's maternity annex opened. In 1939, twelve local plans surveyed by the government to produce supplies in wartime. Also, the city's new airport formally dedicated.

In 1940, the PONY league baseball began and Co. E was inducted into federal service. In 1941, Jamestown Municipal Stadium was dedicated and Samuel A. Stroth was elected mayor. In 1942, East Second Street widening was ordered and flames destroyed the old state armory. In 1945, Jamestown was hit by a tornado. In 1946, Dr. Carlyle C. Ring was named superintendent of schools. C.C. Ring Elementary School presently stands, in his honor. In 1950, Jamestown Community College was opened.

In 1951, Stanley A. Weeks was elected mayor and the addition to the municipal power plant was opened. In 1954, Samuel A. Stroth was elected mayor and Allegheny Airlines began east-west flight via Jamestown. In 1955, Carl F. Sanford was elected mayor. In 1956, Lucy and Desi Arnaz visited Jamestown. In 1957, a $400,000 runway improvement to Jamestown Municipal Airport was added. In 1958, a new sewage disposal plant was opened, Buffalo Street pumping station was modernized, and a new wing opened at Jamestown General Hospital. In 1959, Jamestown's new post office was started. In 1960, Jamestown celebrated the sesquicentennial of first house erected here. That same year, Mohawk Airlines started to serve Jamestown.

In 1961, Jamestown Community College moved into new Falconer Street campus and William D. Whitehead was elected mayor. In 1963, the City's first parking ramp opened at Main and Second Streets and Frederick H. Dunn elected mayor. Additionally, Grandin Mills on Allen Street was destroyed by fire and singer Natalie Merchant was born in Jamestown. In 1964, the Washington Street Bridge was completed, which stil stands to this day. In 1967, an addition to Jamestown High School was completed. Also, Jamestown Community College opened a new Science and Engineering Building. In that same year, Charles B. Magnuson was elected mayor. In 1968, an addition to the James Prendergast Free Library was completed. In 1969, the Cherry Street parking ramp was opened, Rail service to Jamestown discontinued by Erie-Lackawanna Railway, Stanley N. Lundine was elected mayor, and the New Gustavus Adolphus Children's Home opened. In 1970, the Final approval was granted for the Brooklyn Square Urban Renewal Project. Throughout the 1970s, homes in Brooklyn Square were relocated as well as many stores and shops. In 1981, Burt Reynolds visited Jamestown while filming in Buffalo. A second Urban Renewal Project was proposed in 2006, and the project began in 2007.

Jamestown has hosted thirteen Babe Ruth World Series since 1980, and hosted the 13-Year-Old Babe Ruth World Series in 2008. The James Prendergast Library has regularly ranked in the top ten in the nation among those that service populations of 25,000-49,999, according to HAPLR, with a peak ranking of fourth in 2004.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 31,730 people, 13,558 households, and 7,904 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,364.3/km² (3,534.6/sq mi). There were 15,027 housing units at an average density of 646.1/km² (1,673.9/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 91.52% White, 3.39% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.8% from other races, and 2.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.94% of the population. 19.7% were of Italian, 18.1% Swedish, 12.8% German, 9.0% Irish, 8.7% English and 5.5% American ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 13,558 households out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 35.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 28.1% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,837, and the median income for a family was $33,675. Males had a median income of $30,003 versus $20,039 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,316. About 15.8% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.1% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government
The government of the City of Jamestown is a mayor-council form of government.

Executive branch
The executive branch consists of the mayor, (who is elected for 4-year terms without term limits), and the heads of the departments, most of them appointed by the mayor.

This section lists the mayors of Jamestown, New York.

Legislative branch
The legislative body of Jamestown consists of nine council members, who are elected every two years without any term limits. Six council members represent each of the city's 6 wards, and 3 additional council members are known as councilmembers-at-large, representing the entire city. The table below outlines the current members of the Jamestown City Council.

Museums
The Fenton History Center is named after former resident Reuben Fenton, the twenty-fifth governor of New York. The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center is dedicated to the city's best-known daughter, Lucille Ball. The Robert H. Jackson Center exists to preserve the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History continues the legacy of Roger Tory Peterson by promoting the teaching and study of nature, and to thereby create knowledge of and appreciation and responsibility for the natural world.

Sports
This is the home city for the Jamestown Jammers baseball team of the New York - Penn League. The Jammers are the Single A Short Season affiliate of the Florida Marlins.

Jamestown was also home to the now-defunct Jamestown Vikings of the short-lived Mid-Atlantic Hockey League between 2007 and 2008. Currently, the city houses the headquarters of the Northern Junior Hockey League, which includes a local team, the Jamestown Jets. The Jets, like several other NJHL members, split off from the United Junior Hockey League during the 2009 offseason.

Jamestown High School's boys and girls basketball teams have both won numerous Sectional and Division titles. The High School Football team has been to four New York State Championships, losing in 1993, and winning in 1994, 1995, and 2000

Jamestown hosted its 14th Babe Ruth World Series in August 2008.

Major employers
The Jamestown area has a few large manufacturing plants that are major employers in this region. These include Bush Industries (makers of ready-to-assemble furniture), "Crawford Furniture" (makers of solid wood furniture) Cummins Inc. (manufacturer of diesel engines; the heavy duty engine plant is located in the Town of Busti, just west of Jamestown, but still called the Jamestown Engine Plant or JEP), SKF AeroEngine (formerly MRC Bearings), TitanX and Truck-Lite (makers of truck lighting systems) "Blackstone" (makers of sheet metal). Chain stores have opened in recent years in the surrounding area, including Walmart, KMart, Wegmans, Sam's Club, CVS, and Rite Aid. The Jamestown area used to have a chain of Grocery stores, "Quality Markets", recently bankrupt, have now been bought out by TOPS Friendly Markets. "The Connection" an outsource phone call center has become a major employer on the corner of Second and Washington Streets in Jamestown housed in the Furniture Mart building, and headquarterd out of MN. http://www.the-connection.com/about_locations.html Jamestown is the home of hot dog franchise "Johnny's Lunch", founded in 1936, now expanding into many other states. http://www.johnnyslunch.com/index.php?act=pressrelease  However, many of the places of employment are packing up and leaving at a growing rate. The unemployment rate shows this area to be one of the most economically depressed areas of NY State. Population decrease and job decrease have gone hand in hand in this area. Senior Citizens have claimed previous retail buildings in downtown area that have been revamped for senior housing. WCA Hospital (Women's Christian Association) was founded May 23, 1885, and included a nursing school until Jamestown Community College filled the need with a 2 year RN nursing program. Though Jamestown General Hospital, still stands in the present day on Jones Hill, it is no longer public, and is now part of WCA, housing mental health units as well as laboratories. The main campus of Wca is on the corner of Allen St and Foote Avenue. At present, the greater Jamestown are remains at the center of an impressive agricultural region. Among the area's leading producers are Welch's, Mogen David, Kraft Foods and Red Wing. Of all the counties in New York State, Chautauqua County has more farms than any other (about 2,200). Although its primary agricultural product is milk, Chautauqua County is also the State's greatest producer of wine and jelly grapes. The area's production of Concord grapes is one of the largest in the nation, second only to California.

Education
Jamestown has one campus of Jamestown Community College which provides a two-year education. Jamestown Business College now provides a four-year degree in many majors.

Jamestown also houses a high school, Jamestown High School; three middle schools, Persell Middle School, George Washington Middle School, and Thomas Jefferson Middle School; as well as six elementary schools, C.C. Ring School, CV Bush School, Fletcher School, Abraham Lincoln School, Love School, and Rogers School.

The Red Raider Marching Band from Jamestown High School is one of the most traveled high school marching bands in the country, having been as far as Hawaii, and appearing on such shows as The Late Show with David Letterman. The Marching Band won the NY State Field Band Conference Championship in 1991, and has consistently placed in the top 10 at Bands of America competitions. They also played at the pregame show at the 2004 FedEx Orange Bowl. In December 2007 they traveled to Florida again, to play at the Citrus Bowl. They will be traveling to New York City for the St. Patricks Day Parade this March. The other premiere music ensemble at JHS is the A Cappella Choir. An auditioned ensemble featuring students from grades 10-12, the A Cappella choir has had only 4 directors in their 85 year history, starting with Ebba H. Goranson in 1924, continuing with Donald B. Bube and Brian A. Bogey, all the way to the choir's current director Benjamin P. Bracey. The A Cappella has traveled and sung internationally at: Saint Michael's Cathedral in Toronto, Canada; Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria; the Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria that W.A. Mozart served as parish musician; Saint Paul's, Westminster, and Salisbury Cathedrals in England; and the Saint Anne de Beaupre and Notre Dame Basilica in Quebec City, Canada. In the United States the choir has traveled to Washington, D.C.; Boston Massachusetts; New York City; Walt Disney World, Florida, and Chicago, Illinois.

Air
The Chautauqua County-Jamestown Airport (JHW) is north of the city and provides scheduled and charter air service.

Bus
Bus service is provided by Coach USA of Erie. Connections are available. to the Greyhound service in Buffalo. There is also a county wide bus service (CARTS) and taxi service through various companies.

Long distance railroads
Present day Jamestown is on the mainline of the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad which provides freight service. Amtrak provides a daily Thruway Motorcoach service between its Buffalo-Exchange Street Station and Jamestown.

Until the 1970s, four railroad companies travelled through Jamestown:
 * Erie Railroad - main line passing through Jamestown (New York to Chicago)
 * Pennsylvania Railroad - Chatauqua Branch (Oil City to Brocton-Buffalo) at Mayfield
 * Nickle Plate Railroad - Buffalo-St. Louis
 * New York Central Railroad - (New York–Chicago) at Westfield

In 1976, these railroads (minus the Nickle Plate Railroad) were absorbed into Conrail, and then ultimately, by Norfolk Southern Railway and CSX Transportation in 1998.

The Erie Railroad's former Jamestown Station still exists, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

Electric interurban - the Jamestown, Westfield and Northwestern
An electric interurban railroad—Jamestown, Westfield and Northwestern Railroad (JW&NW)—connected all three above towns (Jamestown-Mayfield-Westfield) and ran along the north side of Lake Chatauqua. The JW&NW ended passenger operation in 1947, continued with freight, then quit entirely in 1950. Its rails and right-of-way have slowly disappeared.

Proposed power plant
Jamestown is the site of a proposed coal-burning power plant, for which Praxair, Inc. is seeking a subsidy from the United States Department of Energy. The plant, which would have an estimated cost of over $500 million, has been criticized by environmentalists and area residents. A study by an environmental consulting firm concluded that the cost of electricity from the proposed plant would be substantially higher than that of existing power sources, and higher than the cost of energy efficiency and wind alternatives. Proponents of the new power plant, including local radio talk show host John Siggins, believe that building the plant will keep Jamestown's history of cheap electricity going. But the majority of Jamestown's residence think otherwise.

Notable natives and residents

 * 10,000 Maniacs, rock band
 * Brad Anderson, cartoonist
 * Rachel L. Hutchison, locally-famous comedian and member of the National Association of Home Inspectors.
 * Mitchell Anderson, actor from Doogie Howser, M.D.
 * Lucille Ball, actress and comedienne whose birthplace was Jamestown, and whose childhood home is in nearby Celoron.
 * Lorin Blodget, climatologist and financial writer
 * Nick Carter, singer from Backstreet Boys, was originally from Jamestown, though he grew up elsewhere
 * William Feather, publisher and author
 * Reuben Fenton, lumber merchant and governor of New York
 * Charles Goodell, congressman and senator
 * Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner, born and raised in Jamestown
 * Junior Guilders, singing group connected with the local Lucille Ball Little Theatre
 * Alva L. Hager, congressman
 * Hayward A. Harvey, inventor and industrialist
 * John B. Hayes, commandant of the U. S. Coast Guard
 * Robert H. Jackson, U.S. attorney general, Supreme Court associate justice, attended Jamestown High School
 * Laura Kightlinger, comedienne, writer and actress
 * Natalie Merchant, musician
 * William Parment, politician
 * Julie Anne Peters, children's author
 * Roger Tory Peterson, naturalist, artist, educator, photographer and inventor of the Peterson Field Guides of birdwatching
 * Irv Noren, Former American professional Baseball and Basketball player
 * Jackson Rohm, country/pop musician
 * Lydia Schuler, actress/model, born in Jamestown
 * Ira Spring, photographer, author and hiking advocate
 * Jud Strunk, singer/songwriter and comedian
 * Davis Hanson Waite, governor of Colorado
 * A. E. P. (Ed) Wall, journalist/author, born in Jamestown 1925
 * Walter Washington, first African American mayor of Washington, D.C., and its first elected mayor, grew up in Jamestown
 * Wesley De La Nuez, Fashion Stylist/Makeup Artist, attended Jamestown Community College.
 * Jarett McCarthy, U.S.A.F. 1992-Present -- Born and raised in Jamestown, NY.