Railroads and refineries shaped Wellsville’s development
Wellsville, an Allegany County village, offers a tight-knit community with regular events and a Main Street filled with locally owned businesses. The village was originally settled in the 1800s, economically supported by its early lumber and leather tanning industries. The former Wellsville-Addison & Galeton Railroad had a right-of-way running right through the area, making it a small export hub. The area was then supported by the Sinclair Refinery, which was one of the region’s largest oil refineries until it closed in the 1950s. Nowadays, residents enjoy small-town living with convenient highway access. “It’s a small town; people are really drawn to it for the rural area and the smaller school system,” says Amy Werner, a Realtor with LandQuest, who’s been selling homes around the area for over 7 years.
Wellsville events from the Spring through Fall
Locals flock to the Genesee River for the Greater Wellsville Annual Trout Derby in April, an event that’s been taking place for over 35 years. From June to September, the Farners and Artisans Market is held every Saturday with dozens of local vendors. Bands also play from June to September at Music on the Lawn, a concert series on the Wellsville Library Lawn. The summer solstice is celebrated with Woo Woo Weekend, a three-day event featuring a mystical market and activities like flash tattoos and tarot readings. The Willing Fall Harvest Festival also takes place in September with family activities like wagon rides, carnival games and live entertainment. “They bring in a lot of the local food vendors for these community events,” says Werner.
Main Street and Riverwalk Plaza offer everyday convenience
Locally-owned shops and restaurants line the village’s Main Street. There’s everything from furnishing businesses like Brand Name Appliance, to hobby shops like Music Alley and Gamers Portal. The Texas Hot is a historic diner that’s been serving American favorites since 1921. Additional dining options include L'Italia with Italian dishes and Dragon House for Chinese food. There’s also a Giant Food Mart on Main Street for essentials. Riverwalk Plaza is also nearby on Route 417 with Tops Friendly Market and Tractor Supply Co, as well as fast food chains.
Nationals starting in the $80,000s
Homebuyers can find Nationals from as early as the 1800s, as well as more modern Cape Cods and ranch-style houses. Though properties are arranged close together, homes farther from Main Street offer open backyards with more space. Every house has a driveway, and some also come with detached garages. While some properties that need renovations can sell for under $75,000, most homes typically go for $80,000 to $285,000.
Served by the Wellsville Central School District
Students may start at Wellsville Elementary, which earns a C-plus from Niche. Wellsville Secondary gets a C and teaches sixth to twelfth grade.
Historic roller rink and golf course add charm to outdoor life
Island Park’s playground and baseball field sit next to the Genesee River. Several more baseball diamonds can be found throughout the village, including Tuller Field on Main Street and the Quackenbush Fields south of the river. The public Wellsville Country Club offers an 18-hole golf course dating back to 1911, as well as an on-site restaurant and bar. The Funland Skate Center, which was built back in 1938, is one of the oldest continuously operating roller rinks in the country. The 9-mile hike on the Wellsville, Addison and Galeton Trail follows former railroad tracks across the Pennsylvania border. People can also fish the Genesee River from the trail and use snowmobiles on the path in the winter. “There’s also a lot of ATV trails within a ten-mile radius of this place,” adds Werner.
Route 19 connects the village to I-86
State Route 417 runs east to west, and State Route 19 runs north to south, connecting locals to the rest of the county. Commuters can take Route 19 north 12 miles for Interstate 86 access. Jones Memorial Hospital is right in the village on Main Street. The closest airport, Elmira Corning Regional, is 65 miles away.
![Logan Soter-Reardon]()
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
