This was historically the territory of the Native AmericanWenrohronon and Eriehronon, who were driven out by the Seneca Nation in the Beaver Wars of the 1650s. The Seneca controlled much of the territory of western New York as one of the nations of the powerful Iroquois Confederacy. The area was not settled by European Americans until after the American Revolution around 1815, when the Seneca had been forced to cede their lands to the United States and New York as allies of the defeated British. Many of the early arrivals were whites who settled on Native American land with the informal permission and toleration of tribal members. The area was a sparsely populated, rural, farming and lumber industry region until four railroads were constructed into the area. They leased a portion of land, then mostly swamp, from the Seneca Nation to make their hub at what was developed as Salamanca. The town of Salamanca was formed in 1854 from part of the town of Little Valley. At that time it was called the "town of Bucktooth", named after a notable Seneca who lived in the area. At least two roads leading to the town still bear the name "Bucktooth Run". In 1869, the town of Red House was created, taking away the south part of the town of Salamanca. In 1870 the community of Salamanca began to define itself, first as a village, and later as a city.
The town of Salamanca is divided into two parts by the Allegany Reservation, which is a sovereign part of the Seneca Nation. This division parallels the Allegheny River. The city of Salamanca is also located in the split between the two portions of the town. North of the town is Little Valley, and south is the town of Red House. On its west side, Salamanca forms a border with the towns of Coldspring and Napoli. To the east is the town of Great Valley.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 544 people, 210 households, and 160 families residing in the town. The population density was 29.8 people per square mile. There were 238 housing units at an average density of 13.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.06% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 1.29% Native American, and 1.29% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.55% of the population. There were 210 households out of which 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.8% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96. In the town, the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.5 males. The median income for a household in the town was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $43,889. Males had a median income of $32,344 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,214. About 2.5% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in the town of Salamanca
Allegany Reservation - The Seneca reservation runs through the center of the town.
Allegheny River - The river runs through the center of the town and the Seneca reservation.
Allegany State Park - A small part of the park is in the south part of the town.
Bucktooth Run - A small stream that enters the Allegheny River west of Salamanca City. A sizable farming community lies along the stream as well as the road that runs along it, informally nicknamed "Bucktooth."
Jimerson Town - A hamlet southwest of the city of Salamanca. It is the alternate capital and site of the Allegany Reservation's governmental headquarters.
Little Valley Creek - A stream flowing into the Allegheny River in Salamanca City.
Newton Run - A stream flowing into the Allegheny River east of Bucktooth Run.
Salamanca - Most of the city of Salamanca is inside the town lines.
Sawmill Run - A stream in the northwest corner of the town.
Shongo - A hamlet inside the Seneca reservation in the southwest part of the town, south of Jimerson Town.
Titus Run - A stream flowing into the Allegheny River from the south.
