Olean is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York. The name is derived from the Latin word "oleum" due to the discovery of crude oil in nearby Ischua.
The Town of Olean is in the southeast corner of the county. The City of Olean, originally the Village of Olean, is adjacent to the town.
Olean was first settled around 1805. The Town of Olean was established in 1808 as the only town in the county. The "Town of Ischua," (now Franklinville) was established in 1812, part of Perrysburg was removed in 1814, Great Valley was formed in 1818, Hinsdale in 1820, and Portville, in 1837.
The Village of Olean, was originally named "Hamilton," after Alexander Hamilton, but was called Olean Point until simplified to Olean in 1823.
The name "Olean" was suggested for the area due to the oil found in the vicinity. The famed Seneca Oil Spring, discovered by the Franciscan Missionary Joseph De La Roche D'Allion in 1627 was located about 14 miles upstream of Olean Point. The original town hall burned in 1884, prompting a law that forbade wooden structures in parts of the town.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.7 square miles, of which, 29.6 square miles of it is land and 0.1 square miles of it (0.27%) is water
The City of Olean is a city within the Town of Olean in Cattaraugus County, New York. Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County, and serves as the financial, business and transportation center of the county. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York.
The city is surrounded by the Town of Olean and is located in the southeastern part of the county.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles, of which, 5.9 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of it (3.73%) is water.
The city is located where Olean Creek flows into the Allegheny River and by the Southern Tier Expressway (Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17). New York State Route 417 passes east-west through the city and intersects New York State Route 16, a north-south highway.
Interesting facts:
The 21st annual Community-Wide Garage Sale on Saturday, May 6th and May 13th from 9 AM until 4 PM. Maps and a complete listing of locations and items of the garages sales will be available FREE at the Chamber office, 301 North Union Street. The event has no rain date. Households sales will go forward rain or shine.
WHAT IS MAGNIFICENT MAY MAYHEM: Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce events committee unveiled this new event back in September 2021 called Magnificent May Mayhem or M3. A mayhem is described / defined as a chaos, pandemonium and bedlam. “Although most of the definitions are not a good thing, we use mayhem as a term to describe the many activities and programs pulled together for this one event,” stated Meme K. Yanetsko, GOACC COO.
Tasty Irish Lunch & Dinner Specials Daily! Open mic nights, and live entertainment.
Whether traveling to Southwestern New York on business or pleasure, the newer BEST WESTERN Plus University Inn is the place to stay! This Olean area hotel features well-appointed guest rooms and suites, each fully-equipped with cable satellite television with HBO® and high-speed Internet access.
Local Favorite!
Authentic Japanese cuisine: sushi, sashimi, rolls. Enjoy fresh steak and seafood skillfully prepared by a hibachi chef. Entertaining, memorable, and delicious!
Gotta try: Geisha Roll (raw) and Hibachi
Monday - Thursday11:00 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
