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Alfred • Allentown • Alma • Andover • Angelica • Belfast • Belmont • Bolivar • Caneadea • Ceres • Cuba • FilLmore • Friendship • Genesee Houghton • little genesee • portville • richburg • Rushford • Scio • shinglehouse • Ulysses • Wellsville • west clarksville • Whitesville
Bolivar celebrates its bicentennial June 22-29 during Pioneer Oil Days BY KATHRYN ROSS
File photo The Pioneer Oil Museum on Main Street in Bolivar.
BOLIVAR — There are 13 communities named Bolivar in thew United States, but this year marks the 200th anniversary of Bolivar, New York. A dedicated committee headed by Kelly Lounsberry has been active for over a year planning a bicentennial celebration to take place this summer. Some events have already taken place, but the main celebration will be during the annual Pioneer Oil Days, June 22-29. The town of Bolivar was formed from the town of Friendship
on Feb. 15, 1825. The first meeting to officially name the town and nominate officials took place in Hollis B. Norton’s store on March 21, 1825. Asa Cowles was chosen as supervisor and Austin Cowles was tabbed as the town clerk. The Cowles were among the first permanent white settlers in the Bolivar Valley. Timothy Cowles and his two sons arrived in the area from Vermont in 1819. According to the history of Bolivar compiled by the Bicentennial Committee, available on its website, “By 1825, enough citizens lived near the confluence of Root Holler and Little
Genesee creeks that they decided to form a town. They chose ‘Bolivar’ to honor the then living Liberator of South America, General Simon Bolivar.” “We were the first town to be named after Simon Bolivar,” said Ethyl Burdick, one of the first curators of the Bolivar Oil Museum. Talking about the articles in the Museum’s Simon Bolivar Room, she continued, “The big statue of him is from the Venezuelan Exhibit from the New York World’s Fair in (1939/1964). The mayor’s brothers asked the exhibitors if we could have it.” The museum also
boasts a smaller metal bust of the Liberator, a gift from the Venezuelan delegation that visited Bolivar in 1984. Other items in the Simon Bolivar Room include a drawing of Bolivar’s home, a portrait based on Venezuelan school children’s conception of the man, selection of artwork given to Bolivar by citizens of Venezuela, a Panamanian mole, a Peruvian llama, a piece of an Incan temple and arts and crafts and literature from South America. Historically, from 1825 to 1881, the popuBolivar Bicentennial continued on PAGE 6
Belfast comprehensive plan earns award from WNY association The Town of Belfast Comprehensive Plan (2024) has been awarded the 2025 Outstanding Planning Award-Director’s Choice by the Western New York Section of the New York Upstate Chapter of the American Planning Association. The award recognizes a planning initiative that reflects the highest standards of professional excellence while embracing the core values of innovation, collaboration, and community-driven vision. The Belfast plan stood out for its ability to unite local voices, address critical needs, and develop a forward-thinking strategy — despite limited resources.
The plan was developed through a partnership between the town and the Allegany County Office of Planning, with an emphasis on community participation. The plan reflects a year-long effort to gather input from residents, local leaders, and community organizations. Through public workshops, surveys, and local interviews, the final plan offers a clear vision for economic development, land use, infrastructure, and quality of life in Belfast. In announcing the award, the selection committee noted: “Your plan’s collaborative vision, steadfast community engagement,
and innovative approach despite limited resources demonstrate what is possible when community members unite to create a better future for themselves and generations to come. This work truly represents the very best our industry has to offer.” The Belfast Comprehensive Plan was recognized for its resilience and creativity in the face of challenges, and for serving as a model of what can be achieved in small, rural communities through inclusive, grassroots-driven planning. The award was accepted on behalf of the Belfast Comprehensive Plan continued on PAGE 6
Photo provided Stacy Beardsley (left), deputy director, and Kier Dirlam, director of Allegany County Planning, accepted a Western New York award for the town of Belfast Comprehensive Plan.
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