Batavia, New York

Batavia, New York
Batavia is a city in and the county seat of Genesee County, New York, United States. It is near the center of the county, surrounded by the Town of Batavia, which is a separate municipality. Batavia's population as of the 2020 census was 15,600. The name Batavia is Latin for the Betuwe region of the Netherlands, and honors early Dutch land developers. In 2006, a national magazine, Site Selection, ranked Batavia third among the nation's micropolitans based on economic development. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) passes north of the city. Genesee County Airport (GVQ) is also north of the city.
The city hosts the Batavia Muckdogs baseball team of the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, at Dwyer Stadium (299 Bank Street). The Muckdogs formerly were an affiliate of the Miami Marlins. They won the 2008 New York Penn League Championship.
The city's UN/LOCODE is USBIA.
History
Holland Land Company
The current City of Batavia was an early settlement in what is today called Genesee Country, the farthest western region of New York State, comprising the Genesee Valley and westward to the Niagara River, Lake Erie, and the Pennsylvania line. The tract purchased in western New York (the Holland Purchase) was a 3,250,000 acre (13,150 km) portion of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase that lay west of the Genesee River. It was purchased in December 1792, February 1793, and July 1793 from Robert Morris, a prominent Revolutionary banker, by the Holland Land Company, a consortium of Dutch bankers.
The village of Batavia was founded in 1802 by resident Land Agent Joseph Ellicott, under the authorization of Paul Busti of the Holland Land Company.<ref name = History>History of Batavia, New York "Village of Batavia" in Our County and Its People: A Descriptive and Biographical Record of Genesee County, New York (1899)</ref> Batavia, New York, was named by Paul Busti in honor of the Batavian Republic (1795–1806), a republican government of the Netherlands and home of the investors of the Holland Land Company.
One of the provisions of the sale was that Morris needed to settle the Indian title to the land, so he arranged for his son Thomas Morris to negotiate with the Iroquois at Geneseo, New York, in 1797. About 3,000 Iroquois, mostly Senecas, arrived for the negotiation. Seneca chief and orator Red Jacket was adamantly against the sale, but his influence was thwarted by freely distributed liquor and trinkets given to the women. He acquiesced and signed the Treaty of Big Tree, in which the tribe sold their rights to the land except for a small portion for $100,000. Mary Jemison, known as The White Woman of the Genesee, who was captured in a raid and married her Seneca captor, was an able negotiator for the tribe and helped win more favorable terms. In the negotiations Horatio Jones was the translator and William Wadsworth provided his unfinished home. The land was then surveyed under the supervision of Joseph Ellicott, a monumental task and the biggest land survey ever attempted to that time.
Ellicott, as agent for the company, established a land office in Batavia in 1802. The entire purchase was named Genesee County in 1802, with Batavia as the county seat. The company sold off the purchase until 1846, when the company was dissolved. The phrase "doing a land office business," which denotes prosperity, dates from this era. The office is a museum today, designated a National Historic Landmark. Ellicott lived in Batavia for many years although he thought Buffalo would grow to be larger. Batavia has a major street named after him (Ellicott Street), as well as a minor street (Ellicott Avenue), and a large monument in the heart of the city. Batavia was incorporated as a village in 1823.
The present counties of western New York were all laid out from the original Genesee County, and the modern Genesee County is but one of many. But the entire area as a region is still referred to as Genesee Country. Thus, Batavia was the core from which the rest of western New York was opened for settlement and development.
Masonic Lodge scandal
A scandal erupted in Batavia in 1826, when William Morgan was offended by the local Masonic Lodge (Western Star Chapter R. A. M. No. 33 of Le Roy, New York), and threatened to expose the lodge's secrets. He was arrested on a minor charge, then released when his charge was paid, into the company of several men, with whom he went, apparently unwillingly. It was developed later that the men were Masons, and they carried him to Fort Niagara, where he was held captive and then disappeared. Although the Masons claimed he was only bribed to cease publication and leave the area forever, public sentiment was that he was murdered. No conviction was ever obtained. His captors were only charged and convicted with his abduction.
The event roused tremendous public furor and anti-Mason sentiment. Anti-Masonry was a factor in politics for many years afterward, leading to the creation of the Anti-Masonic Party, as well as religion. Many Methodist Episcopal clergy had joined the Masons, and this was one of the reasons the Free Methodist Church separated.
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal in 1825 bypassed Batavia, going well to the north at Albion and Medina, enabling Buffalo and Rochester to grow much faster. With the sale of the western part of the state completed, Batavia became a small industrial city in the heart of an agricultural area. It became known for the manufacture of tractors, agricultural implements, sprayers and shoes. It also was a tool and die making center for industries in other areas.
The largest manufacturer, Johnston Harvester Company came into being in 1868. In 1910, the business was acquired by Massey-Harris Co. Ltd, and became a subsidiary of that Canadian company, founded by Daniel Massey in 1847.
Batavia grew rapidly in the early 20th century, receiving an influx of Polish and Italian immigrants. The City of Batavia was incorporated in 1915.
Recent history
Batavia is part of what has become known as The Rust Belt. In recent years much of the heavier industry left for other areas of the US, or abroad, and according to U.S. Census data there has been a gradual but consistent decline in the city's population from 1960 forward.
The construction of the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility, a federal immigration detention center next to the airport has provided more jobs in the area, as well as expansion of the airport, including lengthening the runway to accommodate larger aircraft in 2005. Inmates at the detention center have included terrorism suspects, such as Nabil Ahmed Farag Soliman, who embarked on a hunger strike in 1999 after two and a half years in federal detention.
In August 2012, Muller Quaker Dairy broke ground on what was to be one of the largest yogurt manufacturing plants in the United States, and employed 170 people in December 2015. Muller Quaker Dairy is a joint venture between PepsiCo and the Theo Muller Group. On December 10, 2015, the closure of the yogurt plant was announced with the additional news that the facility would be sold to the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative.
Geography and climate
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 5.2 square miles (13.6 km), of which 5.2 square miles (13.4 km) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.2 km) (1.14%) is water. The city also sits directly along the 43rd parallel north.
New York State Route 5 (east-west) intersects state routes 33, 63 and 98 in the city. The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) is immediately north of Batavia.
Climate
This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen climate classification system, Batavia has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" or "Dfb" on climate maps.
Demographics
2010
As of the census of 2010, there were 15,465 people, 6,644 households, and 3,710 families residing in the city. The city's racial demographic changed slightly from 2000 to 2010.
2000
As of the census of 2000, there were 16,256 people, 6,457 households, and 3,867 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 6,924 housing units at an average density of . The city's racial makeup was 90.23% White, 5.43% Black or African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.06% from other races, and 1.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.
There were 6,457 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.5% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.1% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was at least 65 years old. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.01.
23.4% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 8.7% were from age 18 to 24, 29.0% were from age 25 to 44, 20.2% were from age 45 to 64, and 18.6% were age 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.
The city's median household income was $33,484, and the median family income was $42,460. Males had a median income of $32,091 versus $23,289 for females. The city's per capita income was $17,737. About 10.2% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Batavia City School District operates public schools, including Batavia High School.
Batavia is also where the New York State School for the Blind, a New York State-operated K-12 school, and the main campus of Genesee Community College is located.
Notable events
The first business incubator in the United States, the Batavia Industrial Center, was started in Batavia.
John Elway, quarterback of the Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, hit his first professional home run at Dwyer Stadium while playing minor league baseball.
In March 1926, over 1,000 people turned out to hear Helen Keller speak at what was then the high school.
On September 3, 1993, a tornado tore through Batavia, killing two people.
On the night of August 3, 1994, Amtrak's westbound Lake Shore Limited derailed near Batavia, and fourteen of the train's eighteen cars went off the tracks. There were no fatalities.
Governor George Pataki made Batavia the New York State "Capital for A Day" on Wednesday, July 25, 2001.
Batavia was used as a filming location for the 1987 comedy road film, Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
Notable people
Terry A. Anderson, journalist From 1985 to 1991, Anderson was held captive in Lebanon by Hezbollah partisans, and his sister, Peggy Say, became an ardent campaigner for his release.
Thom Beers, TV producer
David Bellavia, Iraq War veteran
Albert Brisbane (1809–1890), socialist writer and newspaper publisher
Charles H. Burke, former US Congressman from South Dakota
Daniel Burling, former New York State Assemblyman
Albert G. Burr, United States Representative
Paul Busti (Paolo Busti) principal agent of the Holland Land Company
William L. Carpenter, naturalist and geologist
Trumbull Cary, former New York State Senator
Ralph Chandler, former Rear Admiral of the United States Navy
Ralph Chapin, contributor to Rochester Zen Center
William Henry Comstock, businessman and politician
Barber Conable, political leader and World Bank president, was a former resident.
James Crossen Jr. (1826-1890), founder of James Crossen-Cobourg Car Works, Irish-born Canadian railway car and street car builder
Albert G. Dow, former New York State Senator
Benjamin Ellicott, former US Congressman
David Ellicott Evans, former US Congressman
Marc Ferrari, guitar player for the band Keel
John Fisher, former industrialist and US congressman from New York
Teal Fowler, ice hockey player
John Gardner, novelist, literary critic, and university professor
Augustus Hall, former US Congressman from Iowa, Chief Justice of Nebraska Territory
Robert Haney, Wisconsin politician and businessman
Stephen Hawley, New York State Assemblyman
Ronald E. Hermance Jr., former financial executive
David C. Johnson, composer
Bill Kauffman, political journalist and author
Kas Kastner, racing driver, racing engineer, sailor and author
George W. Lay, former US Congressman
Samuel D. Lockwood, former Illinois Attorney General, Secretary of State, Supreme Court Justice
Thomas C. Love, former US Congressman
Vincent Maney, former MLB player
Krista Marie, Member of the country band, The Farm
Paula Miller, former member of Virginia House of Delegates
William Morgan, his book on Freemasonry and his disappearance in 1826 sparked an anti-Masonic movement in America
Thomas David Morrison, Canadian doctor and exiled Mayor of Toronto 1838–1843
James C. Owens Jr., naval aviator
Dean Richmond, from 1864 to 1866, president of the New York Central
Julian Sidney Rumsey, former Mayor of Chicago
Albert Smith, former US Congressman
Jeff Taylor (musical artist)
Phineas L. Tracy, former US Congressman
J. C. Tretter, NFL Player
Emory Upton, United States Army General during the Civil War
Seth Wakeman, former US Congressman
Isaac Wilson, former US Congressman
Mary Elizabeth Wood, Librarian and missionary
Onz The Don, musician
In popular culture
Author John Gardner, a Batavia native, set his novels The Resurrection (1966) and The Sunlight Dialogues (1972) in 1960s Batavia.
Native Batavian Bill Kauffman, a political writer and columnist, has a book, Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette (2002), about the city. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald references Batavia in his novel, Tender Is the Night (1934)
Popular authors Stephen King and Peter Straub mention or set parts of their novel, The Talisman (1983), in the city.
Batavia was also referenced in The Simpsons Season 8 episode "The Twisted World of Marge Simpson", when the first order to Marge's pretzel business after securing the protection of the local mafia comes from the Meat Packers Union Hall in Batavia.
Batavia's minor league baseball team is referenced in the 2001 major motion picture “Summer Catch,” which stars Jessica Biel.
Environmental Risk Assessment
Toxics Release Inventory
In Batavia, there are multiple companies ranging from food products to manufacturing that release toxic chemicals on a regular basis. The following data comes from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database. In 2020, these facilities were responsible for 1,522,366 pounds of waste. Of this number, a total of 53,610 pounds was released on land, or into the air and water of the surrounding areas without being managed properly. These oversights in waste management can cause toxic chemicals to leech into the surrounding environment and become toxic to the individuals living there. Of these facilities, 4 are indicated by the EPA to release chemicals that could pose a threat to people in the surrounding communities. The risk indication comes from an RSEI score higher than zero, which signifies a possibility of harm and contamination. These companies include the following:
Graham Corporation
HP Hood LLC
Chapin International
US Chrome Corporation of New York
In total, these companies accounted for 29,724 pounds of the 53,610 pounds of contaminants released in Batavia in 2020, totaling 55.44% of the year's chemical releases. The top 5 contaminants by weight that caused an elevated RSEI score in 2020 are as follows:
Chromium (18 lb)
Nickel (44 lb)
Peracetic acid (1,318 lb)
Manganese (12 lb)
Lead (380 lb)
If consumed in toxic amounts, either rapidly or slowly over time, these chemicals can cause a multitude of negative health effects in residents surrounding these facilities. Among this list, nickel compounds have been found to be associated with cancer, hematological, immunological, and respiratory complications, manganese has been linked to neurological complications, and lead has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular, developmental, hematological, neurological, renal, and reproductive complications. This is just a short list of all of the possible risks of exposure so independent research is recommended. It is important to note, however, that the very presence of these compounds in released materials does not directly correlate with human ingestion, and that there are many safety measures in place to ensure that this is the case.
Affected Demographics
Each facility listed above is located inside or on the outer boundary of residential areas. In these areas, the population density of lower-income residents, as well as residents of color, is higher than in the areas that do not contain any facilities that potentially toxic chemicals. This trend seemingly holds true in most urban areas. As stated before, the placement of these facilities can have a large impact on the individuals who surround them. Throughout the United States, people of color and people living in impoverished conditions are more likely to live in areas hosting facilities that release toxic chemicals. This disparity accounts for a large difference in the health outcomes of the people in these neighborhoods, including increased asthma rates in children of color compared to their white counterparts, and many other adverse effects.
See also
Batavia (town), New York
Holland Land Office
References
Further reading
External links
City of Batavia official website
Batavia Business Improvement District
AM-1490 WBTA – Batavia radio station, only licensed radio station between Rochester and Buffalo
The Daily News, Batavia's only daily newspaper
The Batavian, online-only news site
Early history of Batavia region
Holland Land Office Museum
Historic Batavia: A City Revealed (images and audio)
"Tocqueville in Batavia", segment from C-SPAN's Alexis de Tocqueville Tour''
Cities in New York (state)
Cities in Genesee County, New York
County seats in New York (state)
Populated places established in 1802