Town along the Genesee River has experienced the rise and fall of fortunes associated with extractive industries: initially lumber and tanning (using bark from hemlock trees), then the petroleum industry. In 1879 oil was discovered near…
A rusted sign advertising Sinclair Gasoline found just outside of Wellsville, NY--likely dates back to the 1950s. Sinclair Oil's refinery in the town was a major employer but also was beset by huge fires in 1938 and 1958, the latter of which shut…