New York Railroad Archive

Wolf Run, NY

A topographic map showing the former Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railroad line though Onoville, Wolf Run, and Quaker Bridge, NY. Author’s illustration.

Wolf Run was a station on the railroad line along the south bank of the Allegheny River that started in Olean and passed through Salamanca. Wolf Run, (former Town of Elko post office) got its name from an incident when the area was first being settled. A Holland Land Company surveyor’s dog ran a wolf into a hollow log.  Upon chopping the log open, they found the mother and 4 or 5 cubs. 

First sawmill on Wolf Run was built in 1859. There was also a blacksmith shop, a store, a post office, a telegraph office and the railroad station.

A 1939 aerial photograph of the area around Wolf Run, NY. Wolf Run and the railroad station were located on the southern bank of the river at the sharp bend in the bottom-right corner. Photo provided by Bob Schmid found on the “CONSTRUCTION of the KINZUA DAM” Facebook page.

History

The line was first constructed 1882 or 1883 by the Buffalo, Pittsburgh and Western Railroad and was operated by the Buffalo, New York and Philadelphia Railway / Railroad (1882 – 1887), Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad / Railway (1887 to 1900), and the Pennsylvania Railroad (1900 – 1962). The line was authorized for abandonment in 1962 to allow for the construction of the Kinzua Reservoir on the Allegheny River.

News Clippings

Digital Artifacts

Learn More

  • “South Valley“. Historic Path of Cattaraugus County web site.