Oil was first discovered in the region by a French explorer in 1632, but it was rediscovered for commercial use during the Pennsylvania oil rush. Oil became the city’s claim to fame for fifty years. Olean was the railroad and pipeline hub for the surrounding oil region.

Is Olean NY Safe?

The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Olean is 1 in 45. Based on FBI crime data, Olean is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to New York, Olean has a crime rate that is higher than 92% of the state’s cities and towns of all sizes.

How did Olean get its name?

Olean (/ˈoʊliæn/ OH-lee-ann) is a town in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 1,963 at the 2010 census. 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.