The town was founded when Zebulon Barnum, Isaac Southwell, and John Morrison settled in the area in 1803. The Town of Hartland was created in 1812 from an eastern section of the Town of Cambria. Subsequently, the other towns were formed from its territory by cutting out, in whole or part, the towns of Somerset, Royalton, and Newfane by 1824. Upon the completion of the Erie Canal in 1824, the town lost its commercial prominence to Lockport, which was centered on the canal. The following are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Constant Riley W. Bixby House, Amzi Bradley Farmstead, District#10 Schoolhouse, Harrington Cobblestone Farmhouse and Barn Complex, and Philo Newton Cobblestone House.
New York State Route 104, East-West highway across the town from the Newfane town line to the Niagara-Orleans County line on into the Town of Ridgeway.
New York State Route 148 North-South roadway through the central part of town from its south end at Ridge Rd. north to the Town of Somerset.
New York State Route 269, North-South roadway that makes up the eastern town line, as well as the Niagara-Orleans County Line. This route runs from its southern end at Ridge Rd. north into the Town of Somerset.
New York State Route 271, North-South Highway in the southeastern part of town its northern end at Ridge Rd. south into Middleport where it has its southern terminus at Telegraph Rd..
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,165 people, 1,526 households, and 1,167 families residing in the town. The population density was 79.6 people per square mile. There were 1,583 housing units at an average density of 30.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.79% White, 0.53% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.72% of the population. There were 1,526 households, out of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.10. In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males. The median income for a household in the town was $40,281, and the median income for a family was $43,218. Males had a median income of $32,813 versus $21,356 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,253. About 6.8% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.4% of those under age 18 and 12.5% of those age 65 or over.
Communities and locations in Hartland
Eighteen Mile Creek - A stream that flows westward through the south part of the town.
Hartland - The hamlet of Hartland is in the south part of the town on Ridge Road. Hartland in on the north side of the East Branch Eighteen Mile Creek.
