With the Erie Canal’s opening in 1825 and its success in moving goods and people across New York State, canal enthusiasm ran high. Western New York residents, with the support … Continue reading Genesee Valley Canal
Scoundrel Extraordinaire – Ebenezer Allan
One of the Genesee Valley’s most colorful and perhaps despicable inhabitants was Ebenezer “Indian” Allan. Born September 17, 1752 somewhere in New Jersey, Allan had likely moved to Pennsylvania by … Continue reading Scoundrel Extraordinaire – Ebenezer Allan
A Portageville Man – Edward Quested
Many of us are exploring family trees to find our origins and how our ancestors found their way to the United States. Investigating my husband’s paternal grandmother’s family brought some … Continue reading A Portageville Man – Edward Quested
Gibsonville – Vanished Village
One of the “vanished villages” along the Genesee River is Gibsonville. The long-ago thriving community was located in the Town of Leicester in Livingston County. Its former boundaries are now … Continue reading Gibsonville – Vanished Village
St. Helena – Another Vanished Village
St. Helena was another ghost town along the Genesee River that saw its heyday in the 19th century. Located in the Town of Castile, St. Helena was part of Mary … Continue reading St. Helena – Another Vanished Village
The White Woman of the Genesee
If you’ve visited Letchworth State Park or are from Wyoming County, NY you’re probably familiar with Mary Jemison a/k/a The White Woman of the Genesee. Hers is a fascinating story … Continue reading The White Woman of the Genesee
Sam Patch-Daredevil Extraordinaire
We live in the era of extreme sports and it seems there are plenty of daredevils who push right on past the boundaries of good sense, sometimes to their peril. … Continue reading Sam Patch-Daredevil Extraordinaire
The Enterprising Miss North and the Geneseo Jam Kitchen
Many interesting businesses developed in the Genesee Valley in the 19th century and one of those was created by Miss Ellen North of Geneseo. Born in 1857, she was the … Continue reading The Enterprising Miss North and the Geneseo Jam Kitchen
POW Camps of the Genesee
The Civilian Conservation Corps camps in Letchworth State Park provided a venue for various purposes during their short existence. The last of these was housing 200 German prisoners of war … Continue reading POW Camps of the Genesee
Along the Genesee 