Historical Markers in Wayne County, New York
100 Years of Dramatics
A French Inspired Flotilla
A Memorial to All
A Memorial to Our Men Who Answered our County's Call
A Pillar of Strength / The Light of Freedom
A Vast Enterprise
Admiral William T. Sampson Memorial
Apple Dry House
Arcadia War Memorial
Baptist Meeting House
Battle of Sodus Point
Bear Creek Harbor
Big Sodus Light
Black Community
Blockhouse Creek
British Raids
Bullis House
Clyde Blockhouse Historical Site
Clyde Downtown Historic District
Clyde Historical Highlights
Cobblestone Architecture
Conflagration
Creating a Farm
Crombe Exhibit Barn
Cumorah
Davis Cemetery
Doty Home
East Palmyra Church
Emma B. Sweet
Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 55
Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 60 Historic Site
Erie Lock 60
Erie Mansion B&B
Fencing the Land
Fire of 1885
First Church
First Log Cabin
First Log House
First Meeting
First School
First School House
First Settlers of Macedon
First Tavern
First White Men
First Zion Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Former POW Camp
Former Railbed
Freewill Baptist Church
From the Nearby Ravine
Fruitland Mill
G. Winston Dobbins Memorial Park
G.A.R.-W.R.C. memorial
Grandin Print Shop
Gratefully Dedicated
H.G. Hotchkiss
H.G. Hotchkiss Peppermint Mural
H.G. Hotchkiss/Hotchkiss Essential Oils
Have You Wondered
Heritage Corners
Hill Cumorah Monument
Historic Sites
Historic Sodus Point
Honor Roll
In Memory of Our Fallen Civil War Soldiers
In Memory of Those from This Community
In Memory, World Wars 1 - 2
Indian Trail
Iron Furnace
Iron Ore Bed
Iron Works
It is 1880 and You are Riding on a Packet Boat
Jackson School
John and Rhoda Swift
Joseph Miller
Lake Stone House
Lockville
Log Cabin
Macedon Academy
Macedon's Honor Roll
Marion
Market Street Historic District
Martin Harris Farm
May 29, 1800
Memorial
Memorial Point at Bear Creek Harbor
Mildred Taylor
Mora Motor Car
Naming of Lyons
New York State Barge Canal
Northrup Park
Old Post Road
Paint Mill
Palmer Homestead
Palmyra Area
Palmyra in History
Palmyra War Memorial
Pioneer Cemetery
Pioneer Home
Pioneer Settler
Pultneyville Historic District
Rear Admiral Leslie E. Gehres
Replica Blockhouse
Roe Cobblestone Schoolhouse
Roll of Honor
Rope Walk
Sampson House
Sarah Mills
Site of 1825 Keeper's Dwelling House
Site of Daniel Dorsey Warehouse
Site of First Log House
Site of the Original Sodus Bay Lighthouse
Site of Union Church
Taylor Memorial Park
The 26 Erie Canal Laborers
The Bank
The Battle of Pultneyville
The Birthplace of Modern Spiritualism
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
The Eight Witnesses
The First Academy
The Fox Sisters
The Galen Historical Society Museum
The Lockville Locks in Newark
The Log Home
The Lyons Drydock
The Sacred Grove
The Sodus Point Coal Trestle
The War of 1812
This House
This House
This Tank
Town of Macedon
Town of Ontario Timeline
Towpath and Aqueduct / Father of the Iron Bridge
Train Wreck
Underground Railroad Station
Underground Railroad Terminus
Underground RR
Underground RR
Walworth
War of 1812
Warner House
Wayne County Historical Society
Wayneport Historic Area
Wilcoxen Home
Wolcott Falls
World War Cannon
World War I Mortar
Wreck of the St. Peter
Yeomans Wedding
"Hojack" Train Station
About Wayne County
Wayne County Timeline
Wayne County, located in the western part of New York State, has a rich and diverse history that dates back long before the arrival of European settlers. Before the 18th century, the region was inhabited by indigenous peoples, primarily the Seneca and Cayuga tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy. These tribes lived off the land, engaging in agriculture, hunting, and gathering activities, and their presence is still felt in the county today.
In the late 18th century, European settlers began to arrive in what is now Wayne County. The region became part of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign during the American Revolutionary War, as General Sullivan's troops marched through the area, destroying the Native American villages and crops. Following the war, the area experienced rapid growth, and in 1823, Wayne County was officially established.
Agriculture played a vital role in the county's development, with fertile soil and access to the Erie Canal making it an ideal location for farming. The county became known as the "Breadbasket of the Empire State" due to its productive farmland and abundant crop yields. It became a leading producer of apples, cherries, and onions, with orchards and farms dotting the landscape.
During the mid-19th century, Wayne County's economy expanded beyond agriculture. The construction of the Erie Canal and later the railroad brought increased commerce, and industry began to thrive. Mills, factories, and ironworks sprang up, contributing to the county's growth and prosperity.
Wayne County continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, adapting to changes in agriculture and industry. Today, it remains an agricultural hub while also embracing tourism, with its charming small towns, historic sites, and natural beauty attracting visitors from near and far. Its rich history and vibrant communities make Wayne County a unique and significant part of New York's heritage.
In the late 18th century, European settlers began to arrive in what is now Wayne County. The region became part of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign during the American Revolutionary War, as General Sullivan's troops marched through the area, destroying the Native American villages and crops. Following the war, the area experienced rapid growth, and in 1823, Wayne County was officially established.
Agriculture played a vital role in the county's development, with fertile soil and access to the Erie Canal making it an ideal location for farming. The county became known as the "Breadbasket of the Empire State" due to its productive farmland and abundant crop yields. It became a leading producer of apples, cherries, and onions, with orchards and farms dotting the landscape.
During the mid-19th century, Wayne County's economy expanded beyond agriculture. The construction of the Erie Canal and later the railroad brought increased commerce, and industry began to thrive. Mills, factories, and ironworks sprang up, contributing to the county's growth and prosperity.
Wayne County continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, adapting to changes in agriculture and industry. Today, it remains an agricultural hub while also embracing tourism, with its charming small towns, historic sites, and natural beauty attracting visitors from near and far. Its rich history and vibrant communities make Wayne County a unique and significant part of New York's heritage.
Wayne County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Wayne County, New York.
- 1683 - Wayne County is part of Albany County in the Province of New York.
- 1766 - Ontario County is formed, including present-day Wayne County within its boundaries.
- 1789 - Wayne County is established as a separate county from Ontario County.
- 1805 - Lyons is chosen as the county seat of Wayne County.
- 1810 - Wayne County gains its current boundaries.
- 1823 - The Erie Canal opens, bringing economic growth to Wayne County.
- 1850 - The population of Wayne County reaches over 35,000.
- 1906 - The first commercial fruit farm is established in Wayne County.
- 1952 - Wayne County Airport is opened.
- 2002 - Wayne County celebrates its bicentennial.