Historical Markers in
Chemung County, New York

107th New York Volunteers 1776-1796 378 West Church Street A Brief History of the Elmira Popcorn Truck A Civil Rights Victory A National Cemetery System A.M.E. Zion Church Address by President Lincoln AFL-CIO Veterans Monument Augustus W. Cowles Battle of Chemung Chemung Chemung Canal Chemung Canal Feeder Chemung County Korea and Vietnam Monument Chemung County World War I Monument Chemung County World War II Monument Chemung Railway Depot Citizens Cascade Civil War Monument Col. John Hendy Colonel John Hendy Confederate Burials Confederate Burials in the National Cemetery Confederate Soldiers Memorial Crystal Eastman Dewittsburgh Divided Peoples Earliest Methodist Preaching Eldridge Park Elmira Elmira College Elmira Prison Camp 1864 - 1865 Elmira Prison Camp 1864-65 Ernie Davis Fire on the Frontier - 1778 First Settler Fitzsimmons Cemetery Flagstaffs - Newtown Battlefield Gillett Memorial Hall Green Bently Harris Hill Horseheads Horseheads In Honor of Major General John Sullivan John W. Jones John W. Jones Museum Knoll Cemetery Kopernik Line Occupied - Rifle Corps Line of Rude Breastworks Major General John Sullivan Mark Twain Mark Twain in Elmira Mark Twain Study Mark Twain Watering Trough Medal of Honor Monument Military Route Military Route Military Route Miller Cemetery Native Voices Newtown Newtown Battlefield Newtown Battlefield Reservation Newtown Battlefield State Park Newtown Defense Old Chemung Old Ferry Old Second Street Cemetery Pratt House Pulaski Park Rhodes Farm Riverside Cemetery Ross Gilmore Marvin Routes of the Armies of General John Sullivan and General James Clinton Runonvea Shohola Railroad Accident Memorial Soldiers of the American Revolution Spanish War Veterans Sullivan Road Sullivan's Army Encampment The Battle of Newtown The Battle of Newtown The Plank Road The Sullivan Campaign This Ridge This Stone Tompkins Hall Underground Railroad Participants Upon This Spot Stood The Original Flagstaff Veterans Memorial Veterans of All Wars William Mapes Woodlawn Cemetery History Woodlawn National Cemetery World War II Glider Training at Harris Hill World War II Memorial World War Memorial Zim Bandstand
New York State was home to several utopian communities in the 19th century, including the Oneida Community in central New York, which practiced communal living and free love, and the Shakers, who were known for their furniture and craftsmanship.
New York random facts
Chemung County, located in upstate New York, has a rich history that spans several centuries. Its origins can be traced back to the Native American tribes, particularly the Cayuga and the Seneca, who inhabited the region before the arrival of European settlers. The area was subsequently colonized by the British in the 18th century, and there were several skirmishes between the colonizers and Native American groups during the French and Indian War. However, after the American Revolution, the Native American population was progressively displaced.

In the early 19th century, Chemung County experienced significant growth with the construction of the Chemung Canal, which connected the state's southern and northern regions. This canal played a crucial role in stimulating trade and attracting settlers to the area. The county was officially established in 1836, named after the Chemung River that runs through it.

During the mid-19th century, the region became a hub for manufacturing and transportation, with industries such as railroads, lumber, and textiles flourishing. The arrival of the railroad expanded economic opportunities, making Chemung County an important transportation center for the region. The county's largest city, Elmira, emerged as a prosperous industrial center and a key hub on the Erie Railroad line.

In the 20th century, Chemung County experienced its fair share of challenges and successes. It played a significant role during World War II, with the Elmira Correctional Facility being used as a training camp for soldiers. The county continued to thrive with the growth of various industries, including manufacturing, agriculture, and healthcare. Today, Chemung County remains an important part of the Southern Tier region, with a diverse economy and a rich cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Chemung County, New York.

  • 1779 - Chemung County is settled by European American settlers.
  • 1788 - Chemung County becomes part of Montgomery County.
  • 1791 - Chemung County becomes part of Tioga County.
  • 1836 - Chemung County is established as a separate county.
  • 1854 - The City of Elmira is incorporated in Chemung County.
  • 1861-1865 - During the American Civil War, Elmira serves as a Union Army camp and the site of a prisoner-of-war camp.
  • 1968 - The Chemung County Historical Society is founded.
  • 2002 - The Wings of Eagles Discovery Center, an aerospace museum, opens in Elmira.