Elma, New York
Population: 10,355
Located in Erie County
Elma, New YorkElma is the youngest town in Erie County. It is six square miles and has five small communities; Blossom, East Elma, Elma Center, Elma Village and Springbrook. The Seneca Nation of Indians had possession of the land in Elma for two hundred years. The Holland Land Company contracted the land in the early 1800's. When white men moved west in New York State, they started to settle among the Seneca and Iroquois Indians. That was in Blossom, Elma Village called "Big Flats" and East Elma on the banks of Buffalo Creek, near the Marilla line from 1825-1842. In 1856 the Erie County Board of Supervisors determined there was a need for another town between Lancaster and East Aurora. The people in this area had requested a Post Office, so they could have an address. In 1858, at a meeting at the local and active resident C.W. Hurd's home, now the Elma Town Museum, the Town of Elma was organized and named. Originally the name Elm was suggested due to the number of Elm trees in the area, however, the addition to the "a" to the word Elm was suggested and adapted. A Post Office was established and the residents received their mail twice a week from Lancaster and East Aurora. In 1873, the first fire company was created in Blossom, with others soon to follow. When the roads were created, they were named after Elma's original residents. The oldest home in Elma is the Hatch House. Located on Hemstreet, it was built in 1825 by Zina Hemstreet and is now a landmark. The oldest business in Elma is the North Star Tavern. Located on Seneca Street and North Road, it was built by Martin Taber and is also a local landmark. Currently it is owned and operated by Marie Young O'Brien. The oldest farm in Elma is the Jacob Davis farm on Wilshire Road. Settled in 1831, five generations of the Davis family have worked this land. Charles Davis is the fifth generation and is currently running the family farm. The first of now 13 churches in Elma was St. Vincent's of Springbrook, establishes in 1850. District Schools were formed in 1857. Source: Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce |
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Also visit: Akron, Alden, Cheektowaga, Depew & Marilla |
