COMMUNITIES Elba
Onion Capital of the World The village of Elba is six miles north of Batavia, on Route 98. Its well-kept homes, churches, and attractive K-12 school create a serene setting that generates community spirit and pride. Elba’s first settlers were Samuel and Amos Ranger, who came from Vermont in 1801 and took up residence at Daws Corners. Two years later, John Young, a Virginia farmer, moved his family here and became the first person to obtain a deed from the Holland Land Company. The town incorporated in 1820. By an act of Congress in 1896, Elba was the first town in the United States to receive free rural mail delivery. Agriculture has always been Elba’s main source of wealth. Elba has two of the nation’s top 100 farms located within the town, as well as one of America’s most highly-praised community-supported organic farms. Elba’s upland farms produce a variety of crops including cabbage, cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash, while 2500 acres of rich muckland soil yields potatoes and onions. The Historical Society of Elba maintains a museum and an 1842 farmhouse, where visitors learn of Elba’s long, unique, and proud history. The Elba high school consistently fields fine athletic teams. And Elba is graced by a large number of artists, who have painted the town in vivid and lovely colors.
LeRoy
Birthplace of JELL-O LeRoy is a historic village with tree-lined streets and classic Victorian houses, only five minutes from Exit 47 off the New York Thruway. Nestled along the scenic Oatka Creek, LeRoy is only an hour from Niagara Falls, and just 30 minutes from downtown Rochester. The village offers a relaxed, quiet atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities. Visitors enjoy dining at excellent restaurants, then stay the night at a bed and breakfast or a nearby campground (all located within 10 minutes of town).
Dessert.” LeRoy’s unique history also includes Ingham University, a pioneer in women’s education, as well as a 17–mile documented driving tour of the Underground Railroad. On the ‘First Teen Weekend’ in July, have fun at the LeRoy Oatka Festival. The festival centers around an arts and crafts show overlooking the Oatka Creek, and features musical entertain-ment, children’s activities, delicious foods, and a variety of family events.
Oakfield-Alabama
Outdoor Adventure at the National Wildlife Refuge The quaint community of Oakfield quietly lies five miles north of the NYS Thruway, Exit 48 in Batavia, making it conveniently located halfway between WNY’s two biggest cities, Rochester and Buffalo, and serving as a bedroom community for commuters to these metropolitan areas. Oakfield is home to great neighbors; many locally-owned businesses, five churches and several community minded organizations. The peaceful community lies five miles north of the New York state Thruway, Exit 48 in Batavia. Oakfield was founded in 1842, and has the distinction of having one of the earliest private schools in Genesee County, Cary Collegiate Seminary. The Seminary was open to students in 1844 and closed in 1905. A wide array of historical records are available to history buffs through the Oakfield Historical Society, and the Town/Village Historian. The 10,818 acre Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located here. Stop by and view the hatching of bald eagles, spot wildlife and watch the arrival of the Canadian geese.
LeRoy’s historical society operates the Historic LeRoy House and the JELL-O Gallery Museum. Visitors and groups from around the world have come to learn about “America’s Most Famous
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce | 8276 Park Road, Batavia, NY | 585.343.7440 | www.GeneseeNY.com
11