Chili celebrates its Bicentennial

My Hometown History

A First for Chili

Excerpt from the “Historical Digest of Early Chili,” by Jay Widener, former Town Historian and written by Melissa Cunningham, Chili Bicentennial Committee Member

February 22, a significant date for the Town of Chili, a “first” birthday if you will, as the New York State Legislature passed an act that annexed a portion of the Town of Riga (eastern section), into the current day Town of Chili, in 1822.

Judge Joseph Sibley, known as the “Father of Chili,” was the town’s first supervisor, holding the town’s initial town meeting on April 2, 1822, at the home of James Coleman. Sibley operated an early mill on Black Creek. Sibley’s Mill (located on Black Creek near Stuart Road and Chili Avenue) was later operated by Gertrude Hertz. The property on which the mill was located is now on the National Register of Historic Sites.

Judge Sibley was said to have remarkable memory, excellent judgement, but was most known for his willingness to help his neighbors …a strong trait, 200 years later, that is the heartbeat of our community.

The Sibley-Stuart-Dillenbeck House in Chili was built in 1834. Photo courtesy of Phillip Supernault.

In discussing “firsts” below are a few “firsts” for the Town of Chili…

There are two theories concerning the origin of the name of our town, “Chili.” The first theory is that the town was named after Chile, South America, and that the name was somehow mispronounced. Local people may have been sympathetic to Chile in its struggle for independence. Early authors when writing about this theory always qualified their statements with words such as “maybe,” “perhaps,” “possibly,” etc.

The second theory was that the Town of Chili was named after the Chiliast or Chilian religion. This was the religion of some of the earliest settlers in the South Chili area. They came from Pennsylvania and they were of German, Dutch, and Flemish origins. They believed that one thousand years of peace would be followed by the return of the lord.

The first road was Scottsville Road. It was laid out by Peter and Jacob Sheffer in 1792. It ran from Oatka, or Allen’s Creek, to the falls of the Genesee River in present day Rochester. 4  | My Hometown February 2022

Chili Presbyterian Church Photo by Dick Halsey

The first land owner in what is now Chili was Peter Sheffer. He arrived in 1789 and purchased his land from Ebeneezer Allen. Though he owned land in Chili, Peter Sheffer actually lived in Wheatland.

The first recorded settlers, arriving in 1792, were Captain Joseph Morgan and his family. He was a Revolutionary War veteran like many of the early pioneers. He purchased his land from Peter Sheffer in the Scottsville Road area, south of what is present day Morgan Road. Morgan was followed in 1794 by Andrew Wortman, Stephen Peabody, and Leonard Widener. Josiah Fish settled at the mouth of Black Creek in 1794 and later became the first supervisor of the old Town of Northhampton. Henry Widener and his family of 11 adult children and step-children arrived in 1796.

Stephen Peabody operated the first business, a distillery, in the Town of Chili. Another early business was the Jacob-WidenerJoseph Carey Saw and Grist Mill.

The first tavern was the Checkered Tavern. It was located near the intersection of Morgan Road and Chili Scottsville Road and was built by Henry Widener.

The first church was the Chili Presbyterian Church on Chili Avenue at Stottle Road. It was erected in 1832. Other businesses quickly followed which included taverns, hotels, schools, and churches.

Most of the first settlers were German and Belgian from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey areas. They probably heard about the Chili area and its fertile land from soldiers returning from Sullivan’s expedition against the Indians in 1779. The settlers used the Williamson Road through Tioga to New Town (now Elmira) and then followed the Sullivan route from Kanadesago (now Geneva) to the Genesee River. After the war of 1812, there was a major immigration from New England.

The first road to the interior was the Braddocks Bay Road. It ran from Braddocks Bay to the present-day Morgan Road where it turned east towards the river and Scottsville. The road is now known as Union Street.

The first railroad ran from Rochester to Buffalo in 1812 and the old Genesee Valley Canal was opened in 1862 connecting Rochester to the Allegheny River.

The first airport in Monroe County. December 1919, Rochester Common Council acquired 110 acres of land and a 66-foot roadway off Scottsville Road in Chili for the establishment of an aircraft base, initially named Britton Field, now home to the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.

The first organized fire department. The Chili Volunteer Fire Department (CFD) was organized on October 6, 1931, with 22 active members and Seth Widener listed as the department’s first president. To this day, CFD continues to proudly serve the community through their dedicated volunteers.

The first college was opened in North Chili in 1860 in a former tavern and stage stop on the northwest corner of Buffalo Road and Union Street. It was called Chesborough Seminary and it was operated by B.T. Roberts. Chesborough Seminary later became Roberts Wesleyan College. One of the first students was Richard P. Hubbard. The old tavern and stage stop is still there today.

The Town of Chili was founded 200 years ago; our community has since had numerous “firsts,” however, we continue to celebrate our past as we continue to grow and create new opportunities within our community.

Celebrating the Bicentennial

As we celebrate the year 2022 and the Town’s Bicentennial, the volunteer Bicentennial committee has planned a variety of events to commemorate the birth of Chili. Please visit the Town of Chili’s website for the complete list of all upcoming Bicentennial events, details, to purchase gala tickets, and registration information.

Every birthday needs a party, the Bicentennial is no different. Join the town in celebrating Chili’s 200th Birthday at our Bicentennial Gala, being held March 5 at 6:00 p.m. Jack’s Place of the Chili Country Club are our gracious hosts for the evening. $40 per person includes an evening filled with many local culinary favorites, a viewing of a rare collection of Chili artifacts, dancing, dinner, door prizes, and a commemorative ornament. Visit www. townofchili.org to purchase your tickets.

Chili Library staff, in conjunction with Peter Widener and Tammy Canfield from the Historical Society, created an interactive timeline which tells the town’s story in a fun and educational way. The timeline is a great tool for families, individuals, and educators to share with their classrooms.

On March 26, The Chili Historical Society is sponsoring “Life and the Longhouse” speaker Perry Ground, a traditional Storyteller and Cultural Educator from the “Haudenosaunee” indigenous people of our area. The presentation will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Chili American Legion Post 1830, no registration required.

Chesbrough College is now known as Roberts Wesleyan College and this is the tavern in which the college was organized.

On Saturday, April 2, the Chili Historic Preservation Board will place a Historical sign at the Clifton Fire House. Later that day, at noon, the Chili Town Board meeting will commemorate Chili’s first meeting in 1822 with the unveiling of a historical sign marking the occasion.

Are you a Chili business owner? If so, April is your month to shine! April is Business Month. Bicentennial Committee members will be visiting local businesses to encourage participation. During April, local businesses will be encouraged to shine a spotlight on their specialty / products by offering special menus, incentives, or discounts.

Residents will in turn be encouraged to participate by obtaining a passport from the town website, community center, or town hall and patronize participating businesses!

The last week of April (24-30) will be just for your taste buds. “Restaurant Week” will be dedicated to the various food and beverage establishments that call Chili home.

Business owners who are interested in participating in either of these opportunities or to gain more information, can contact Councilwoman Mary Sperr at MSperr@townofchili.org or Councilman James Valerio at JValerio@townofchili.org.

A free, self-directed Scavenger Hunt that will take you and your family through Chili will be offered throughout the entire month of May. The scavenger hunt is an interactive way to explore the town, have fun, and learn some interesting historical facts. Scavenger Hunt sheets will be available to print on the town website or to pick up at the community center and Town Hall locations.

Your creativity is needed on May 6. Come to the Community Center to help paint 200 rocks that will be hidden and shared throughout the town in honor of the Bicentennial. This familyfriendly event is a great way to get everyone involved with the celebration. Registration is required; snacks and supplies will be provided.

Additional events will be forthcoming, and the Bicentennial celebration will last throughout 2022. Stay tuned as updates for events will be posted on the Chili Recreation and Chili Library Facebook pages, in the upcoming town newsletters, as well as on www.townofChili.org. We hope you can join the celebration!

Cover photos provided by the Chili Historical Society Paintings by the Chili Art Group Sibley-Stuart-Dillenbeck House photo courtesy of Phillip Supernault