Origins of County Names

ORIGINS OF LOCAL PLACE NAMES

Allegany County, formed April 7, 1806, does not lack for interesting place names. Allegany itself has historical meaning, and is perhaps derived from the Algonquin Indian word “Al-li-ge-wi”. This name was applied to a trail that followed the course of the Allegany River.

In studying the county map, one could become quite curious about these origins. While the background information of a few places most likely will never be known for sure, stories abound for most. Let us “take a journey” around our County and learn our local history.

ALFRED (1808): Alfred was named after Alfred the Great who took over England in 1066. In early years it was called Alfred Center. When the Erie Railroad came through in 1851, the depot was not located in Alfred Center but 2 miles away in Bakers Bridge. The Baker family built Bakers Bridge over Whitney’s Creek so they could get to the gristmill at Almond. When the railroad built the depot at Bakers Bridge the name was changed to Alfred Station. Name confusion arose and by 1900 the word “Center” was dropped from Alfred. Between Alfred Station and Andover is located an unusual place called “Tip Top.” Today, Tip Top’s reference point is the mammoth chicken next to the road marking Tomm’s Chicken Farm. This place is famous in local railroad lore in that it marked the highest elevation point on the entire Erie Railroad line running from New York City to Chicago. Steam locomotives had to refill their water tanks here. The elevation is exactly 1776 feet. Formed from Angelica March 11, 1808.

ALLEN (1823): Allen was named by its early residents to honor Ethan Allen a Revolutionary War hero from the Battle of Ticonderoga. A hamlet with a most interesting name lies in the southern part of the township – Aristotle. Perhaps it is one of the farthest west NYS place names with a classical origin similar to our central NYS area where names of ancient Greece and Roman times abound. In the town of Allen is located a cemetery with a superb name: “Where The Pioneers Sleep.” Formed from Angelica January 31, 1823.

ALMA (1854): One historical source credits the name origin to a named Charles Wyvell who was intrigued with the Crimean War Battle of 1854, fought on the banks of the Alma River in Crimea. Others say it was named after Dr. Stephen O. Alma, the first manager of the Newbold Lumber Company of Shongo (which was once known as Beanville. Also in the township is the hamlet of Allentown, famous for its oil history. Formed from Willing November 23, 1854.

ALMOND (1821): Almond was not named after the event of a young man selling a tray of various nuts at the first town meeting. The almond nut was nowhere near pioneer western New York in 1821. The truth is the first settlers here were Scottish from the Almond River valley just a few miles west of Edinburgh Scotland. The climate and vegetation here is similar to “the old country” and like many other place names in the eastern U.S., their roots are European. Many years ago “Scotty” MacCrea of Alfred visited this part of Scotland. He confirmed that the Scottish pronunciation is “Ellmund” and definitely not “Ahhmind”. This is why locals here today pronounce it “Ellmond.” Also in the township, about 4 miles west on County Road # 2 is a hamlet of Karrdale. Various KARR families were the first settlers in the valley. In the northeast corner of the town is the hamlet of Bishopville named for an early settler named Bishop. Part of the Pulteney Estate, Almond was taken from Alfred by an act of Legislature March 16, 1821.

AMITY (1830): The dictionary definition of the word “amity” is friendship so a logical conclusion can be drawn according to early descriptions of its inhabitants. The village of Belmont, our County Seat, takes its name from 2 French words: belle, meaning beautiful and mont meaning mountain. An earlier name for the town was “Phillipsburgh” and an earlier name for the village was “Phillipsville,” both named after Phillip Church, the “father of the county.” In the northwest corner of the town is the hamlet of Belvidere. Around 1900 at the height of the railroad days in the county, 3 separate lines crossed the valley floor in Belvidere – the Erie, the Buffalo & Susquehanna and the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern. Phillip Church named his mansion and farm “Villa Belvidere” so the nearest hamlet acquired this name. According to legend, Belva Lockwood was on an Erie train passing through the area around 1884 when she was campaigning for President. She was the first female to plead a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and the first female candidate for President. When the train stopped at the station, the conductor yelled out in his usual mannerism “Belvidere!! Belvidere!!” Supposedly a small riot ensued. Formed from Angelica and Scio February 22, 1830

ANDOVER (1824): First called Bakers or Bakerstown in 1809. Then in 1815, named Strong’s Mills, after Luther Strong. In 1823, a Mr. & Mrs. James Adams and family came to the town, then un-named, from Mt. Holly, Vermont. It was he that suggested the name of Andover after a town by that name in Vermont in 1824. On the western edge of the township is the hamlet of Elm Valley previously called Shoemaker’s Corner. It is the town line between Andover & Wellsville. The hamlet was presumably named after an abundance of elm trees lining the streets in olden days. Elm Valley was the site of the first permanent settler to build in Allegany County. Nathaniel Dyke built here in 1795. Formed from Independence, January 28, 1824.

ANGELICA (1805): Certainly one of the prettier sounding names in the nation is the town & village of Angelica. Phillip Church, the benevolent founding father of the County named his new County Seat after his mother – Angelica Schuyler Church. Her husband was John Church a great friend of George Washington. Angelica’s sister Elizabeth married Alexander Hamilton. The pistols used in the famous Hamilton –Burr duel rested in Villa Belvidere for many, many years. In the southwest corner of the town lies the hamlet of Transit Bridge. In 1809 a bridge was built here and supposedly was the first bridge across the Genesee River. It lies exactly on the transit meridian survey line separating the Morris Reserve land purchase and the Holland Land Compny purchase. The current bridge stands a few yards upstream (South) from the original.

BELFAST (1824): Possibly Belfast holds the distinction of being called the most names. Various names used in the early years included Orrinsburg, Buttsville, Huddle, Podunk, Poland and Portland. Finally, the Justice of the Peace, a man named John McKean, a native of Belfast, Maine suggested Belfast and it stuck. Rockville Lake is in the town of Belfast and named for the rock quarry in the area. Boulders for the locks on the old Genesee Valley Canal came from this quarry. Formed from Caneadea March 24, 1824, another portion was annexed from Caneadea in 1831.

BIRDSALL (1829): Named after the Eighth Judicial District Judge (1823-1829) John Birdsall. Formed from Almond and Allen May 4, 1829.

BOLIVAR (1825): (Locally pronounced "Bah--lih--ver") This town was named for the great South American liberator Simon Bolivar. Just west of the present village of Bolivar lies the hamlet of Kossuth named for Louis (Lajos) Kossuth Governor of Hungry during its fight for independence and democracy (1848-1849). Formed from Friendship, February 15, 1825.

BURNS (1826): This town was named for the Scottish poet Robert Burns. Located in the town is the village of Canaseraga, an Indian word meaning “among the milkweeds.” Also here is the hamlet of Garwoods, named after an early settler name James Garwood and the hamlet of Burns-near Arkport. Formed from Ossian, now Livingston County, March 17, 1826.

CANEADEA (1808): Caneadea is an Indian word meaning, “where the sun rests on the hills.” The hamlet of Oramel is named after Oramel Griffin, an early settler. Also in the Town of Caneadea is the hamlet of Houghton, home of Houghton College. Named after Willard J. Houghton. Formed from Angelica March 11, 1808.

CENTERVILLE (1819): The hamlet of Centerville supposedly was named for it location in the “center” of the confluence of several valleys. The township name evolved from there. Formed from Pike (now in Wyoming County) January 15, 1819.

CLARKSVILLE (1835): Took its name from the Honorable Staley Nichols Clarke, an agent for the Holland Land Company. Located in the southern part of the town is the hamlet of Obi, no idea as to its origin.

CUBA (1822): Here is one of the biggest mysteries in our name origins. There are many tails as to how Cuba got it’s name but nothing is concrete. One of the most active members of the Cuba Historical Society for many years was George Spanneut. He spent years researching the origin and found nothing to lead him to origin. He did find 9 other Cuba’s across the nation. Our best guess is that it is named for the island nation. Formed from Friendship February 4, 1822.

FRIENDSHIP (1815): First settlers arrived in 1805. Originally called “Bloody Corners” and / or “Fightin’ Corners” by the early settlers die to alleged weekend fights. The finer citizens took offense, went to the other extreme and officially named it Friendship. In the southern end of the town is the hamlet of Nile. It is believed the named derived from the wishes of early settlers, many of who were Seventh Day Baptists. Formed from Caneadea March 24, 1815.

GENESEE (1830): The Seneca Indian word meaning “pleasant bank” is the origin of the name Genesee. In the town is a small creek, a tributary stream of the Allegany River, called Little Genesee, thus the name of the hamlet through which it flows. Also in the town is the hamlet of Ceres, most likely another name from the classical influence of NYS place name origins. Formed from Cuba April 16, 1830.

GRANGER (1839): First named West Grove when formed from Grove in April 13, 1838. Later it was renamed Granger in the honor of Francis Granger of Canandaigua, Postmaster General of the U.S. on March 6, 1839. Also in the township is the hamlet of Short Tract, named after the early settler, William Short who purchased a large tract of land in the area.

GROVE (1828): When first settled it was called Brewer’s Corners in 1823. Then later called Swainsville in honor of an early settler named Samuel Swain. The name Swain remains today as a hamlet. Formed from Wyoming County from the town of Nunda March 8, 1827. The name was changed to Grove April 16, 1838.

HUME (1822): At one point in time it was called Cold Creek but the name was changed to Hume. It is generally agreed upon the township took its name in honor of the British historian and philosopher David Hume. The largest settlement in the town is the now hamlet of Fillmore, formerly a village. This was dissolved in 1894 by a vote of the residents. When the hamlet became large enough for a post office to be established, they applied to the federal government and were denied due to an adequate number of such offices in the area. The fine citizens were not happy with this so they appealed to the President stating they would name their new community after him if he would intercede on their behalf. The President was Buffalo native Millard Fillmore and the rest is history. Also here is the hamlet of Mills, which is named after Roger Mills, a very prominent early settler who built mills along the streams. Formed from Pike, which was in Allegany County at the time but now in Wyoming County. February 19, 1822.

INDEPENDENCE (1821): At one time called Green’s Corners after Luther Green who settled there in 1820. Speculation abounds regarding the name and origin of Independence, but the hamlet of Whitesville was named in honor of Samuel Whites, an early prominent citizen. The hamlet of Spring Mills most likely derives its name from the many springs and subsequent mills located there. Formed from Alfred March 16, 1821.

NEW HUDSON (1825): Originally named Haight after an early settler named General Haight donated 100 acres to the town with the stipulation his namesake remain as such. After much resentment arose in 1837, the name was changed to New Hudson, unknown why that name. The hamlet of Black Creek is the largest settlement in the town and most likely named after the appearance of its creek. Formed from Rushford April 10, 1825.

RUSHFORD (1816): Early settlers wanted to name the town after Windsor, Vermont from where they came but there was already a Windsor, N.Y.. A common held belief as to the name of Rushford origin is that rushes abounded along the banks of the creek where settlers could “ford” the stream. Another one is that is was named after Dr. Rush of Philadelphia who resided there eventually. The foundations of building in the former hamlets of East Rushford and Kelloggsville can occasionally be seen when the water of Rushford Lake is lowered in the winter-time. Formed from Caneadea March 8, 1816.

SCIO (1823): (Locally Pronounced "Sigh--o").Before getting its final name it was called Bloods Corner or Bloods and then later Riddleville, unknown as to where these came from. Of all the place name origins in our County, Scio has probably generated the greatest amount of controversy and interest. The most commonly held belief is based on the construction of the Erie Railroad through the county from 1849-1851. Construction of the line apparently was done by section with the area in this part of the county called “section 10” on maps/blueprints of the time. Some believe this area was abbreviated to Sc.10 and the corruption of “Scio” resulted. However, common sense and historical knowledge dictate otherwise. The town of Scio was formed-by that name in 1823, many years before the railroad was even planned. In 1820 there was a massacre of Christians by the Turks on the Greek island of Scio in the Aegean Sea. This act horrified many in the western world with the great Daniel Webster giving a passionate speech that swept the country. The founding fathers so honored the victims by naming their new town Scio. Formed from Angelica January 31, 1823.

WARD (1856): This is the last of our 29 townships to be formed. The town was named in honor of Judge Hamilton Ward from Belmont who was a former state attorney general. His portrait hangs in our County Court House. Formed from parts of Alfred and Amity in November 21, 1856.

WELLSVILLE (1855): The hamlet chose its name of Wellsville about 1832 in honor of Gardner Wells, one of it’s largest landowners. The present village of Wellsville was still very small when the Erie Railroad came through in 1851. Its population increased rapidly and the name was unofficially changed to Genesee Station, as this is where westbound trains first entered the Genesee Valley. The U.S. Post Office refused to honor this name change due to its close similarity to well established Geneseo in Livingston County. The state legislature ended this confusion by passing a law in 1873 making the original name of Wellsville it permanent name. Town formed from parts of towns of Scio, Andover, and Willing, on November 22, 1855.

WEST ALMOND (1833): In naming their new town, the founders chose to honor their neighbors to the east, Almond.

WILLING (1851): Charles Willing was one of the original owners of the Willing & Francis Tracts of land and was so honored by the founders. The hamlet of Hallsport was named for an early settler named Calvin Hall while Stannard’s Corner’s was named after John Stannards who kept the first hotel there. Very little remains today of a hamlet called Stone Dam, which took its name from a dam on a creek, built to provide water to operate a mill. Our Indian culture influence is also evident here with the hamlet of Shongo, named in honor of prominent Chief Shongo. Formed from Independence and Scio November 19, 1851.

WIRT (1838): The township’s name suggested in honor of a famous writer named William Wirt by Peleg Sherman, one of the town’s early settlers. Formed from Bolivar and Friendship April 22, 1838.