Yates County, New York

History - Town of Penn Yan

From the History of Yates County, NY
published 1892, by L.C. Aldrich

pg 303 - pg 304

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(Note: See also the portion of Early Settlers)

In the northern portion of township No. 7, of the first range, better and more commonly know as the town of Milo, at a point near and about he foot of Ogoyago, or Crooked Lake, where the waters find an outlet through a narrow channel, and eventually discharge into Seneca Lake, nature provided a splendid site upon which civilized man might build up a thriving, prosperous village.  That consummation has been reached, in fact was attained nearly three-quarters of a century ago, but each succeeding year has witnessed some material improvement, some development of new resources, until by slow stages it has grown to contain a population of more than 4,000 souls, and is provided with all the enterprises, the industries and commercial advantages that can be found in any interior village in the Empire State. 

The “head of the street” remained for many years the center of business and residence, but as years passed away dwelling-houses became more frequent along both sides of the highway leading to Wagener’s mill.  In fact it was not many years afterward that this locality began to assume the character of a hamlet.  The vicinity of the outlet and the foot of the lake formed a highly desirable site for a village, for boat communication with points up the lake opened a thoroughfare of trade and travel in that direction.  In 1800, a road was surveyed from the foot of the lake about two-thirds of a mile eastward, Joseph JONES, Ezra COLE and John PLYMPTON being the commissioners to do the work.  Another road led from the LEE place to Wagener’s mills constructed in 1806 and three years later commissioners Morris F. SHEPPARD and Charles ROBERTS laid out still another highway leading form Plympton’s Bridge to the mills. 

The opening of these roads was made necessary to accommodate the Milo people in getting to and from the mills on the outlet.  But about the time the work was commenced, possibly earlier, another little settlement had spring up near the foot of the lake.  This locality at once became a rival to the hamlet at the head of the street.  The tract was laid out in village lots and many improvements were made there.  The name of Elizabethtown was given the place, and it boasted of a hotel, store and several dwellings.  The tavern was built by Wallace FINCH, who was succeeded by Peter HELTIBIDAL, and the latter in turn by George and Robert SHEARMAN.  Afterward it became known as the Kimball Hotel, but was torn down many years ago.  Another hotel stood where Charles D. WELLE’s dwelling is erected, but that hostelry eventually was put to other uses and now forms part of the houses of Mr. WELLS and Calvin CARPENTER.  The name of this locality was changed in the course of a few years from Elizabethtown to Summer Site, and as such continued until it finally merged into and was absorbed by its more successful rival - - Penn Yan.

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