Life in this part of Western New York State began typically as wilderness owned by the Holland Land Company, based in Batavia. Joseph Ellicott was mandated to survey and plot the area. He established the counties of Genesee and Orleans.
Soon, a major trail followed the Oak Orchard Creek, running from today's Shelby Center, passing through present day Medina, and onward to Lake Ontario. Settlers soon followed in the early 1800's, but the real impetus to the growth of the region was, of course, the construction of the Erie Canal.
That waterway opened the entire area which led to the establish the three major industries in Medina: quarrying of the famous Medina Sandstone, used throughout the United States and even overseas, metal foundries, and the emergence of the furniture manufacture business. These factors led to real wealth within Medina by the turn of the Twentieth Century which is reflected in what has been left behind and preserved.
| BOOK ISBN |
9781635000153 |
| FORMAT |
235 x 165 mm |
| BINDING |
Paperback |
| PAGES |
96 pages |
| PUBLICATION DATE |
15 August 2015 |
| TERRITORY |
World |
| ILLUSTRATIONS |
92 black-and-white and 92 colour photographs |
Frederick G. Fierch is a lifelong resident of the Royalton area and holds a bachelor of arts degree and master of arts degree in history. He and his wife have been in business in the Royalton-Hartland area for more than 25 years. His other publications include vintage photographs in Royalton, Middleport, and Hartland and present the memories of the distant and more recent past of these unique communities.
