Surprising Facts About Elmira NY
August 25, 2020
The Queen City is Full of Surprises!
The Queen City – Elmira, New York – was incorporated in the year 1864 within the township of Chemung. Now the biggest city in the current Chemung County, Elmira has developed a storied history as the seat of the central Southern Tier. From the birthplace of Mark Twain to acting as the gateway to New York City and Albany for freight from the rest of Western New York, Elmira is a little city with a huge heart – let’s take a look at what makes this gem shine.
Many people know that Elmira is home to the great American poet, Mark Twain, but Elmira has also been the birthplace to many famous folks. The current governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, was born in Elmira in 1956. The world-renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger is also an Elmira native who graduated from the Elmira Free Academy in the mid-70s. Elmira also boasts as the birthplace of Ernie Davis – the first ever African-American to win the Heisman trophy for his performance as a collegiate football player.
On top of the list of notable people born and raised in Elmira, the city has a long-standing history as a manufacturing and transportation hub. During the height of the rail era, Elmira was a vital stop along the New York and Erie railroad. Beginning in the early 1800’s, the New York and Erie railroad was built through Elmira in order to connect Buffalo, Albany, New York City, and Syracuse to the city. These railway connections not only made Elmira a critical muster point during the civil war, but provided the city with limitless manufacturing possibilities.
Currently home to Anchor Glass Container Corporation, Elmira’s glassware manufacturing facility was originally owned and operated by the Thatcher Glass company in Elmira Heights, on the northside of downtown. Thatcher Glass is credited in American history with revolutionizing the way that milk gets stored and delivered – some relics of the business are stored at the Corning Museum of Glass! Two businesses that were founded in 1905 that are still manufacturing under the same name in Elmira are Hilliard Corporation and Kennedy Valve. Hillard produces operational parts for motor vehicles in both commercial and personal use capacities, while Kennedy Valve boasts world recognition for their production of sewage systems; most notably their fire hydrants.
Beyond the city’s history as an economic hub in the Southern Tier, Elmira also boasts over 20 parks including Eldridge Park which, in 2006, restored and reopened a classic carousel from 1890! Eldridge Park also hosts a fishing lake and multiple other family-style attractions. For rail enthusiasts looking to connect with the historical Lackawanna Railway, a 2.5 mile tract of the former railway has been converted by the city into a walking trail which continues outside of city limits down to the neighboring town of Loman. Elmira’s Brand Park features a collection of sports fields and the city’s only remaining bandstand which is active each summer with a city-sponsored concert series!
The city of Elmira is a longstanding staple of Southern Tier culture, and Wallin Insurance is proud to serve our historical community. With the city’s history so rich, we hope to help the city that we serve flourish in an even brighter future!
Beyond the city’s history as an economic hub in the Southern Tier, Elmira also boasts over 20 parks including Eldridge Park which, in 2006, restored and reopened a classic carousel from 1890! Eldridge Park also hosts a fishing lake and multiple other family-style attractions. For rail enthusiasts looking to connect with the historical Lackawanna Railway, a 2.5 mile tract of the former railway has been converted by the city into a walking trail which continues outside of city limits down to the neighboring town of Loman. Elmira’s Brand Park features a collection of sports fields and the city’s only remaining bandstand which is active each summer with a city-sponsored concert series!
The city of Elmira is a longstanding staple of Southern Tier culture, and Wallin Insurance is proud to serve our historical community. With the city’s history so rich, we hope to help the city that we serve flourish in an even brighter future!
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