Wayne County

Wayne County is located in the western New York region and lies on the south shore of Lake Ontario, forming part of the northern border of the United States with Canada. The county has a population of approximately 93,000 people and was named after American Revolutionary War hero General Anthony Wayne.

Agriculture is the leading industry in Wayne County. The region is the top apple producing county in New York State and one of the top producers nationwide. The agriculture industry is vital to not only the local economy, but that of the entire state.

The fifteen town county has much to offer its residents and visitors. The town of Arcadia was formed in 1825 and is comprised of approximately 31,000 acres of fertile soil and gently rolling drumlins, the highest point of which is Brantling Hill, Wayne County’s only ski slope. Within the Town of Arcadia resides the Village of Newark, which is known as Wayne County’s center of industry, with such well-known companies as Fold-Pak Corp., Hallagan Manufacturing, IEC Electronics, and UltraLife Batteries.

The town of Butler was formed in 1826 and contains approximately 22,000 acres of land. The land is very fertile and the main industry is agriculture. Butler is the site of the ordination of the first woman minister in the United States – Antoinette Brown Blackwell, a pioneer in women’s rights.

The town of Galen is a rural community with a population of approximately 4,400. It is home to the Galen Mill Museum, a former working grain mill, that offers a wide range of exhibits including artifacts from the old glassworks factory.

The town of Huron lies on the shores of Lake Ontario and has a population of just over 2,100. Fruit farming and processing are the major industries of this rural town.

The town of Lyons was created in 1811 and  is home to the Wayne County Historical Society Museum, which offers visitors a unique look at 19th century life. The Erie Canal was pivotal in the development of both the town and the village of Lyons. The canal reached Wayne County in 1820, doubling its popultaion. New roads and buildings were constructed, wages rose, and real estate values increased.

The Erie Canal was also an important factor in the settlement and growth of the town of Macedon. Macedon’s two ports on the canal were Wayneport and the village of Macedon itself. Today, Lock #30 of the Barge Canal System is open to visitors to view an operating lock.

The town of Marion has a popultation of nearly 5,000. It is primarily a farming community and is noted for its fruit orchards and vegtables, particularly from the rich muckland in the eastern part of the town.

Formed in 1807, the town of Ontario has more than 8,500 residents. The town has the best of both worlds as it is a rural community, but has the advantage of being only 30 minutes from the metropolitan area of Rochester.
The town of Palmyra was created in 1789 and is regarded as the birthplace of the Morman religion. It is also home to numerous museums including William Phelps General Store Museum, Alling Coverlet Museum, and Palmyra Historical Museum.

The town of Rose is home to just over 2,240 residents and is home to the Bernard Farnsworth Museum. The museum is located in the former Rose Elementary School and features displays and artifacts depicting the history of the town.

The town of Sodus was formed in 1789. A little known fact about the town of Sodus is that it is the birthplace of Arbor Day. In the year 1881, Edward C. Delano of Sodus Center wrote an article that was published in the Wayne County Alliance titled "Shade Trees". Mr. Delano urged that shade trees be planted in all the town's schoolyards. In that year he was elected Wayne County School Commissioner and worked tirelessly for this cause. It was, however, 1888 before the New York State Legislature proclaimed, officially, Arbor Day. The first Arbor Day circulars were sent out from Albany in the spring of 1889. Some of the trees planted in Sodus on that first Arbor Day still stand.

The town of Savannah was created in 1824 and is comprised of nearly 21,000 acres. A savannah is an extensive open plain covered with grass. The town was aptly named. The southwest portion of Savannah is comprised of an extensive swamp of nearly 1,900 acres which was covered with coarse grass.

The town of Walworth was formed in 1829. It consists of 20,425 acres of high rolling uplands which are the highest elevations in Wayne County. The soil is composed of a rich, sandy loam, and is very fertile. The Millet brothers: Andrew, John, Samuel and Daniel were the first settlers in Walworth.

The town of Williamson was formed in 1802. Williamson is one of the best agricultural towns in Wayne County. The growing of fruits and berries is the specialty. Produce includes many varieties of apples, pears, berries, and vegetables.

The town of Wolcott has a popultation just under 4,700 and its main industries are fruit farming and food processing. One of the landmarks of Wolcott is the statue of "Venus Rising From the Sea" at the four corners in downtown Wolcott. She is made of cast iron and is one of only eight in America. The statue arrived in September 1913.

Congresswoman Buerkle's district office staff host mobile constituent service units weekly throughout Wayne County. Futher details on this mobile units can be found here.