Orleans in Phelps in Ontario County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Orleans

Photographed by James Turcotte, November 21, 2025

1. Orleans Marker

Inscription. Originally nicknamed "Hardscrabble" because of the difficulties of travelers scaling the steep hills surrounding the settlement, this hamlet was renamed "Orleans" after General Andrew Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Early families that settled this area included the Wheats, Warners, Rices, Baggerleys and Whitneys. the Sodus Point & Southern Railroads Line (later Operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad) was constructed through here in 1876. By the late 1800s, Orleans was a spirited community and a bustling industrial and commerce center. A disastrous fire on April 17, 1910 destroyed 21 buildings, including seven homes, the Baptist Church, town hall, apple evaporator, schoolhouse and a full coal shed. Additional tragedy struck on May 14, 1964 when two Pennsylvania Railroad diesel freight trains collided head-on approximately 3/4 mile south of this point killing three.

Erected 2025 by Town of Phelps.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 42° 55.073′ N,

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77° 6.776′ W. Marker is in Phelps, New York, in Ontario County. It is in Orleans. It is at the intersection of Waddell Road and County Road 23 (County Road 23), on the left when traveling south on Waddell Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Phelps NY 14532, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

in the Finger Lakes,

and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named Orleans (here, next to this marker); Melvin Hill (approx. 2½ miles away); Melvin Hill Baptist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Whitney Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.9 miles away); Clifton Springs Veterans Memorial

Photographed by James Turcotte, November 21, 2025

2. Orleans Marker

(approx. 3.2 miles away); Former Railbed (approx. 3.2 miles away); Ginkgo Grove (approx. 3.2 miles away); Dr. Henry Foster (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Phelps.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2025, by James Turcotte of Phelps, New York. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 21, 2025, by James Turcotte of Phelps, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.