LeRoy in Genesee County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Jell-O Factory

Photographed by Pamela Scott, April 2, 2011

1. First Jell-O Factory Marker

Inscription. In 1897, Pearle Bixby Wait of Leroy, introduced a gelatin dessert that his wife, May, named Jell-O. The first four flavors were strawberry, raspberry, orange and lemon. In 1899, he began production of Jell-O in a factory building located near this site. On September 9, 1899, he sold the rights to Jell-O to the Genesee Pure Food Company of Leroy for $450.

Erected 1997 by LeRoy Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1860.

Location. 42° 59.141′ N, 77° 59.498′ W. Marker is in LeRoy, New York, in Genesee County. It is on Lake Street (New York State Route 19) 0.2 miles north of Mills Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 Lake Street, Le Roy NY 14482, 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 the North Atlantic Region,

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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 walking distance of this marker: The Jell-O Company (approx. 0.4 miles away); Machpelah Cemetery (approx. 0.4 miles away); LeRoy Downtown Historic District (approx. half a mile away); Le Roy Post Office (approx. 0.6 miles away); Women’s Suffrage (approx. 0.6 miles away); Anti-Slavery Meetings (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Steeple / The Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Keeney House (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in LeRoy.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Herman Le Roy's Mill (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. The History of the Wiggle. Jell-O History (Submitted on April 10, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

2. The Jell-O Gallery. Le Roy Historical Society, Inc. (Submitted on April 10, 2011, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.)

Wide view of 1st Jell-O Factory Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Pamela Scott, April 2, 2011

2. Wide view of 1st Jell-O Factory Marker

First Jell-O Factory Marker wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mira Earls, May 30, 2026

3. First Jell-O Factory Marker wide view

First Jell-O Factory Marker view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mira Earls, May 30, 2026

4. First Jell-O Factory Marker view

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2011, by Pamela Scott of Brockport, New York. This page has been viewed 1,801 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 8, 2011, by Pamela Scott of Brockport, New York. 3, 4. submitted on June 13, 2026, by Mira Earls of Cortland, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.