Wolcott in Wayne County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Wolcott Falls

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

1. Wolcott Falls Marker

Inscription.
Wolcott Falls
Called by Indians
"Ganadasgua", Leaping
Waters Above the Lake.
Site of Melvin's Mills
established 1809

Erected 1936 by New York State Education Department.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1809.

Location. 43° 13.287′ N, 76° 48.685′ W. Marker is in Wolcott, New York, in Wayne County. Marker is on Mill Street, 0.1 miles west of Cemetery Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at the east end, north side, of the short bridge over Wolcott Creek. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wolcott NY 14590, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Northup Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); In Memory, World Wars 1 - 2 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roe Cobblestone Schoolhouse (approx. 2.3 miles away); First Meeting (approx. 2.6 miles away); First Zion Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 4.2 miles away); Sarah Mills (approx. 4.4 miles away); First Log Cabin (approx. 4.7 miles away); A Memorial to Our Men Who Answered our County's Call (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wolcott.

Regarding Wolcott Falls.

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Text on Kiosk:
Cayuga Indians. Long before Wolcott was settled it was a wilderness of trees and swamps. Deer and bear were plentiful in the area along with fish, berries, herbs, and willow for baskets.
The Indians set up summer camps to dry the fish, meats, fruits and make baskets. Come fall they took all they had gathered and went back to their winter grounds in and around the Finger Lakes. Many arrowheads have been found in this area.

House being moved 2003. For story of house being moved go to museum. Museum on 5994 Jefferson Street. Displays inside of museum. Hours: Winter; Saturday only 10-2. Summer; Wednesday & Saturday 10-2. Or by appointment call 315-594-9494, leave message. 5994 Jefferson Street. [See link for correct website]

Harden's Mill. As history tells us circa 1807, Jonathan Melvin journeyed to the area known today as Wolcott. He came to inspect the falls. He liked and purchases through the Pultney Estate, Williamson's Patent, lot #50, 500 wilderness acres, at a reduced rate, on the condition that he build a sawmill and a gristmill. The sawmill was placed on the north side of the falls and the grist mill on the south side. The area became known as Melvin's Mill. Mr. Melvin had three log cabins built for his workers. One was where the present NAPA stands, one where the entrance to the north parking lot behind the stores

Eastward on Mill Street, Across Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

2. Eastward on Mill Street, Across Bridge

is today, and the third stood on the hill east of the mills. Melvin built his own cabin approximately where Lake Avenue and Wright Street meet. These mills became gathering places for the people who started coming to the area.
The Mill changed hands a few times over the years. In 1945 George Harnden turned the mill over to his son, Alvis. It was shut down in 1960 for financial reasons.
Not only did the mill make flour, but also chicken and cattle feed.
In 1969 children set the mill on fire. There is a bit of the foundation and part of the flume still visible.
We were unable to find any information or pictures of the sawmill.
For more information, please [go to the museum].

Text of plaque on kiosk:
The History of Wolcott Falls and the Village of Wolcott
The village of Wolcott was first settled in 1806 by Jonathan Melvin Sr., who moved here from the township of Phelps, Ontario County, New York. He bought 500 acres of land that primarily encompassed the area of the present village. The best reason for purchasing the land in this particular area was the falls that would be necessary for the mills. This in turn would bring more business and new settlers to the area.

In 1809 Mr. Melvin built the first sawmill and gristmill, located by the falls. Later in 1812, Melvin sold the mills to Mr. Obadiah Adams, a land surveyor who came to the area

Westward on Mill Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

3. Westward on Mill Street

in 1810. According to Wolcott New York, Old and New, the sale price for both mills was $10,000. The first town meeting was held at Melvin's Mill on April 3, 1810. Obadiah Adams and two other gentlemen were chosen as assessors. Osgood Church was selected as the first town supervisor.

Melvin built a log house at the present intersection of Wright Street and Lake Avenue. In 1813 he built a two-story house at the opposite end of Wright Street on the corner of West Main Street. Melvin painted his house black and henceforth it was known as the "Black House". It was moved to Smith Street in 1878 where it remains today, however it is no longer black. Mr. Melvin was a generous man who donated land on the Southwest corner of Main Street and New Hartford Street for a school or a church of any denomination. The Baptist Church sits on that site today.

Adams built the first tavern in Wolcott on the site of the present Wolcott Hotel. He later bought and moved a small building, attaching it to the tavern. This was used as the first store for Wolcott. Adams was the first merchant and landlord in the village. He also erected a kiln for drying corn. Adams became involved in more ventures requiring considerable amounts of money. In today's terminology, we might say that he 'overextended' himself, eventually losing everything and died in Rochester, a poor man.

Another entrepreneur

Mill Pond Sign and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

4. Mill Pond Sign and Marker

Wolcott Creek on the north side of the bridge (right) spills from the mill pond on the south side of the bridge (left).

in the early history of the village of Wolcott was Osgood Church, Mr Adams' brother-in-law. He was the first town supervisor. he arrived in town in the spring of 1808 and bought a parcel of land west of the village of Wolcott, where Duane Cahoon and his family reside. He was active in helping settle the area and thus helped the prosperity of Wolcott. He died in 1815 from consumption and was buried where the Episcopal Church is located. His remains were moved to the family cemetery of Obadiah Adams when the church was erected. However, the Adams' family plot was to the south of the tavern, which is now the village parking lot. Again his remains were moved and his grave is now located in the cemetery on Lake Avenue.

There are many stories about the men who came to this area, but room does not allow for them here. Most of the settlers who came to the area were from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Our village gets its name from Oliver Wolcott, a Governor of Connecticut.

Plaque donated by AKS Jeweltry's Mad Dog Printing division, corner of Main St. & Lake Ave, in Wolcott's Historic District.

Also see . . . Wolcott Historical Society. Society website homepage (Submitted on December 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Wolcott Falls Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

5. Wolcott Falls Kiosk

This kiosk is at a falls viewing platform at the opposite side of the waterway from the marker.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

6. Kiosk Text

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

7. Kiosk Text

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

8. Kiosk Text

Plaque on Kiosk image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

9. Plaque on Kiosk

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

10. Mill Pond

Wolcott Falls and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

11. Wolcott Falls and Marker

Wolcott Falls image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

12. Wolcott Falls

Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, November 7, 2014

13. Wolcott Falls

Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on January 6, 2015, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on December 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.