What is Chemung County known for?

Chemung is located in the Southern Tier of Central New York State. Because of its strategic location at the southern end of the Finger Lakes Region, Chemung County is known as the "Gateway to the Finger Lakes".

What does the word Chemung mean?

In the Delaware dialect of the Algonquin language, the word Chemung means "Place of the big horn". This harkens back to a time when Native Americans discovered large mammoth tusks along what is now the Chemung River.

What is the history of Chemung County NY?

History. Chemung County was created from Tioga County in 1836. European settlement began in 1784 when veterans of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign were the first to claim land grants in the area after the American Revolution.

Why is Elmira, NY famous?

Known as the "Soaring Capital of America," Elmira is home to the National Soaring Museum, which houses the largest exhibit of classic and contemporary sailplanes in the world. Located on Harris Hill, the soaring field at the museum is the location of national soaring contests and glider rides.

Why is Elmira called Zebra Town?

Between the Reformatory and the Civil War prison camp, Elmira got the name of “Zebra Town”, a town that corrections built.

Welcome to Chemung County!

What is the oldest town in upstate NY?

Albany is the oldest continuing settlement in the nation. The City of Albany still serves under its original charter, which dates back to July 22, 1686, and has been the capital of New York State since 1797.

What Native American tribes were in Chemung County?

Mainly the Seneca Tribe and perhaps the Cayuga too, along with the Delaware people. The area became known as the Iroquois Confederacy. They established a village in the vicinity of the current town with a large acreage of crops and orchards.

When was the Chemung Canal built?

The state government allocated $300,000 for the construction, which started in 1830 and was completed in 1833. Opening to full service was delayed because of damage from a rainstorm in May 1833. Damage by rain and seasonal flooding was a yearly problem during the use of the canal.

How many homeless are in Chemung County, NY?

In 2024, there were 1,638 distinct individuals who experienced homelessness and received services in Chemung County (331 individuals were under the age of 18).

Is upstate NY blue or red?

As a whole, upstate New York is roughly equally divided in federal elections between Democrats and Republicans.

Who is the senator for Chemung County NY?

Senator O'Mara is a native of Chemung County, born and raised in Horseheads. He and his wife Marilyn currently reside in Big Flats.

Why is Horseheads, NY named that?

Horseheads is a village in Chemung County, New York, United States. The population was 6,606 at the 2020 census. The name is derived from the number of bleached skulls of pack horses left behind by the Sullivan Expedition. The village of Horseheads is located within the town of Horseheads.

Where is the Chemung River?

The Chemung River originates at the confluence of the Cohocton and Tioga Rivers in Corning and flows through Steuben and Chemung Counties. The Chemung then flows into the State of Pennsylvania and is a western tributary of the Susquehanna River and eventually joins the Chesapeake Bay.

Why is Elmira named Elmira?

According to legend, Elmira is named after the tavern owner's daughter. Known as "The Queen City," Elmira was incorporated in 1864. By the late 19th century Elmira was a major transportation hub, connecting commercial centers in Rochester and Buffalo with Albany and New York City.

What is the sales tax in Chemung County, NY?

Chemung sales tax details

The minimum combined 2025 sales tax rate for Chemung, New York is 8.0%. This is the total of state, county, and city sales tax rates. The New York sales tax rate is currently 4.0%.

Is Waverly, NY in Chemung County?

The Village of Waverly is located in the southwestern corner of Tioga County and the Southern Tier region of New York State. The Chemung River skirts the western edge of Waverly and joins the Susquehanna River just south of the Village.

What region is Chemung County in?

Chemung County is located in the south central region of Upstate New York. It is part of the Southern Tier as well as the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. For more detailed information about Chemung County, you can click here.

What is the history of Chemung NY?

History. The region was destroyed by the Sullivan Expedition on August 13, 1779, which fought at the Battle of Newtown, just west of the current town of Chemung. The first clear record of settlement dates to about 1786. The town of Chemung was established in 1788 as the original town in the region.

What was the largest Native American tribe in New York?

With a proud and rich history, the Seneca were the largest of six Native American nations which comprised the Iroquois Confederacy or Six Nations, a democratic government that pre-dates the United States Constitution.

Who is indigenous to New York?

There are currently eight federally recognized Native Americans tribes in New York; the Cayuga Nation, Oneida Indian Nation, Onondaga Nation, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, Seneca Nation of New York, Shinnecock Indian Nation, Tonawanda Band of Seneca, and the Tuscarora Nation of New York.

What are people from Albany called?

Albanian: A Person from Albany, New York, Scotland, or Albania.

What is the oldest city in the United States?

Established in 1565 by Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-founded settlement in the continental United States. Its long history is evident in its historic architecture, cobblestone roads, and old landmarks.

What is the nickname of Albany NY?

Albany has many nicknames—called "Smallbany" for its size, "The 518" for its area code, Cradle of Union for its Civil War history, and sometimes Tech Valley for its work in the tech industry.