Avon, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Avon, New York
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| Nickname(s):
Corn Village
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 Avon, New York
Location in New York
Avon, New York
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Livingston |
| Settled | 1769 |
| Established | 1797 |
| Renamed | 1808 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Town Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.26 sq mi (106.86 km2) |
| • Land | 41.20 sq mi (106.72 km2) |
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.14 km2) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 7,164 |
| • Estimate
(2016)
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6,964 |
| • Density | 169.02/sq mi (65.26/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| FIPS code | 36-051-03364 |
Avon is a town in Livingston County, New York, United States. It is located just south of Rochester. In 2010, about 7,146 people lived here.
The town was named after Avon, Connecticut, which is a town in Hartford County. A smaller area called the village of Avon is found in the northwest part of the town.
Contents
A Look Back: Avon's History
The land where Avon is today was home to Native American groups for thousands of years. First, there were Paleo-Indians, and later, the Seneca, who were part of the powerful Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) nation.
Early Settlement and Name Changes
In 1788, the Iroquois' ownership of the land ended with something called the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. After this, white and Black settlers began to move into the area. In 1789, a group from Hartford, Connecticut, bought land east of the Genesee River. They named their new settlement "Hartford" after their old home.
The town was officially set up in 1797. But in 1808, its name was changed to "Avon." This was to avoid confusion with another town named Hartford in Washington County, New York. Later, in 1818, a part of Avon was used to create the new town of Rush. The county lines also changed, and Avon became part of Livingston County in 1821.
First Businesses and Growth
The first permanent white settlers in Avon village were Gilbert and Maria Berry in 1789. They ran a tavern (an inn) and a rope ferry on the Genesee River. Maria continued the inn after Gilbert passed away in 1797.
The town's first gristmill (for grinding grain) was built in 1789 by Captain John Ganson. A sawmill (for cutting wood) was built in 1797 by Dr. Hosmer.
The Era of Mineral Springs
In the 1820s, people became very interested in mineral springs. They believed the special water could help with many health problems. Avon had many natural springs, so it became a very popular place for people seeking cures or just a relaxing vacation.
Many hotels and spas were built to welcome visitors. Companies even bottled the mineral water to sell. However, by the late 1800s and early 1900s, the popularity of spas declined. Most of the hotels either closed or were destroyed by fire. The Avon Inn is the only spa building from that time that is still standing today.
Historic Places to See
Avon has several interesting historic spots:
- The Avon Five Arch Bridge: This is part of an old railroad bridge over the Conesus Outlet. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.
- The Avon Inn: This historic building was added to the National Register in 1991.
- The Avon Erie Railroad Station: This old train station is now a restaurant.
- The Barber–Mulligan Farm: This farm was added to the National Register in 1980.
- Charlton Farm: This was once a home designed by J. Foster Warner and is now a bed and breakfast.
- Erie-Lackawanna Railroad bridge: This bridge crosses the Genesee River and connects to the Genesee Valley Greenway, which is a walking and biking trail.
- First Presbyterian Church of Avon: Built in 1812, this church was added to the National Register in 2005.
- Tom Wahl's: This popular fast food restaurant chain started in Avon as a small ice cream shop.
Geography of Avon
Avon covers about 41.26 square miles (106.9 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.
Location and Rivers
The northern border of Avon touches Monroe County. The Genesee River forms the western border of the town and flows north past Avon village. Conesus Creek, which flows from Conesus Lake, joins the Genesee River west of Avon village.
Major Roads
Several important roads run through Avon:
- U.S. Route 20 and New York State Route 5 are east-west highways. They meet New York State Route 39 in Avon village.
- New York State Route 15 is another major road in the eastern part of the town, running north and south.
- Interstate 390 is a highway that connects Avon to areas both north and south.
Neighboring Towns
Avon is surrounded by these towns:
- To the north: Rush
- To the east: Lima and Honeoye Falls
- To the south: Livonia and Geneseo
- To the west: York and Caledonia
People of Avon
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1820 | 1,933 | — | |
| 1830 | 2,362 | 22.2% | |
| 1840 | 2,999 | 27.0% | |
| 1850 | 2,809 | −6.3% | |
| 1860 | 2,910 | 3.6% | |
| 1870 | 3,038 | 4.4% | |
| 1880 | 3,459 | 13.9% | |
| 1890 | 3,179 | −8.1% | |
| 1900 | 3,071 | −3.4% | |
| 1910 | 3,432 | 11.8% | |
| 1920 | 3,350 | −2.4% | |
| 1930 | 3,566 | 6.4% | |
| 1940 | 3,509 | −1.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,725 | 6.2% | |
| 1960 | 4,404 | 18.2% | |
| 1970 | 6,117 | 38.9% | |
| 1980 | 6,185 | 1.1% | |
| 1990 | 6,283 | 1.6% | |
| 2000 | 6,443 | 2.5% | |
| 2010 | 7,164 | 11.2% | |
| 2018 (est.) | 6,828 | −4.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 6,443 people living in Avon. The population density was about 156.5 people per square mile. Most residents were White (95.87%), with smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and other races. About 1.38% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Avon was 38 years old. About 26.2% of the population was under 18 years old.
Communities and Areas in Avon
The town of Avon includes several smaller communities:
- Ashantee – A small community just south of Avon village on NY-39.
- Avon – The main village in the northwest part of the town.
- East Avon – A community in the eastern part of the town where NY-5, NY-15, and US-20 meet. The First Presbyterian Church of Avon is located here.
- Littleville – A community south of Avon village, next to Ashantee.
- North Avon – A community in the northeast corner of the town.
- South Avon – A community south of Avon village on NY-39.
- South Lima – Part of this community is in the southeast corner of the town.
- Sugarberry – An old community in the southwestern part of the town.
Famous People from Avon
- John Hubbard Forsyth (1797–1836), a defender of the Alamo.
- Jocko Halligan (1868–1945), a professional baseball player.
- William Howe Cuyler Hosmer (1814–1877), a well-known poet born in Avon.
- Jimmie Keenan (1899–1980), a professional baseball player.
- Wilbur Murdoch (1875–1941), a professional baseball player.
- Julia Ann Wilbur (1815–1895), an important person in the movement to end slavery and gain voting rights for women.
- Ken O'Dea (1913–1985), a professional baseball player.
- Leather Leone, a heavy metal musician.
See also
In Spanish: Avon (Nueva York) para niños
