Fancher, New York facts for kids
Fancher is a small community, also known as a hamlet, located in the town of Murray in Orleans County, New York. It's a place with an interesting history, especially connected to a special type of stone! The ZIP Code for Fancher is 14452.
Discovering Fancher
The Story Behind the Name
Fancher was named after a man named Edward Fernando Fancher. He was born in Durham, which is in Greene County, New York. Edward Fancher was a minister and a farmer. He lived in a few different places in New York, like Carlton and Gaines, before settling down in Murray.
The Famous Medina Sandstone
Edward Fancher became very important in the stone business. In 1887, he teamed up with Charles F. Gwynne to quarry, or dig up, a special kind of stone called Medina Sandstone. This stone is known for its beautiful color and strength.
The very next year, in 1888, Edward Fancher opened his own quarry. He bought land near Hulberton to start his stone-digging operation.
How Fancher Grew
A post office was later set up in the area. Because so much sandstone was shipped from this location, the small settlement was named in Fancher's honor. The stone was moved using the Erie Canal and the New York Central Railroad. These were very important ways to transport goods back then.
Edward Fancher was a big name in the stone industry. He was the general manager of the Orleans County Quarry Company. He was also one of the most well-known quarry owners in all of Orleans County.
