Medina, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Medina
Village
Main and Center Street junction
Location in Orleans County and the state of New York.
Location of New York in the United States
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Orleans
Settled	1817
Incorporated	1832
Government
• Type	Empire
Area
• Total	3.38 sq mi (8.74 km2)
• Land	3.30 sq mi (8.54 km2)
• Water	0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2)
Elevation	525 ft (160 m)
Highest elevation (S border of village near SW corner along NY 31)	590 ft (180 m)
Lowest elevation (Glenwood Lake)	453 ft (138 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	6,065
• Estimate  (2019)	5,656
• Density	1,714.46/sq mi (662.00/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	14103
Area code(s)	585
FIPS code	36-46415
GNIS feature ID	0956905
Wikimedia Commons	Medina, New York
Website	www.VillageMedina.org

Medina is a village in the Towns of Shelby and Ridgeway in Orleans County, New York, United States. The population was 6,065 at the 2010 census, making it the county's most populous municipality. The village was named by its surveyor, Ebenezer Mix. It is part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Medina zip code, 14103, encompasses the village of Medina and the surrounding towns of Ridgeway and Shelby. The United States Census Bureau estimates the 2017 population of this area to be 17,234.

The village developed after construction of the Erie Canal, which bends as it passes through the village, creating a basin that served as a stopover point. This became the center of businesses that served trade and passenger traffic on canal boats. In addition, mills were constructed on Oak Orchard Creek to take advantage of its water power. The fertile lands around the village yielded fruit which was exported to major markets of New York City and west via the canal. At the start of the 20th century, Medina was a thriving industrial town.

Medina is located about an hour drive from two major cities, Rochester and Buffalo. It is also about 30 minutes from two small cities, Batavia and Lockport.

History

Joseph Ellicott, the agent of the Holland Land Company, once owned land that encompassed part of the village.

Prosperity began around 1825 when the Erie Canal opened passing through Medina.

The Village of Medina was incorporated in 1832, creating an entity contained within the two towns.

Although the village board has begun merging functions, Medina has determined to remain an incorporated village.

The Main Street Historic District, Medina Armory, and United States Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Payjack Chevrolet Building was added in 2012 and the Boxwood Cemetery in 2015.

Geography

Medina is located at 43°13′11″N 78°23′24″W / 43.21972°N 78.39000°W / 43.21972; -78.39000 (43.219808, -78.390101).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²), of which 3.3 square miles (8.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (2.39%) is water.

Medina lies at the junction of east-west highway NYS Route 31 and north-south highway NYS Route 63. In addition, Medina marks the location where NYS Route 31E and NYS Route 31A split off from NY-31.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,415 people, 2,567 households, and 1,576 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,962.1 people per square mile (757.4/km²). There were 2,796 housing units at an average density of 855.2 per square mile (330.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 87.89% White, 7.56% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.62% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.

There were 2,567 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,300, and the median income for a family was $37,857. Males had a median income of $31,857 versus $21,633 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,138. About 13.0% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Over the years Medina has been home to many different populations. St. John's Episcopal Church was the first church in Medina, consecrated in 1828. In the following decade, the First United Presbyterian, First Baptist, United Methodist, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Churches were built. German immigrants started arriving in the 1880s and 1890s and built Trinity Evangelical Lutheran and St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran.

At the turn of the century, the Polish community had grown so large that they built Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church in 1910. In 1930, the African American community built Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church. Grace Baptist Church, an offshoot from another local Baptist church in Shelby, was built next.

More recently the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fountain of Love, the Islamic Center, Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, Grace Covenant, Holiness Pentecostal, and Morning Star of God in Christ have opened. The Church of God Pentecostal purchased the former United Methodist Church in 2016. In 2017, the Akron Free Methodist Church leased the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church and began having services. Of the 15+ churches and religious institutions that have operated in Medina, 11 are still in the village.

Medina is featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not for St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the "Church in the Middle of the Road".

"Church In The Middle of the Street" made of Medina Sandstone

Additional facts

"Church In The Middle of the Street" made of Medina Sandstone

Medina is known for its "Medina sandstone" a brown stone used widely in buildings in the region.

In May 2006, New York Governor George Pataki announced the construction of the first ethanol plant in the Northeastern United States. The plant began receiving deliveries of corn in October 2007 and was expected to start production in November 2007. Partial production began shortly thereafter and full production was announced by GreenShift Corporation on February 25, 2008. Since that time, the Western New York Energy, LLC plant has been in production processing significant portions of the local corn crop.

Medina is in Ripley's Believe it or Not for St. John's Episcopal Church which is the "Church in the Middle of the Road" and the Culvert, which is the only place in which a road passes under the Erie Canal.

Medina is home to the Medina Railroad Museum, one of the largest railroad and toy train museums in New York.

One of the oldest homes in Medina existed at 224 Eagle Street, a block from the Erie canal, on the north side of town. This home was built in the early 1820s and was purchased by the Burnam family in the 1830s. It stayed in the family's possession until around 1984. The house was torn down in 2012.

Economy

Medina is home to several international, national, and local businesses. Medina is also becoming a tourist attraction because of its historic downtown and location on the Niagara Wine Trail.

Business

Here is a listing of some of the larger businesses in the area.

• Baxter International- Baxter has one of their many facilities located in Medina. They manufacture a multitude of products for the healthcare industry, including IV infusion pumps and pharmacy automation.
• Velocitii, who specialize in business process outsourcing, opened in 2014. Their 20,000 square foot customer engagement center employs agents able to assist companies both domestic and international with sales, back-office, and customer support. Currently, Velocitii employs over 50 full-time employees across various industries including insurance, healthcare and medical, as well as software and technology.
• Brunner International- Brunner International is a family owned business located in Medina since 1992. A second facility is located in Niagara Falls, NY. They produce parts for commercial vehicles, buses, and trailers.
• Hinspergers Poly Industries- Hinspergers produces protective polyethylene covers.
• Pride Pak Canada- Pride Pak Canada opened a facility in Medina in 2016. They package salads and fresh-cut vegetables.
• Takeform- Takeform, a signage company, is headquartered in Medina. They have won numerous awards in their field and own multiple patents.
• Western New York Energy- In May 2006, New York Governor George Pataki announced the construction in Medina of the first ethanol plant in the Northeastern United States. The plant began receiving deliveries of corn in October 2007 and was expected to start production in November 2007. Partial production began shortly thereafter, and full production was announced by GreenShift Corporation on February 25, 2008. Since that time, the Western New York Energy, LLC plant has been in production, processing significant portions of the local corn crop.

Tourism

Medina is starting to grow as a popular tourist spot, appearing in several blogs and papers. The events, restaurants, and atmosphere of this small village have wide-ranging appeal.

Arts and entertainment

There are several cultural and educational opportunities in Medina. If you're more adventurous get locked in a room at Into the Enigma; you only have 1 hour to solve the puzzles and escape. 810 Axes is located behind the Meadery if you want to try your hand at axe throwing. You can also visit the Medina Railroad Museum, one of the largest railroad and toy train museums in the state of New York. Ripley's Believe It or Not notes "the Culvert", as the only place where the Erie Canal passes over an operating road.

Behind the historic downtown buildings, new modern art and murals can be seen. The mural project was an initiative of the non-profit Form Foundation. The first to be painted has been dubbed the 'Canalligator' and was painted in July 2020. The first mural was followed by geometric characters in September, a traveler with his dog and cat in October, and a mural of local pollinator flowers in November. All four murals can be seen behind buildings on the NW side of Main St.

Bars and restaurants

Medina has a variety of bars and restaurants to enjoy. 810 Meadworks is the first meadery in western New York. Zambistro is a locally owned fine dining restaurant and caterer which opened in 2006. Harvest at Bent's is the newest fine dining option in Medina, where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal through the open kitchen. Fitzgibbons Public House is a casual pub with Irish food. Mariachi de Oro serves authentic Mexican food and has been well reviewed in WNY. The Shirt Factory is a coffee shop and café during the day and a cocktail bar in the evenings. Medina also offers a variety of pizza shops, diners, and fast food options.

Medina has two stops on the Niagara Wine Trail, 810 Meadworks and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery. Leonard Oakes Winery has won multiple awards for their wines, including best ice wine in New York.

Where to Stay

Medina has several options when you come to visit. The Bunkhaus Hostel offers 3 private bedrooms with a shared kitchen and living room. The Hart House Hotel is a European style boutique hotel with seven themed rooms, located in the historic Newell Shirt Factory building. Bent's Opera House has 10 themed rooms available to rent. Comfort Inn and Suites opened a 58 room hotel in 2022.

Historic Downtown

Medina's downtown area has been designated a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bent's Opera House is included in this district, a historic venue for touring performers.

Education

Medina has two K-12 schools, the Medina Central School District and the Orleans County Christian School. The Medina Central School District is composed of Oak Orchard Primary, Clifford Wise Intermediate and the Medina High School. All three buildings are located on the same campus. The Orleans County Christian School is a non-denominational, multi-church sponsored school.

A branch campus of Genesee Community College is also located in Medina.

Medina has one public library which serves the community, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

Notable people

• John J. Bagley, former Governor of Michigan, was born and raised in Medina
• Julie Berry (author), children's author
• Kate Messner, children's author
• Silas M. Burroughs, was a former US Congressman who lived in Medina.
• Silas M. Burroughs, son of the former Congressman, was born in Medina and became a notable pharmacist.
• Frances Folsom Cleveland Preston, former First Lady, attended high school in Medina before marrying Grover Cleveland.
• Carl Fischer, former MLB player
• John E. Butts, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Co. E, 60th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, was awarded the Medal of Honor in WWII
• John Ford, New York State Senator
• George Kennan, author, lecturer and traveler
• Craig Wilson, USA Today columnist

See also

In Spanish: Medina (Nueva York) para niños