Port Byron, New York facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Port Byron, New York
Village
Port Byron, New York Location in New York
Country	United States
State	New York
County	Cayuga
Town	Mentz
Area
• Total	0.94 sq mi (2.43 km2)
• Land	0.91 sq mi (2.36 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2)
Elevation	407 ft (124 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	1,101
• Density	1,207.24/sq mi (466.17/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	13140
Area code(s)	315
FIPS code	36-59212
GNIS feature ID	0960960

Port Byron is a small village in Cayuga County, New York, United States. In 2020, about 1,101 people lived there. It is located in the town of Mentz, just north of Auburn.

A Look at Port Byron's Past

People started settling in the area around 1797. The village had a few different names before it became Port Byron. First, it was called "King's Settlement," then "Bucksville."

How Port Byron Got Its Name

In 1825, the village became an important stop on the Erie Canal. Because it was a busy port, its name was changed to Port Byron. Some people think the new name might have been inspired by Lord Byron, a famous English poet who had died the year before. However, there's no definite proof of this.

From Canal Port to Railroad Town

When the Erie Canal's path changed in 1856, Port Byron became a railroad town instead of a canal port. The village officially became a village in 1837.

Historic Landmarks

The Erie Canal Lock 52 Complex is a special historical site in Port Byron. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. This means it's an important place to protect and remember. The New York Central Railroad even named one of its sleeper cars after the town!

Famous People from Port Byron

Many interesting people have lived in or had connections to Port Byron over the years.

• Brigham Young: Before he became a leader of the Mormon faith, Brigham Young lived here in the early 1830s. He worked as a painter and builder. One of the old buildings he lived in can still be seen on Pine Street.
• Henry Wells: He was one of the founders of "Wells and Fargo," a famous company. He also lived in Port Byron in the early 1830s.
• Isaac Singer: Known for his sewing machines, Isaac Singer was in Port Byron in 1837. Back then, he was more famous for his acting skills than for his inventions!
• Byron Pickett: This talented sculptor lived here in the 1840s. His family is buried in the local cemetery.
• Clara Barrus: She trained to be a doctor in Boston. Clara Barrus is best known for helping and writing about the famous naturalist John Burroughs. She also wrote a book about her own childhood, called A Life Unveiled.
• Kittie Rhoades: This actress grew up in Port Byron and had a summer home nearby. She is buried in the local cemetery.
• Richard Bonelli: A well-known opera singer, Richard Bonelli was born here. His birth name was Jacob Bunn.
• Dr. Francis Eugene Nipher: This physicist was a professor at Washington University in St. Louis. He was famous for his early work on how electrical charges affect forces.
• Mel Hall: He played baseball in Port Byron before starting his career in Major League Baseball (MLB). The Cubs drafted him in 1978.
• Edward G. Delaney: An aerospace scientist and engineer, he worked on important space programs like Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He is a member of the Port Byron High School Hall of Fame.
• Mark Jindrak: He also graduated from Port Byron High School.

Port Byron's Location and Landscape

Port Byron is located at 43°2′N 76°38′W / 43.033°N 76.633°W / 43.033; -76.633. The village covers about 2.61 square kilometers (1.01 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Roads and Rivers

The village is where two main roads, Route 31 and Route 38, meet. The New York State Thruway (a major highway) passes through the northwest part of the village, but there isn't a direct exit there.

The Owasco Outlet river flows through Port Byron. This river connects Owasco Lake to the Seneca River. In the early days of the village, the river's strong current provided a lot of power for local businesses.

Population Over Time

In 2000, there were 1,297 people living in Port Byron. About 32.1% of the homes had children under 18. The average age of people in the village was 38 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Port Byron (Nueva York) para niños