Westernville, New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Westernville
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Hamlet and census-designated place
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 Westernville
Location in New York
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| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Oneida |
| Elevation | 561 ft (171 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 315 |
| GNIS feature ID | 970916 |
Westernville, New York, is a small community called a hamlet. It is located in Oneida County. Westernville is west of Adirondack Park and north of the cities of Rome and Utica. It sits right next to Delta Reservoir and Delta Lake State Park.
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History of Westernville
The area around Westernville is part of the Town of Western. This town was created on March 10, 1797, from the Town of Steuben. It has about 40,000 acres of good soil. There is also plenty of water from rivers and streams like the Mohawk River.
Famous People from Westernville
- Gen. Henry Halleck was born here. He was a very important general during the American Civil War. He even served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Union Armies for a time.
- Richie Evans, a famous race car driver, was also born in Westernville. He won the National NASCAR Modified Championship many times. He was even put into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.
Historic Homes and Heritage Days
Gustavus Swan lived in Westernville. He worked closely with Samuel F. B. Morse, who invented the first telegraph system. Swan helped build telegraph lines across New York State. His home, the Swan Homestead, is still on Main Street.
You can take a walking tour of about 18 historic homes along Main Street. A guide for this tour is available from the Westernville Historical Society. You can also get it from the Swan Home Bed and Breakfast or the Town Hall.
Every year, Westernville holds "Heritage Days." This is a special three-day celebration on Main Street. It honors important people from the past. The weekend includes historical re-enactments and displays. There are also craftspeople, cooking demonstrations, and musical events. The celebration ends with fireworks.
Notable Burials
Several important people are buried in Westernville:
- Gen. William Floyd was a famous soldier from the Revolutionary War. He was also one of the people who signed the Declaration of Independence.
- Admiral Montgomery Sicard was a naval officer known for his service during the Civil War.
- Gustavus Swan, who helped with the telegraph, is also buried here.
- Richie Evans, the NASCAR champion, is buried here too.
2021 Tornado Event
On July 8, 2021, an EF-1 tornado hit Westernville. The National Weather Service confirmed it. An EF-1 tornado has wind speeds between 86 and 110 miles per hour.
The tornado started at 7:30 pm in the Woods Valley Ski Area. It moved northeast towards downtown Westernville. It caused a lot of damage along Main Street. Several roofs were blown off houses. Many trees were pulled up or broken.
The tornado then crossed the Mohawk River. It caused damage to crops and tore a roof off a barn. After that, it lifted and disappeared.
Westernville Today
Westernville has an active senior citizens group. They meet every month for different activities. The Western Town Library offers programs for both children and adults. The historical society also hosts talks and events for everyone in the community.
There are two churches in Westernville. The United Methodist Church is on Main Street. The First Presbyterian Church is on Stokes-Westernville Road. North Western, a nearby area, has one church, the United Methodist Church on Route 46.
The town also has local businesses. These include The Swan Home Bed and Breakfast and the Woods Valley Ski Area.
Gen. William Floyd's Home
Westernville is where Gen. William Floyd had his second home. He is also buried here. Every year, Dr. Russell Marriot, who lives in the home now, helps hold a town ceremony. This event honors Gen. William Floyd.
The Gen. William Floyd House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971. This means it is a historically important building. The Western Town Hall was also added to the list in 1995.
Education in Westernville
Students in Westernville attend schools in the Rome City School District. This district operates Rome Free Academy, which is the local high school.
