Erwin Area History with links to Coopers Plains, Painted Post, and Gang Mills history
During the Colonial period (1700's), the valleys of the Chemung River tributaries comprised the domain of the Seneca's. This unit of the Iroquois Confederacy was called the door of the Six Nations through which passed all communications.This was a central crossing of the principle Indian trails as well as a resting place and rendezvous for Indians traveling north, south, east and west. Indian houses were located near the river, fields were cultivated and a huge post was set in an open space and said to be representing an enemy. Festivities and dances were held around this post and huge fires were built. Eventually, the border wars brought the white man into this region.
In 1793 the town was organized and named Painted Post. This town was made up of the Towns Hornby, Campbell, Erwin, Lindley, Corning and Caton. After a time each town was separated from Painted Post and organized as a separate political entity with an individual name.
Erwin was a wealthy Irish immigrant, had served in the American army during the Revolution, and owned other lands as well. Colonel Erwin was shot by a "squatter" over a land and crop dispute while visiting in PA. No one was ever charged with the murder. As a result, Colonel Erwin never lived in the Town of Erwin.
Two towns, Erwin and Lindley were broken into small lots resulting in large scale lumber mills here. These large mills eventually led to the development of industry in the area.
As the area grew, products became marketable but there was no way to get them to the bigger cities. Then in about 1798-1800 it was discovered that the streams were navigable at certain times of the year and this led to the manufacturing and marketing of lumber, agricultural products, new grist mills, etc.
In 1824 an Indian warrior carved of sheet iron by John Wygant, a blacksmith, was placed atop a 30' shaft as a weathervane. It is now located in the Erwin Museum in Painted Post and is considered to be a fine example of folk art.
The first permanent Erwin settlement came around 1786. The Town of Erwin was formed from the former "Town of Painted Post" (now Town of Corning) in 1826. Erwin was reduced to form the Town of Lindley (1837), but was increased by a part of the Town of Corning in 1856. The Town of Erwin encompasses the Village of Painted Post. The Town is host to a variety of industry, commercial and residential developments, including two Fortune 500 companies, over 50 stores, and an 8 screen movie theater. The industrial park and the commercial/residential center of the Town are served by modern municipal sewer and water.
The Town of Erwin gained fame as a lumber district. The Erie Canal was complete but no way to get product to the head of Seneca Lake. The Chemung Canal came into being in 1829. Products were then shipped from Corning to Elmira via the Feeder Canal and hence to Seneca Lake via the Chemung Canal.
1838 - General F. E. Erwin was elected supervisor of this town substantially as it exists today.
After the 1972 Agnes Flood which devastated much of the Town of Erwin and the Village of Painted Post, the area was rebuilt and has grown to be a very prosperous and progressive community. New businesses are encouraged and are guided by our Community Development group and our local government.
In 2021, Erwin has good schools, housing, senior housing, parks, recreational facilities, shops, churches, utilities, and still attempts to maintain a sub-urban setting. Erwin has a State Forest area, good restaurants, motels, and is located in the heart of the Southern Tier tourist region
Communities and locations in the Town of Erwin
- Coopers Plains – A hamlet in the northern part of the town.
- Corning-Painted Post Airport (7N1) A small airport west of Painted Post.
- Erwin Wildlife Management Area – A conservation area in the northwest part of the town.
- Erwins – A hamlet in the eastern part of the town on NY-417.
- Gang Mills – A hamlet southwest of the City of Corning, New York on US Route 15.
- Painted Post – The Village of Painted Post on NY-415.
Note: Even though Coopers Plains, Gang Mills, and Painted Post are listed and included in the communities and locations in the Town of Erwin, Rhsaas-org's history and image section is listing them separately. A link to such information will be provided on thi page so you can view such information. The information will be displayed in a new tab or popup window depending on how you have your browser settings.
Source:
ErwinNY.org [history of Erwin]
Wikipedia.org [History of Erwin]
Also view:
- CoopersPlains.html [Area and School History]
- PaintedPost.html [Area and School History]
- GangMills.html [Area and School History]
Erwin School History [Current]
Calvin U. Smith Elementary School
Erwin Valley Elementary School
Frederick Carder Elementary School
The majority of the Town is in the Corning-Painted Post School District.