Town of Williamson Democratic Committee
Wayne County, New York
Williamson Democratic Committee Chair: Lenore Youngman
Box 315 Williamson, NY 14589
email
Williamson is an upstate New York town located in the northwest part of
Wayne County, New York on the south shore of Lake Ontario.
The land which present day Williamson rests was part of the Phelps Gorham Purchase, a 6,000,000 acre tract of land sold to Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1788.
Williamson was created from its eastern neighbor, the town of Sodus and was larger than its present day borders. After its formation in 1802, other towns were created from parts of Williamson including Ontario to the west in 1807 and Marion to the south in 1825. The town’s northern border is Lake Ontario. The Town was named for Captain Charles Williamson, the first land agent for the Pulteney Estates.
The town is comprised of three hamlets East Williamson, Williamson and Pultneyville; the latter hamlet of Pultneyville having had a notable history as a shipping port in the 1800s and having played a role in the Underground Railroad. The town’s elevation is 450 ft and its area is 34.7 sq. mi. of which 34.6 sq. mi. is land and .04 sq. mi. is water. Population recorded in the 2000 census was 6777.
Williamson is primarily a rural farming town. It is recognized nationally for its fruit growing-especially apples, peaches, and cherries. Local agriculture also includes dairy farming. Cadberry Schweppes produces all of the company’s non-carbonated products at its plant on route 104 in Williamson.
On Jan. 16, 1920 Williamson became dry along with the rest of the US when the 18th amendment to the Constitution took effect. However, prohibition was not completely repealed in Williamson until six decades later in 2004 allowing alcohol service in restaurants as well as winery licenses for farms and opening liquor stores. This change will spur the development of additional agricultural crops such as grapes and promote growth of local wineries. Local farm markets offer fresh produce, most notably the Mason Farm and Farm Market located on west Ridge Rd. With a history of 200 years in farming the Mason family grows over 60 different kinds of produce.
The town hosts a number of well known local events. Williamson Apple Blossom Festival, held in May at the height of apple blooms celebrates the heritage of apple faming. Pultneyville Homecoming Festival is held in July, a community wide garage sale is held in September, and a cemetery tour offering historical re-enactments is held in October. Lake View Cemetery located in Pultneyville is a famous resting place for early captains and settlers.
There are a number of local interest points worth visiting. Orbakers Drive-In ,a local hot dog and hamburger stand local on route 104 with its red and white color theme, has been in operation since 1932. Another eatery, the Candy Kitchen located on West Main St. opened in 1890. Owned and operated by four generations of Boosalis family, it is famous for its chocolate candies. For dining in a renovated historical structure, visit Relish at the Landing in Pultneyville.
The Williamson-Sodus Airport located on route 104 is home to the Williamson Flying Club. The Gun Club offers recreational shooting. The Pultneyville Yacht Club and Mariners Club offer sailing and Hughes Anchorage and Marina can be visited to launch boats for great fishing on Lake Ontario.
Unique gifts can be found at Artisens’ Loft on Mill St. in Pultneyville, Good Old Days Country Store on Jay St. in Pultneyville and the Hen House Country Store on Richardson Rd in Williamson.
Williamson is proud to have three sites within the township designated on The National Register of Historic Places: Gates Hall and The Pultneyville Public Square, The Historic District in Pultneyville, and the St. Peter Ship (ship wreck). Gates Hall, known as the second oldest little theater in the United States, still has plays throughout the year performed by its resident theater group.