Living in Greece

These articles offer perspectives on what it was like to live in the Town of Greece in the past. Many are from the archives or newsletters of the Greece Historical Society. If you would be interested in learning more about the Town of Greece’s history, please feel free to contact us at (585) 225-7221.

(These stories, are the property of the Greece Historical Society, which retains all right thereto. The contributors to these stories provide them for non-commercial, personal, educational, and/or research use only. Prior written permission from the Greece Historical Society and the individual authors must be obtained for any other use; including but not limited to commercial or scholarly publications, or any reproductions or redistribution of any kind.)

Share Your Stories and Memories

We love to read stories and memories by YOU or your organization. Each of us has a story to tell. Submit a story about your group or a local history story or memory of growing up in the Town of Greece. Please email your story with photos as a zip file to: greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com and in the subject line put Share My Story of Local History or Memories Of Greece N.Y. and the title of your story along with a photo and brief bio so when we publish your story in the newsletter and on the web just like the stories below. Your story should be no more than 500 words. Don’t worry if you’re not an English scholar — we will edit as needed for continuity, grammar, punctuation, etc.

Ontario Beach Park – a series of articles written by Dick Halsey (also contains access to other historical content)

Our Interviews and Older Publications prior to the ones published in the Corinthian Newsletter

Some of the stories of living in Greece may bridge the years that the story is based on some may bridge all years and some may only bridge 2 or 3 of the 50 years spans per each 50-year span starting with 1800-1850, 1900-1950, 1950-2000, and 2000-Present.

Explore Living In Greece, NY

Living in Greece Stories (81)Guest Stories (15)1800-1850 (13)1850-1900 (26)1900-1950 (57)1950-2000 (34)2000 – Present (10)From The Historian’s Files (24)
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The Fight Against Polio

Between 1945 and 1955, polio was one of the most feared diseases in the United States, striking thousands of children each year. Often fatal to children under 10, it left many survivors with paralysis or lasting disabilities. Communities rallied to combat the disease, with local efforts like the March of Dimes and the Mothers March raising funds for research. A breakthrough came in 1955 when Jonas Salk’s vaccine was approved, marking the beginning of the end for polio in the U.S. In Greece, NY, schools, churches, and local organizations played a key role in supporting vaccination efforts and aiding those…

DANN HOUSE – from Hotel to Bowling

“Explore the fascinating history of the Dann House, a 19th-century lakeside hotel turned bowling alley in Greece, NY. From its days as the Grand View Beach Hotel to its final chapter as Ames Tavern, discover its transformation and impact on the community. Perfect for history and architecture enthusiasts!”…

Parma Greece United Church of Christ

“About the year 1830 a small number of persons, residing near the town line in Parma and Greece, feeling the necessity of religious services, met together at what was known as the old red schoolhouse, east of Parma Centre, and agreed to hold bi-weekly meetings for mutual prayers and for reading the Scriptures. The services…

The Ridge Road Cemetery Association, Also Known as the Falls Cemetery

The Ridge Road Cemetery Association, also known as Falls Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Monroe County, New York. It was established in 1811 by Daniel Budd and his wife Chloe Allen, who purchased land in what is now the Town of Greece. The north section of the cemetery is for pioneer graves, while the west and south sections have more recent burials. The cemetery was the site of the town’s Memorial Day remembrances from the early 1900s to 1963. It is home to 5 Revolutionary War veterans, 16 from the War of 1812, 25 from the Civil…

Greece Public Library 1958 – Present

The Greece Public Library, established in 1958, began with a book caravan in the 1920s and temporary locations. By 1962, it had its own building. Over the years, branches opened and closed, and in 2000, a new library building was completed. Today, it continues to evolve, meeting modern needs with a recent interior renovation…

A House and Farm on Buckman Road

Jo Ann Ward Snyder has been researching pioneer families in the Town of Greece for two books. While researching the George Buckman family of Buckman Road, the author discovered that their childhood home was indeed the old Buckman homestead. George and Lucy Buckman raised their three children, James Burl, Homer, and May, who were born here between 1884-1889. The farm was sold to Edward William and Mary Katherine “May” Beck Reilly, who set about farming and raising their family. The property left the Reilly family in the 1990s. Homer, who married Alice Mitchell in 1906, would set his landmark milk…

The Grand Erie Yacht Club

Laurie Eisele explores the remnants of the Grand Erie Yacht Club, founded in 1982 by marina members seeking camaraderie. Bought for $1, operational hurdles were overcome by community support, culminating in a bustling hub of activities until its closure in 1992 due to disagreements and regulatory challenges. Despite its derelict state today, it remains a nostalgic symbol of resilience and cherished memories for former patrons…