Living in Greece Stories

Stories and recollections from the people, places, and publications that document life in the Town of 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. Submit a local history story or memory of growing up in the Town of Greece by emailing a zip file with your story and photos to greecehistoricalsociety@yahoo.com. Use the subject line: Share My Story of Local History or Memories Of Greece N.Y. plus your story title. Include a brief bio and one photo for publication.

Your story should be no more than 500 words. We can edit for continuity, grammar, and punctuation. Stories may cover one span or multiple spans: 1800-1850, 1900-1950, 1950-2000, and 2000-Present.

4 stories
Reset
Sort stories by:
Published date Title Last updated Random Comments
Family painting of their farm

Richardson Family Connection to the Erie Canal

April 8, 2025 |
In 1880, George Richardson purchased 100 acres in Greece, NY. By 1918, the Erie Canal's relocation split the farm, reducing its fields. Edward and Cora Richardson received compensation in 1907. The land was auctioned in 1939; today, it hosts Canal Ponds Business Park, townhomes, and a professional building.
Categories: 1850-1900 1900-1950 Corinthian Living in Greece Stories
Tags: 1880 1895 1907 Payment 1918 200 years of the Completion of the Canal Auction (1939) Big Ridge Road Bradford Bridge Construction Canal Ponds Business Park Central Drive-in Cora Miller Daniel Sharp David Richardson Edward Richardson Erie Canal Farming Flour City George Richardson Long Pond Road Lot 108 Mitchell Road New York State PA Pennsylvania Phelps and Gorham Purchase Ridgeway Avenue
Read Story
The Grand Erie Yacht Club

The Grand Erie Yacht Club

May 4, 2024 |
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...
Categories: 1950-2000 Guest Stories Living in Greece Stories
Tags: Capt. Jeff’s Marina chicken barbecues Commodore Erie Canal Fleet Captain Henpeck Henpeck Park Monte Carlo nights New York State Rear Commodore Ross Gates Secretary spaghetti dinners steak roasts The Grand Erie Yacht Club treasurer Vice Commodore
Read Story
Notice in the Daily Democrat, June 14, 1854

Ralph Francis: Black Activist and Abolitionist

February 2, 2024 |
Marie Poinan presented on Charlotte ferries' history, highlighting Ralph Francis, a black ferry operator who might have aided the Underground Railroad (UGRR). With limited records due to UGRR secrecy, Francis's activism and circumstantial evidence, including his property and business ties, support possible involvement. After facing personal tragedies and potential danger,...
Categories: 1800-1850 1850-1900 Charlotte Hamlets of Greece Living in Greece Stories
Tags: Benjamin Cleggett Canada Charlotte Civil War conductor Daily Democrat Democrat & Chronicle Eagle Hotel Francis & Cleggett Barber Shop Frederick Douglass Fugitive Slave Act Genesee River Greig Street Harriet Tubman Kelsey's Landing Marie Villone Poinan Maureen Whalen New York State North Star Ontario Peterborough Port of Charlotte Ralph Francis Reynolds Arcade Stagecoach stationmaster Third Ward Underground Railroad
Read Story

Rotobowling Never Quite Caught on in Greece

January 1, 2021 |
In the late 1940s, as bowling was becoming more popular, the residents of Greece had several choices of where to bowl, including Boem's on Edgemere Drive and the Charlotte bowling hall on Stutson Street. Along the Ridge, there was the Lyon's Den, Damm Brothers, and Ridge Bowling, but with no...
Categories: 1900-1950 1950-2000 Living in Greece Stories
Tags: 1940 1946 1954 1956 1957 1960 AMF Barnard School Boem's Charlotte Cramer's Drug Store Damm Brothers Dewey Ave Donato Fasano Edgemere Drive Ernest Fasano Fasinos Frear Estate Gambling Lyon's Den Maiden Lane Maiden Lanes McCall Michael Fasano New York State Northgate Plaza Orville Whittle Pin Boys Pin Spotter Ridge Bowling Ridge Bowling Hall Rotobowling Sam Mink Schantz Construction Stone Road Stutson St.
Read Story