The History of Springville, NY
1850 - 1874

1851-1852 

-         Springville and Boston Plank Road Company constructs a turnpike between the two communities and operates it for 10-12 years.

  1853

-         Old Congregational Church, no longer in use, is purchased by the Roman Catholics and the Springville parish is established.

  1855-1856 

-         The newspaper, THE AMERICAN CITIZEN, is published in the village.

  1858 

-         The Methodist Church reaches an agreement with Springville Academy to operate the school in exchange for use of the building for religious services.

-         W.A. Ferrin publishes PENNY WEEKLY for several months.

  1861-1865 

-         Numerous Springville volunteers serve the Union in the Civil War with the majority being in Company A of the 100^th New York State Volunteers and Company F of the 116^th New York State Volunteers.

  1863 

-         Horace Greeley speaks to the Erie County farmers in Springville on September 24.

-         Methodist Church is constructed at the northwest corner of Buffalo and Franklin Streets.

  1864 

-         Springville Rural Cemetery (now Maplewood) is dedicated.

-         Augustine Ferrin founds THE CHRONICLE.

  1867 

-         Springville Academy becomes “Griffith Institute” in consideration of a substantial donation given the school by Archibald Griffith.

-         A free Baptist Church is formally organized on May 26.

-         A new daily stage, managed by T. Perkins, begins operating between Springville and Cattaraugus.

-         The new Springville National Baseball club plays at the new fairgrounds on June 1.

-         The Springville Journal is started by Walter W. Blakeley and his wife, the former Mary Lowe, and has continued publications every since.

  1868 

-         Fire destroys buildings on the south side of Main Street from Pearl Street to the present site of the Springville Dry Cleaners.

  1869 

-         Plank walks are laid all along the south side of the Main Street business district.

-         A Circus with 180 animals performs in the village.

-         A school is established on Hammond’s Hall to teach velocipede (early tricycle) riding.

  1871 

-         Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church is organized.

  1872 

-         Republicans raise a liberty pole on the corner of Cow (Mill) Avenue and Pearl Street.  Pole is torn down that same night  the Ku Klux Klan.

-         S. R. Smith Cheese Factory produces the second largest cheese in the country (2975 pounds) for display at the International Exposition in Buffalo.

-         The Central Park Menagerie, International Circus and troupe of Iroquois Indians all perform in Springville on June 27.