The area is steeped in American history. One of the thirteen original colonies, New York played a large part in the Revolutionary
War. In particular, Steuben County is named after the Prussian Baron Von Steuben, who is credited with instilling military bearing
in the ragtag militia forces commanded by George Washington. Although Hornell was incorporated long after the Revolutionary War in
1852, nearby Canisteo was established in 1796, a mere 12 years after the revolution.
Early experiments with seaplanes were performed on the nearby Finger Lakes by the aviation pioneer Glenn Hammond Curtiss, and that
American icon Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was a resident of the Elmira suburbs during the 1870's, traveling often in this part of
the state. Those travels included frequent trips between Elmira and Jamestown as a passenger on the Erie. It has also been reported
that the author once mailed a postcard from Hornell so he didn't always just pass through--Twain was a sometimes visitor to the city.
You can't talk about Hornell, without talking about the Erie Railroad. The Erie transformed Hornell from a small sleepy town,
into a bustling vibrant city. And for many years the symbiotic relationship provided all parties with wealth and prosperity.
The 2000 census population of Hornell was 13,061 including the residents of North Hornell and the county subdivision of Hornellsville.
The city proper is reported to have a population of 9,019.
Although much of the railroad business is gone, many of the talented and experienced railroad workers still live in Hornell and many
are available members of the labor pool. With Alfred University, the SUNY College of Technology at Alfred , and the Steuben Allegany
Board of Cooperative Education Services (BOCES) training future scholars, there is a ready pool of highly trained workers available.
Alstom,
the French transportation company is a major local employer with their facilities occupying the old Erie Railroad shops
Hornell
is centrally located relative to the major commerce centers of the Midwest and the eastern seaboard. It has access to several major
highway arterials including the Southern Tier Expressway, and Interstates 90 and 390. Hornell is still a railroad town and just as
in the first days of the Erie, Hornell is linked to the Great Lakes on the west, and New York City on the east--and to all points
beyond by rail. The Hornell airport is the largest such facility in Steuben County. Boasting a lighted, paved 3,400 foot runway it
is ready for just about any transport needs. The airport has 14 hangars and one large fully enclosed hangar with aircraft maintenance
available.
The city physical plant and infrastructure is sound. The water table and quality of water is excellent, as is the recently
upgraded sewer system. The City of Hornell has a new four million gallon per day Waste Treatment Plant that is operating at about
50% capacity, and has recently undertaken a $6.5 million dollar project to upgrade and expand the Waste Pollution Plant. The City
provides waste treatment at no charge within the city limits and at nominal rates outside of the City.
For further information about the city of Hornell contact:
Mayor Shawn D.Hogan
82 Main Street
P.O. Box 627
Hornell, New York, 14843
(607) 324-7421
fax: (607) 324-3150
Hornell, known as "The Maple City" for it's many Maple trees, is a small railroad and farming town, snuggled in the grassy hills of
the Canisteo Valley in western New York state. The Canisteo River winds through town, and has been the source of much fun for the
area youth, as well as a source of disaster causing numerous floods over the years. The surrounding area includes the Finger Lakes,
vineyards and wineries, Watkin's Glen Raceway, Corning Glass Works, Alfred University and some of the most beautiful state parks anywhere.
This website was created and is maintained by
Philip J. June, H.H.S. class of 1966,
as a public service.
Some Rights Reserved 2007 - 2010
Contact Info:
EMAIL:
URL:
This site was first published February 1999
Last update was July 27, 2010
Hornell is an ERIE town, as in Erie Railroad. The railroad first arrived in the mid 1800's bringing wealth and prosperity to Hornell. The withering railroad brought tough times to the city in the 1970's, but Hornell survived and is optimistically forging ahead into the new millenium.
The Erie Lackawana New York to Chicago passenger train Phoebe Snow pauses in Dover, New Jersey on April 25, 1965 on its way west (Photo courtesy of Railroad Avenue Enterprises)
