Historic Youngstown NY - (716) 217-1799

1st, largest and OFFICIAL page for people that love historic Youngstown, NY and the surrounding paradise on the Niagara River.

This page was created and managed by a group of volunteers who administrate the page along with A River Runs Through It, Inc. - Youngstown, NY. We support and promote all communities of the lower Niagara River with an emphasis on the Village of Youngstown, Town of Porter, and Hamlet of Ransomville, NY.

We are home to Old Fort Niagara www.oldfortniagara.org, the oldest stone structure on the Great Lakes and the longest consistently occupied military facility in the United States.

This facebook page was created in January 2012, and unlike other pages vying for attention has never "boosted" to build our followers. It grows through word of mouth, Likes and Shares. It is administrated and enjoyed by people that live, want to live, visit, or work in this beautiful area. With lots of things to do, wonderful residents, and incredible natural and historical landmarks, it is a Village that is surrounded on 2 sides by water. To the north is Lake Ontario and to the west is the mighty Niagara River.

We share the an international border with stunning and historic, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON Canada. Youngstown, also known affectionately as "YNY", "River-Village", and Y-town is the closest American community to Toronto, Canada. 6.5 miles to the south, and up river from Youngstown is the wonderful, historic Lewiston, NY (there seems to be a running theme of deep history here.

Here some regarding our fair community from
Wikepedia:
Youngstown is a village in Niagara County, New York, USA. The population was 1,957 at the 2000 census.[1] It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Youngstown is on the western edge of the town of Porter and is at the international border with Canada. It is north of the city of Niagara Falls.

The village's early growth was under the protection of Fort Niagara.[citation needed] The village was destroyed by the British in 1813 during the War of 1812.[citation needed] The Village of Youngstown was incorporated in 1854, named after John Young .[3]
Youngstown is an historic village located at the northwestern corner of the state where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario. In an area known to the Indians for hundreds of years, the French explorer La Salle left his mark by building a small fort in 1670, less than a mile north of where the village now stands. The French gained control of the Great Lakes area and by 1727 built the "Castle" which became the centerpiece of Old Fort Niagara.
In 1759, a large force of British soldiers under the command of General Ptideux was sent up the then Mohawk River and along Lake Ontario to lay siege to the French Fort. During the battle, Ptideux was killed and Sir William Johnson took command. Following a successful ambush of the French and Indian relief forces at La Belle Famille, the Fort surrendered. This action played an important part in the final loss for France of most of its possessions in the New World. As a result of the 1763 Devil's Hole Massacre above the escarpment, Johnson forced the Indian chiefs to give up their claims on the land along both sides of the Niagara River from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. A mile-wide strip along the eastern side eventually became the New York State Mile Reserve.
John Young, who lived across the river, saw opportunities on this side and built a store on the landing area in 1809. In 1811, he bought Lots 1 and 2 of the Mile Reserve. These included all the property from what is now the north side of Falkner Park and as far south as Campbell Street and from the river eastward to what is now the Robert Moses Parkway.
Young sold the Falkner Park area to Robert Greensit in March 1812 before the war started between the U.S. and England. By that time, a number of log cabins had been built to provide shelter for the skilled tradesmen and storekeepers who were attracted to the area by the Fort which needed many supplies and services.
In 1813, American forces captured Fort George across the river. At Christmas time, they retreated to the American side after burning the Village of Newark, Ontario (now Niagara-On-The-Lake). In retaliation, British and Indians captured Fort Niagara and burned most of the buildings and homes south of it to what is now Buffalo.
Rebuilding gradually took place and by the 1840s the village was well established with many fine homes and stores. The moderate climate, the excellent fishing, accessibility by lake boats and proximity to Canada all played a part in Youngstown's growth. The soil proved invaluable for fruit culture which attracted many farmers. This led to the development of industries such as barrel making, fruit packing and storage, the drying of apples and making of cider and vinegar. Carpenters, blacksmiths and other tradesmen were needed as lumber and shipbuilding businesses were important for many years.
Many changes have come about through the years: concrete sidewalks replaced those made of wood. The dirt and stone road to Lewiston became a safe paved highway; the fire company grew from a man-pulled hose cart into a fully equipped fire department and water and sewer systems were installed throughout the village. The handling of mail began in Judge Hinman's home and was finally delivered house to house in 1959.
Three railroads were built to the village. Two failed immediately in the 1850s, but the electric line carried supplies to the village and fort as well as bringing thousands of people to the old beach amusement park.[4][5]
The following are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Fort Niagara Light, John Carter Farmstead, St. John's Episcopal Church, and the Old Fort Niagara-Colonial Niagara Historic District.[6]

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