Business & Industry

Elmira Heights rapidly developed in the 1890s. By 1895, there were more than half a dozen new factories in operation including Call Manufacturing Company, Elmira Bridge Works, the American Window Glass Company, and Eclipse Bicycle Works. Many more factories opened throughout the early 1900s. Companies built housing units to accommodate the influx of workers. Hotels like the Grand Central Hotel, Cycle Hotel, and Eclipse Hotel also housed factory employees and their families. Amos Bauman opened the first grocery store on Grand Central Avenue and other markets and stores soon followed. The village remained an industrial center until well after World War II.

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Elmira Heights

Elmira Knitting Mills, c. 1895 The Elmira Knitting Mills was one of the first factories established in Elmira Heights. From 1893 through 1963 it produced wool, cotton, and silk garments.
Plaque presented to the Elmira Heights Historical Society by the fire department following the fire The Elmira Knitting Mills was one of the first factories established in Elmira Heights in 1893. It manufactured wool, cotton, and silk goods. By the 1950s, it produced 25 different garments including children’s shirts, women’s panties, and pajamas. When the factory closed for good in 1963, it was the longest operating textile business in the county. The building was being used as a warehouse by Hesselson’s when it burned in January 2016. (courtesy of the Elmira Heights Historical Society)
Oak Ridge Hotel, early 1910s The Oak Ridge Hotel opened on April 1, 1894 as an attraction to promote the use of electric street cars. It had 56 rooms, a barroom, and a dance pavilion. In 1916, it was demolished after a fire. The site is now Oakridge Park.
Pierce’s 1894 Restaurant, 1975 Crawford H. Pierce built the Double Decker Cigar Factory on the lot he bought during the Great Land Lottery. In 1894, he opened a grill in the downstairs of the factory which grew to become Pierce’s 1894 Restaurant.

Business & Industry

Elmira Knitting Mills, c. 1895

The Elmira Knitting Mills was one of the first factories established in Elmira Heights. From 1893 through 1963 it produced wool, cotton, and silk garments.

Plaque presented to the Elmira Heights Historical Society by the fire department following the fire

Oak Ridge Hotel, early 1910s

The Oak Ridge Hotel opened on April 1, 1894 as an attraction to promote the use of electric street cars. It had 56 rooms, a barroom, and a dance pavilion. In 1916, it was demolished after a fire. The site is now Oakridge Park.

Pierce’s 1894 Restaurant, 1975

Crawford H. Pierce built the Double Decker Cigar Factory on the lot he bought during the Great Land Lottery. In 1894, he opened a grill in the downstairs of the factory which grew to become Pierce’s 1894 Restaurant.