Business & Industry

The first industry in Baldwin was lumbering. The thick forests were logged off to make way for homes and farms. Logs and lumber were floated down Baldwin Creek to Elmira to be sold. The land that was cleared was not great for farming, but it could support grain crops that went to feed dairy cows. Several creameries operated in North Chemung in the late 1800s producing butter and cheese. Small businesses such as gristmills, blacksmith shops, wagon shops, general stores, and inns served the local population in the 19th century. There were never any railroad or street car lines through the town, so no large companies set up operations there.

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Baldwin

Sawmill The first sawmill in Baldwin was built by Elisha Hammond in 1828. Lumbering continued to be profitable through the century. In 1875, Charles Hutchinson’s mill produced 400,000 feet of lumber a year. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Wood plane Used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s
Wood plane Used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s
Wooden peg Used in early building construction in Baldwin courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Blacksmith shop, 1894 Buildings in the town were often used for different purposes throughout their histories. A wagon shop built by Abe Shipman in the 1870s was later used as a community hall that hosted dances, revival meetings, and traveling medicine shows. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Fire tongs used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s
Threshing grain, early 20th century In 1956, there were 35 herds of cattle and milk cows in Baldwin and 59 farms, 17 of which operated on a commercial basis. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Cowbell, 1878 courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Advertising booklet Milsom Buffalo Fertilizers sold by W.H. Jenkins in North Chemung, 1898 courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Ladies Perfumed Calendar Hoyt’s German Cologne sold by Little Bros. in North Chemung, 1890 courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Business & Industry

Sawmill

The first sawmill in Baldwin was built by Elisha Hammond in 1828. Lumbering continued to be profitable through the century. In 1875, Charles Hutchinson’s mill produced 400,000 feet of lumber a year. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Wood plane

Used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s

Wood plane

Used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s

Wooden peg

Used in early building construction in Baldwin courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Blacksmith shop, 1894

Buildings in the town were often used for different purposes throughout their histories. A wagon shop built by Abe Shipman in the 1870s was later used as a community hall that hosted dances, revival meetings, and traveling medicine shows. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Fire tongs

used by Robert Ramson Hammond of North Chemung, early 1800s

Threshing grain, early 20th century

In 1956, there were 35 herds of cattle and milk cows in Baldwin and 59 farms, 17 of which operated on a commercial basis. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Cowbell, 1878

courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Advertising booklet

Milsom Buffalo Fertilizers sold by W.H. Jenkins in North Chemung, 1898 courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Ladies Perfumed Calendar

Hoyt’s German Cologne sold by Little Bros. in North Chemung, 1890 courtesy of the Baldwin historian