Early Settlement

The first land grant in the area that would eventually become Elmira Heights was issued to Judge John Suffern in 1788. Grants were later issued to Thomas Whitney, Joshua Carpenter, and Mathew McConnell. Whitney was the first settler to build a cabin for his family. Other homesteads soon followed, including one built by John McCann who purchased land from Whitney. In 1830, Jim Carpenter built his Half-Way House inn for travelers to stay at while going between Elmira and Horseheads along Lake Road. The Erie Railroad first came through in 1849, carrying passengers and freight between Elmira and Watkins Glen.