Settlement and Development

Southport was officially incorporated as a town on April 16, 1822, but settlers were in the area as early as 1786. The first homes were built along Seeley Creek and in Southport Corners. The settlers built the first school in 1799 and the first church on Maple Avenue in 1819. People began settling in Pine City in the 1830s, Hendy Creek in the 1840s, and Dutch Hill in the 1860s. In 1867, the City of Elmira absorbed the northern part of the town. Land was also taken from Southport to form the Town of Ashland the same year.

Southport

Map of Southport, 1869 The are several hamlets and named areas in the Town of Southport including Pine City, Webb Mills, Seeley Creek, Rosstown, Southport Corners, Sagetown, Dutch Hill, Bulkhead, and South Creek.
Arlington Hotel, c. 1900 The first hotel in Southport, the Bulkhead Hotel, was built in the early 1800s. It was later called the Southport Hotel and then the Arlington Hotel in 1896. It was demolished in 1959 to make way for Route 328.
Southport Corners PresbyterianChurch The South Presbyterian Church opened in 1834. It was remodeled in 1900. Fire damaged the church in July 1955 but it was renovated and rededicated four months later. In 2004, the church was completely destroyed by fire.
Iron courtesy of the Southport Historical Society
Hand fluter, pat. 1866 courtesy of the Southport Historical Society

Settlement and Development

Map of Southport, 1869

The are several hamlets and named areas in the Town of Southport including Pine City, Webb Mills, Seeley Creek, Rosstown, Southport Corners, Sagetown, Dutch Hill, Bulkhead, and South Creek.

Arlington Hotel, c. 1900

The first hotel in Southport, the Bulkhead Hotel, was built in the early 1800s. It was later called the Southport Hotel and then the Arlington Hotel in 1896. It was demolished in 1959 to make way for Route 328.

Southport Corners PresbyterianChurch

The South Presbyterian Church opened in 1834. It was remodeled in 1900. Fire damaged the church in July 1955 but it was renovated and rededicated four months later. In 2004, the church was completely destroyed by fire.

Iron

courtesy of the Southport Historical Society

Hand fluter, pat. 1866

courtesy of the Southport Historical Society