Town of Baldwin

The first settlers to arrive in Baldwin in 1813 found hilly land with forests so thick a wagon could not pass. Brothers Charles and Warren Granger built the first houses in what is now the village of North Chemung. By 1817, 27 families had settled there. More people moved into the area throughout the 1840s and 1850s and, on April 7, 1856, the Town of Baldwin was officially incorporated. The village of Hicks in the northeastern part of town was settled mostly after the Civil War. In 1923, a petition was sent to the County Board of Supervisors in an effort to dissolve the Town of Baldwin, but no action was ever taken.

Baldwin

Aerial view of North Chemung North Chemung was originally called Hammond’s Corners. The name changed when a post office was established there in 1843. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
I Love North Chemung, N.Y. mug, 1980 courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Baldwin Creek Baldwin and Wynkoop Creeks run through the Town of Baldwin. Both were important for early transportation and industry in the town. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Baldwin Town Hall, c. 1950s The first town meeting was held on May 6, 1856 at the home of innkeeper Daniel R. Harris. An official town hall was established in a converted house in the late 1800s and replaced by a new building in the 1960s. courtesy of the Baldwin historian
Town of Baldwin seal Baldwin is known as “The Ice Box of Chemung County” because winter temperatures generally are lower there than in other areas in the county.
Old Home Days parade, 1957 The celebration of Old Home Days began in 1956 to celebrate the centennial of the Town of Baldwin. The annual event continued into the 1960s and was sponsored by North Chemung Community Club and the Union Methodist Church. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Town of Baldwin

Aerial view of North Chemung

North Chemung was originally called Hammond’s Corners. The name changed when a post office was established there in 1843. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

I Love North Chemung, N.Y. mug, 1980

courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Baldwin Creek

Baldwin and Wynkoop Creeks run through the Town of Baldwin. Both were important for early transportation and industry in the town. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Baldwin Town Hall, c. 1950s

The first town meeting was held on May 6, 1856 at the home of innkeeper Daniel R. Harris. An official town hall was established in a converted house in the late 1800s and replaced by a new building in the 1960s. courtesy of the Baldwin historian

Town of Baldwin seal

Baldwin is known as “The Ice Box of Chemung County” because winter temperatures generally are lower there than in other areas in the county.

Old Home Days parade, 1957

The celebration of Old Home Days began in 1956 to celebrate the centennial of the Town of Baldwin. The annual event continued into the 1960s and was sponsored by North Chemung Community Club and the Union Methodist Church. courtesy of the Baldwin historian