Village of Elmira

 

Elmira was originally named Newtown. Following the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, white settlers began coming to the area. In 1790, Henry Wisner laid out the settlements of Newtown and Wisnerburg. Newtown extended from Tuttle Avenue to Sullivan Street with Water and Church Streets as the only roads running between. Wisnerburg was located between Baldwin Street, Railroad Avenue, Gray Street, and Water Street. There was a third settlement at the foot of Lake Street. called Dewittsburg. As more people moved into the area, the three settlements all became part of the village of Newtown.

 

By 1813, Newtown had about 40 houses. It was officially incorporated as a village in 1815 and it changed its name to Elmira in 1828.  When Chemung County was organized in 1836, the Village of Elmira became the county seat.