History of Batavia, New York, USA

1850 - Destructive Fire
A fire occurred on the 17th inst., in Rhany's [R. Haney's] extensive hardware store, Batavia, New York. There being no water, the flames spread with great rapidity, consuming Mr. Gordon's house, his office and dwelling the rear of the American Hotel, and several other buildings. The total loss by this fire is estimated at $50,000, on which there is partial insurance.
The Adams Sentinel
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
February 25, 1850

1854 - Batavia
Batavia, a handsome post-village in the above township, capital of Genesee county, on Tonawanda creek, and on the Buffalo and Rochester railroad, 36 miles E. by N. from Buffalo, and 32 miles W. S. W. from Rochester. It contains churches for Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Catholics ; 2 banks, over 40 stores, and the office of the Holland Land Company. The streets are wide and well shaded, and the houses neatly built. Batavia is the terminns of the Batavia and Attica railroad, and of another line leading to Corning. Incorporated in 1823. Two newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1853, about 3000.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1859
BATAVIA, a township and village of New York, U.S., in Genesee co. The former presents a level surface, and is watered by the Tonawanda creek. Its soil, compounded of sand and calcareous loam, is generally fertile. Pop. 4,219. The village is collected by the Tonawanda railroad and with the Great Western. It was incorporated in 1834 and consists of 300 houses. Pop. in 1840, 2,000.
A Gazetteer of the World: Or, Dictionary of Geographical Knowledge, Publisher A. Fullarton, 1859

1886 - A HOTEL FIRE. DESTRUCTION OF THE ST. JAMES IN BATAVIA - SEVERAL PERSONS HURT.
Batavia, N. Y., Jan. 8. - At 2 o'clock this morning the St. James Hotel, the leading hotel in town, a large four-story brick building containing 80 rooms, was discovered to be in flames. The fire had started from a pipe from the furnace which ran to the roof alongside an elevator shaft, and had broken out and spread almost simultaneously on all the floors. The fire alarm was promptly sounded, and the firemen rendered assistance to the occupants of the building, of whom there were 33. J. H. JUDD, of Syracuse; E. CONDON, of Elmira, and J. H. BENNETT, of Auburn, the only transient guests in the house, were rescued by the hook and ladder company.

BENNETT, lost a part of his clothing, $150 in money, and a gold watch and chain. MR. and MRS. F. S. WOOD, whose sleeping room was next to the elevator shaft, were the first to leave the house. They were obliged to rush through sheets of flame, and, being scantily clothed, were quite badly burned. Several boarders jumped from the third story to ... Read MORE...

1895 - Batavia
Batavia, a post-village, capital of Genesee co., N.Y., on Tonawanda Creek, 32 miles by rail W.S.W. of Rochester, and 36 miles E. by N. from Buffalo, on the New York Central and the Lehigh Valley Railroads and a branch of the Erie Railroad. A branch of the former railroad extends from Batavia westward to Tonawanda and eastward to Canandaigua. It contains a court-house, a county jail, 8 churches, a convent, a national bank, 3 other banks, high and other schools, an arsenal, a public library, a daily and 2 weekly newspapers, and manufactures of steam-engines, threshing-machines, ploughs, farming-implements, and sash and blinds. Batavia is the seat of the New York State Institute for the Blind. Pop. in 1890, 7221.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1899 - Batavia
Batavia is the largest town in Genesee county, both in point of territory and population. It is located in about the centre of the county, and is bounded on the north by Oakfield and Elba, on the east by Stafford, on the south by Bethany and Alexander, and on the west by Pembroke and Alabama. The surface of the town is undulating, being nearly level in some portions. Tonawanda creek enters the town on the southern border, flows in a northerly direction to the village of Batavia, where it turns and takes a westerly course, passing out of the town at the centre of the western boundary. Its course through the town is exceedingly sluggish for most of the way. Bowen's creek, which has its source in Alexander, flows northwesterly through Batavia until it reaches Tonawanda creek, near the western limits of the town. The soil of this town is a deep, fertile, sandy loam, adapted to many kinds of agricultural pursuits, but especially to fruit raising. Batavia village, the county seat of Genesee ... Read MORE...

1911 - TERRIBLE TRAIN CRASH. BLAME PLACED ON EXPRESS ENGINEER.
Superintendent Everett Says J. B. LYDELL, of Buffalo, Engineer of Train 23, and For 40 Years an Employe of Railroad, Ran Past Signals – Many Passengers Injured, Several of Whom May Die.

Batavia, Jan. 16 – Four persons were killed and twenty-six injured in a rear-end collision on the New York Central Railroad here last Friday. Some of the injured were terribly burned in the fire that followed the wreck, and will die.

The collision was between the Western Express and the Boston and Buffalo Special. The special was standing at the station discharging and taking on passengers when the express crashed into it, telescoping two sleepers and a passenger coach.

The engine of the express tuned over and rolled along the track for 200 feet, emptying boiling water over the passengers, who had been in the telescoped cars.

Coals from the overturned locomotive set fire to the wreckage, adding to the horror. Two of the dead were found pinned under the upset engine. The others were found in ... Read MORE...

1916
Batavia, a post-village, capital of Genesee co., N.Y., on Tonawanda Creek, 36 miles E. by N. of Buffalo, on the New York Central and Hudson River, the Lehigh Valley and the Erie Rs. It contains a court-house, county jail, public library, high-schools, and manufactories of fire-arms, carriages, threshing-machines, ploughs, farming-implements, shoes, sash and blinds, etc. Batavia is the seat of the New York State Institute for the Blind. Pop. in 1890, 7221 ; in 1900, 9180.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1925 - FOUR KILLED IN WRECK AT R. R. CROSSING. BUFFALO FAMILIES WERE ON WAY TO PICNIC. MORE IN CAR SURVIVE.
Car Rolled Down Bank 300 Feet Two Women Carried With Wreckage.

Batavia, N. Y., Sept. 7 (A.P.) - Four Buffalo persons were killed shortly before one o'clock today when a west bound New York Central passenger train crashed into a light sedan at a grade crossing near Godfrey's Pond, five miles northeast of Batavia on the Byron Road. Three of the dead are women and one a man. All of the women were instantly killed.

The dead are:
CHARLES H. SIMPSON, a welder, 34, driver.
MRS. FLORA SIMPSON, his wife, 33.
MRS. CATAHERINE MYLES, 53 years old, a neighbor.
MRS. DUNCAN CAMPBELL, 56 years old, mother of MRS. SIMPSON.

The SIMPSON and MYLES families left Buffalo yesterday morning for Rochester. At noon they left the main highway with the intention of going to Godfrey's Pond picnic ground to eat their luncheon. They were withing a few hundred yards of their destination when the accident occurred.

The party was in two automobiles, SIMPSON driving the first one and WILLIAM MYLES with... Read MORE...

1929 - TRUCK DRIVER KILLED BY TRAIN
Batavia, Jan. 15 (AP). - Roy McIntyre 28 of Holly was almost instantly killed and his brother, Albert was seriously injured here today when their truck was struck by a freight train on the West Shore road of the New York Central lines. Albert was taken to a hospital here suffering from internal injuries.
Syracuse Herald
Syracuse, New York
January 15, 1929

2023 - Batavia, New York, is a charming city with a lot to offer. Whether you're a resident or just passing through, there are plenty of places to visit and things to do in the area. Here's a list to get you started:
JELL-O Gallery Museum: Did you know that JELL-O was invented in LeRoy, just a short drive from Batavia? The JELL-O Gallery Museum is a fun place to learn about the history of this iconic dessert, with interactive exhibits and JELL-O-themed art.

Holland Land Office Museum: Batavia has a rich history, and the Holland Land Office Museum is the perfect place to dive into it. It tells the story of how the Holland Land Company played a vital role in settling Western New York.

Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel: If you're feeling lucky, head to Batavia Downs for some gaming fun. They have a casino, horse racing, and various entertainment options throughout the year.

Dine at Local Restaurants: Batavia has a growing food scene. Be sure to check out local restaurants like Alex's Place for some mouthwatering steaks, or O'Lacy's Irish Pub for a cozy Irish meal.

Hiking and Nature: Genesee County Park and Forest is a beautiful place to spend a day outdoors. You can go hiking, have a picnic,... Read MORE...