WHERE WE ARE
(II)
HISTORY
Prior to 1600, our present four corners was but a spot on a long wilderness trail of only tall trees, wild animals and an occasional Seneca Indian traveling between the Niagara Falls area and the Hudson River. During the seventeenth century, there were many French explorers and Christian missionaries who visited this area south of Lake Ontario and east of Irondequoit Bay.
In 1790, the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase" set aside in the Genesee Region, a portion of land which is the present Webster. First, we were a part of Northfield and ten years later, in 1800, we became known as "Boyl". Another 10 years, in 1810, the present Webster became a portion of Penfield known as North Penfield. It took another 30 years in 1840 before the residents of North Penfield separated from Penfield and became a township of its own known as Webster.
In the early 1800's, the first settlers entered this area east of the bay and south of the big lake. While still part of Penfield, the leaders of that time created a town center at their four corners. When the residents of North Penfield wished to established a center in the present Webster, Penfield suggested that we start one five miles north of their Penfield Four Corners; hence, Five Mile Line Road.
Both Methodist and Lutheran churches established their first churches near this Five Mile Line Road and Ridge Road junction. In the meantime, the Presbyterians and Baptists built their churches at the junction of Nine Mile Point Road (named because it was nine miles from the Genesee River outlet east Nine Mile Point) and Ridge Road where the industrial and shipping center was located. The Erie Canal was completed in 1820 and the farmers, dry-house operators and basket makers were able to send their
products either south to Fairport to the canal and railroad or north to the "Point" where their produce and products could be shipped by lake schooner to Canada and other ports along Lake Ontario.
By 1840, the Four Corners of the new Town of Webster became not only an important stop for the products and produce going north and south, but also an important stop for stagecoaches and freight moving east and west. Several taverns and inns were built near the four corners and carriage, wagon makers and blacksmiths started their businesses near this intersection.
The first taverns near the four corners were Spears' Tavern (The Stage Coach Inn) and Robb's Tavern near Phillips Road and the Ridge. Henry Herman began his blacksmith shop near Five Mile Line Road, but soon moved it near the four corners on the site of the present Village Hall. Later McKay and McKee manufactured wagons and carriages on the same location.
Water, or the lack of it, started people in the four corners area thinking about incorporation of this section of the village more than 100 years ago. With the growth of the basket factory, the increasing number of dry houses, especially apples, the casket factory and the wood framing company, there were many fires and no available water or fire department to fight these frequent fires.
In 1876, the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad came through Webster and another era of businesses developed. The Webster Canning Company needed water. Dean's Spring, an area behind the present Lutheran Church, could not supply enough water for the canning factory, pickle factory, and basket factory or for fire fighting. The solution was to establish an area within the town for "water".
At the turn of the century, it was very apparent that the four corners area had a sufficient supply of water. The entire town did not need more water since farmers had wells or springs on their property. The solution was obvious - to segregate a section around the four corners and create a separate area with its own governing system, to bring water to Webster.
The year 1900 marked a significant turning point in the development of the Village of Webster. The first bank since Civil War times was established and the Rochester Sodus Bay Trolley connected Webster to Rochester, leading to a major expansion of the Village residential area (the present Lapham Park, Elm Street, Dunning Avenue and Park Avenue section).
From the records of former village historian, George S. Curtice, it states, "On February 28, 1904, some prominent citizens of the un-incorporated Village of Webster met in the law office of Barrett and Allen (John W Barrett, father of Gerald and Miller P. Allen) to discuss the pros and cons of possible incorporation of the village. They decided to petition the Town of Webster for an election to decide whether or not to incorporate". But not until 1905 was the Village incorporated. The following year, a volunteer fire department was organized. The Village continued as the shipping center for the area's dried apple industry until well after World War II. It also had the world's largest basket factory and was the center of the canning industry in Monroe County.
The Village survived the Depression and the war years that followed, but these times saw the gradual decline of the traditional agricultural trade. In the late 1950's, the Village annexed 182 acres of land that became the home of the Xerox Corporation.
While taking pride in its progress, the Village has not forgotten its past. In 1992, a survey was made of all homes and structures 50 years old and older. Recently the Village of Webster has implemented a program to renovate several of its older streets and has erected landmark signs. In providing outstanding community services and fostering neighborly atmosphere, the Village continues a tradition that began with James Spear in 1812.
Community Profile
If one were to ask Village residents and business owners to describe the Village of
Webster, they would refer to it as a historic small Village that provides a pleasant residential environment within a growing community of Monroe County. They would also refer to the Village as a distinct community that has many common interests with the Town of Webster, and whose own vitality depends greatly on the economy of the City of Rochester and County of Monroe. There are many reasons people chose to live in the Village of Webster, but the respondents to the Community Comprehensive Plan Survey indicated that the four most important reasons were: they wanted to live in a small village, to live near employment, too live near the excellent public schools, and to live in a village with good services and facilities.
The population of the Village of Webster in the 2000 census was 5216, about evenly split between male and female. School age children account for 25% of the population an increase of 8% over the previous data. The number of people 65 and over decreased from 20% to 12%. This resulted from a turnover of the housing to a younger population with school age children. These results are also reflected in the recent need for additional facilities in the Webster Central School System. It is interesting to note that there has not been a significant change in the population of the Village of Webster since the 1970 census .In that census, the population was listed as 5037 about 3% less than now. The 2000 Census shows that the Village of Webster is home to a highly educated population whose occupations include managers, professionals, or in technical, sales or administrative positions.
There are about 2362 housing units in the Village of Webster, of which 23% were built prior to 1940. The majority of people living in the village are renting their housing units (1277 rental units). There is a full range of housing, from apartments, to town houses, to homes with apartments, to single family units located in the village. In addition to the above types of housing, there are homes for people with special needs, who require special help and supervision. There is also a Nursing Home for people requiring either 24 hour care, or who need extra time to recover from an accident or other medical problem necessitating special therapy. There are two undeveloped parcels of land, in the village, that are currently zoned for residential use. Development of these parcels could increase the population of the Village of Webster by as much as 10%.
The Village of Webster residents are fortunate to have an excellent public school system for their children. Spry Middle School is located near the center of the Village. The building contains grades 6, 7, & 8 as well as the offices for the District Administration of the Webster Central School District. The percentage of the students passing New York State Regents exams in Comprehensive English is 92%, Mathematics-90%, Global History-87%, US History/Government-83%. After graduation, approximately 85% of the Webster students pursue college degrees. The District is also fortunate to have many extra-curricular opportunities at which students have excelled. The Webster Marching Band has been nationally ranked for several years and often competes on a national level. Students athletes consistently earn League, Sectional and State Championships. Many students have also earned All-American status in their individual sports. The Art program in Webster continues to earn national recognition through the National Scholastic Art Scholarship Program. The Webster Schools possess excellent educational and athletic facilities that are also available for use by the citizens of the Village of Webster. Two of the newest facilities are a track and field center and a state of the art aquatics center. The district offers an extensive Community Education Program to all residents, providing classes in a variety of subjects. These classes are offered in several locations throughout the district.
The Village of Webster is located approximately 12 miles from the center of the City of Rochester and as a result, people who live in the Village can easily attend Concerts at the Eastman Theater, Stage plays at several theaters, professional baseball games (Rochester Redwings), professional basketball games (Rochester Razor Sharks), professional soccer games (Rochester Rhinos), professional hockey games (Rochester Americans), and professional lacrosse games (Rochester Knight Hawks / Rochester Rattlers). There is an excellent museum in the Village that illustrates the history of the Village and Town of Webster as well as the people of the early 1900’s. In the Village on East Main Street, is the oldest active Grange in the United States, home to the Choral of the Genesee a renowned Barber shop group. During the summer months, the Webster Village Band performs at the Village owned band shell, located adjacent to a senior housing community.
There are four parks within the Village of Webster which provide a variety of facilities, the including tennis courts, baseball diamonds, playground equipment, and picnic areas. These include the Schantz Village Manor Park, the Milton R Case Memorial Park, the Wilmorite Playground and the Veterans Memorial Park located on North Avenue. The Veterans Memorial Park contains a Large Gazebo which is used for various celebrations during the year. The Town of Webster’s North Ponds Park is located just north of the Village boundary, and has facilities for hiking, picnicking, and fishing. A paved bike path, located adjacent to the expressway is easily accessible to Village residents. The Town of Webster Parks and Recreation center is located adjacent to the Village on Ebner drive. This department offers recreational activities as well as hot meals during the week, for both Town and Village senior citizens. There are a number of medical offices in the Village and there are excellent hospitals located a short distance from the Village. During summer and early fall months of the year, the Webster Farm Market is in full operation in the large parking area behind the Webster Baptist Church located in the center of the Village. Here, one can get an excellent sampling of the farm produce raised in the surrounding agricultural area as well as a warm conversation with neighbors and friends.
Sometimes forgotten, except on the rare occasions when they are unavailable, are the services people who live, work and own businesses in the Village enjoy. A regional utility provides natural gas and electric. Water is provided by the Village owned and operated well field. The Village Public Works Department plows the streets and sidewalks during the winter and maintains the roads and parks during the summer. Also once a month tree limbs are picked up year around, and in the fall leaves are picked up and composted by the Village. The Town of Webster Police Department protects citizens around the clock. Emergency services are provided by the Northeast Joint Fire District and Union Hill Ambulance. The Webster Village is also home to the Main Post Office serving people who live and work in the Town and Village of Webster as well as people in the surrounding community.
The Village of Webster is home to the main manufacturing and research centers for Xerox Corporation, which employs several thousand people. In addition to Xerox, there is another large Fortune 500 company, Paychex Corporation, leading national provider of employer and employee administrative services. There are also numerous smaller firms, farms and several large food processing plants in and around the Village that provide many seasonal and long term career opportunities to residents, and a strong financial base to the Village of Webster.
