Kanestio Historical Society

Another of the bathtub races!

Wednesday is Steuben railroad miniseries day! Having looked at Corning-area trolleys on December 23, we now turn to the Hornell Traction Company (variously nam...ed over time), which ran through the city and down to Canisteo, where it made a loop and returned. Two miles south of Hornell and three miles north of Canisteo, the company built a resort or amusement park (common practice to stimulate ridership on trolley lines). The trolleys ran from 1892 to 1926 before autos killed them off, and some of the cars were sold for... chicken coops. We understand that one car survives at the New York Museum of Transportation in Rush. This post card gives us a good view of the power pole angling up to the overhead lines. See more

If you are out and about in Canisteo, stop by our building on Main Street and check out these interesting and informative window displays put together by Steve Cotton. One centers around George J Burd & Son's Lumber, and the other around Gielen & Son's Junk Yard. Please see the captions for each photo for more information. If you have any memories or stories of these businesses, we'd love to hear them! KHS works to record and preserve our town's history. Our winter hours are Fridays, from 1 to 3, or by appointment. We'd love to see you!

Anybody remember the old movie theater in Canisteo? Feel free to share any good memories! Many of our communities had movies on the weekends at least, sometim...es in a town hall, hotel, or similar space. But there were dedicated theaters (sometimes more than one at a time) in Addison, Bath, Canisteo, Corning, Hammondsport, Hornell, Painted Post, and Wayland... not to mention the three drive-ins (Painted Post, Bath, and near Arkport). Did we miss any? See more

NYP Train Wreck photos. These photos are from a book by Paul Pietack about the Coudersport & Port Allgany and New York & Pennsylvania Railroads, published in 1975. We have copies the NYP book, a Locomotive and Railroad History Society publication from 1935 giving the history of the NYP, along with other information about NYP at the Historical Society. Come see us! We're open on Fridays, from 1-3, or by appointment.

Welcome to the Kanestio Historical Society Facebook page! We're glad you're here, whether you're a local, someone farther away who will always call Canisteo home, or if you're researching the area your ancestors came from. We hope you will find photos, information and interesting tidbits about our wonderful town. We have monthly meetings and programs, and a FANTASTIC museum filled with our history. We hope you'll come on down and visit us!

Check out our Book Shop via the KHS website. We have many books about our local history that would make a great gift this holiday season. http://www.kanestiohistoricalsociety.com/khs-book-store/

NYP Shops located between second and third street (near Depot), where Byrd's Saw Mill was later located.

Photos by A.B. Stebbins of the Great Flood of 1889. The main damage to the town was caused by the water from Purdy Creek coming down the mill race that was cut from the creek at South Elm and came down Maple Street to the Tannery on Main Street. One side of the newly built fire hall collapsed. Houses floated down the street. Many buildings and structures were damaged or destroyed.

Looking for a unique gift? Stop in to the Kanestio Historical Society for our "Yesterday's Treasures" sale. We also have many books about local history. We're open Thursdays and Friday, 1-3. We are keeping safe by following COVID-19 safety precautions. Please wear a mask, and stay six feet from others. Thank you..

The Silk Mill, on Russell Street, was built around 1905 by Mr. J.P. Huguet. It was later a war industry company, spinning silk for parachutes during WWII. At its peak, the mill employed about 200 people, working two shifts. It was demolished in 1992

F.E. Williams in front of his furniture story on Greenwood Street. His building was between what was Smith's Furniture the Wesleyan Church.

The Canisteo Ruler & Yardstick Company. This building is still standing on Depot Street. Anyone have a ruler from this factory? We have several in the museum.