Medina, New York

Medina is a village in the Towns of Shelby and Ridgeway in Orleans County, New York, United States. The population was 6,065 at the 2010 census, making it the county's most populous municipality. The village was named by its surveyor, Ebenezer Mix.[3] It is part of the Rochester Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Medina zip code, 14103, encompasses the village of Medina and the surrounding towns of Ridgeway and Shelby.[4] The United States Census Bureau estimates the 2017 population of this area to be 17,234.[5]

Medina
Village
Main and Center Street junction
Location in Orleans County and the state of New York.
Location of New York in the United States
Coordinates: 43°13′13″N 78°23′12″W
Country United States
State New York
CountyOrleans
Settled1817
Incorporated1832
Government
 • TypeEmpire
 • MayorMike Sidari
Area
 • Total3.38 sq mi (8.74 km2)
 • Land3.30 sq mi (8.54 km2)
 • Water0.08 sq mi (0.20 km2)
Elevation
525 ft (160 m)
Highest elevation
(S border of village near SW corner along NY 31)
590 ft (180 m)
Lowest elevation
(Glenwood Lake)
453 ft (138 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total6,065
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
5,656
 • Density1,714.46/sq mi (662.00/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Code
14103
Area code(s)585
FIPS code36-46415
GNIS feature ID0956905
Wikimedia CommonsMedina, New York
Websitewww.VillageMedina.org

The village developed after construction of the Erie Canal, which bends as it passes through the village, creating a basin that served as a stopover point. This became the center of businesses that served trade and passenger traffic on canal boats. In addition, mills were constructed on Oak Orchard Creek to take advantage of its water power. The fertile lands around the village yielded fruit which was exported to major markets of New York City and west via the canal. At the start of the 20th century, Medina was a thriving industrial town.

Medina is located about an hour drive from two major cities, Rochester and Buffalo. It is also about 30 minutes from two small cities, Batavia and Lockport.

History

Joseph Ellicott, the agent of the Holland Land Company, once owned land that encompassed part of the village. With the opening of the Erie Canal through Medina, the village enjoyed more trade and business associated with freight and passengers on canal boats.

The Village of Medina was incorporated March 3, 1832, creating an entity contained within the two towns of Ridgeway and Shelby.[3] That same year the first printing press was set up in the village and the first newspaper published, The Medina Herald.[6]

Medina Sandstone

Medina is known for its Medina Sandstone, a stone used widely in buildings across the region.[7] Some local examples include the "million dollar staircase" at the New York State Capitol in Albany,[8] the Richardson Olmsted Complex in Buffalo,[9] and in buildings at the University of Rochester and Cornell University.[10] Sandstone varies in color from light grey to a deep reddish brown.[11]

The first commercial sandstone quarry was opened in 1837 by John Ryan.[12] At their peak, sandstone quarries were one of the largest employers in the county with upwards of 2,000 employees.[12] With the discovery of cheaper alternatives, Medina Sandstone's popularity began to decline around World War 1.[12]

POW Camp

Medina's Heinz factory housed a POW camp from 1943-1946.[13] 71 Italian soldiers arrived at the Heinz barracks in September 1943.[14] They were allowed to work at the Heinz factory, local farms, or other local factories.[14] In May 1944, the Italian soldiers were moved to a new location and replaced with 116 German soldiers.[15]

During their tenure in Medina, the German prisoners went on strike to protest the smoking regulations at the Heinz factory.[16] The soldiers wanted to smoke in the factory building and on the loading platforms.[16] After having all of their possessions removed and not being allowed to sleep in the barracks, all of the soldiers voluntarily returned to work the following day.[16]

In 1946, the Heinz camp was closed and all remaining prisoners were moved to local military installations in preparation for their return to Germany.[17] During its use, the Heinz barracks housed up to 300 soldiers and 50 military police.[17]

Recent history

In 2015, village residents voted to keep Medina an incorporated village,[18] despite having the highest effective property tax rate in the Finger Lakes region according to a 2016 Empire Center report.[19]

The Main Street Historic District, Medina Armory, and United States Post Office are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[20] The Payjack Chevrolet Building was added in 2012 and Boxwood Cemetery in 2015.[21][22]

Geography

Medina is located at 43°13′11″N 78°23′24″W (43.219808, -78.390101).[23]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2), of which 3.3 square miles (8.5 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (2.39%) is water.

Medina lies at the junction of east-west highway NYS Route 31 and north-south highway NYS Route 63. In addition, Medina marks the location where NYS Route 31E and NYS Route 31A split off from NY-31.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18702,821—
18803,63228.7%
18904,49223.7%
19004,7165.0%
19105,68320.5%
19206,0115.8%
19306,0711.0%
19405,871−3.3%
19506,1795.2%
19606,6818.1%
19706,415−4.0%
19806,392−0.4%
19906,6864.6%
20006,415−4.1%
20106,065−5.5%
2019 (est.)5,656[2]−6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[24]

As of the census[25] of 2000, there were 6,415 people, 2,567 households, and 1,576 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,962.1 people per square mile (757.4/km2). There were 2,796 housing units at an average density of 855.2 per square mile (330.1/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 87.89% White, 7.56% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.62% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.83% of the population.

There were 2,567 households, out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $30,300, and the median income for a family was $37,857. Males had a median income of $31,857 versus $21,633 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,138. About 13.0% of families and 16.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

Over the years Medina has been home to many different populations. St. John's Episcopal Church was the first church in Medina, consecrated in 1828.[26] In the following decade, the First United Presbyterian, First Baptist, United Methodist, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Churches were built. German immigrants started arriving in the 1880s and 1890s and built Trinity Evangelical Lutheran and St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran.[26]

At the turn of the century, the Polish community had grown so large that they built Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church in 1910.[26] In 1930, the African American community built Glad Tidings Missionary Baptist Church.[26] Grace Baptist Church, an off shoot from another local Baptist church in Shelby, was built next.[26]

More recently the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Fountain of Love, the Islamic Center, Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, Grace Covenant, Holiness Pentecostal, and Morning Star of God in Christ have opened.[26] The Church of God Pentecostal purchased the former United Methodist Church in 2016.[27] In 2017, the Akron Free Methodist Church leased the former Sacred Heart Catholic Church and began having services.[28] Of the 15+ churches and religious institutions that have operated in Medina, 11 are still in the village.

Medina is featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not for St. John's Episcopal Church, known as the "Church in the Middle of the Road".[29]

"Church In The Middle of the Street" made of Medina Sandstone

Government

Local

Medina is governed by a mayor and 4 trustees. Each position has a 2 year term.

County

See: Orleans County, New York

State
  • The 62nd Senate District represented by Senator Rob Ortt
  • The 139th Assembly District represented by Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Federal
  • The 27th Congressional District was formerly represented by Congressman Chris Collins, until his resignation in 2019 after pleading guilty to insider trading.
  • US Senators representing New York State are Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand

Courts
  • The 8th Judicial Division of the New York Supreme Court
  • The 4th Department of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division

Economy

Medina is home to several international, national, and local businesses. Medina is also becoming a tourist attraction because of its historic downtown and location on the Niagara Wine Trail.[30]

Business

Here is a listing of some of the larger businesses in the area.[31]

  • Baxter International- Baxter has one of their many facilities located in Medina. They manufacture a multitude of products for the healthcare industry, including IV infusion pumps and pharmacy automation.[32]
  • Velocitii, who specialize in business process outsourcing, opened in 2014. Their 20,000 square foot customer engagement center employs agents able to assist companies both domestic and international with sales, back-office, and customer support. Currently, Velocitii employs over 50 full-time employees across various industries including insurance, healthcare and medical, as well as software and technology.
  • Brunner International- Brunner International is a family owned business located in Medina since 1992.[33] A second facility is located in Niagara Falls, NY.[33] They produce parts for commercial vehicles, buses, and trailers.[33]
  • Hinspergers Poly Industries- Hinspergers produces protective polyethylene covers.[34]
  • Pride Pak Canada- Pride Pak Canada opened a facility in Medina in 2016.[35] They package salads and fresh-cut vegetables.[35]
  • Takeform- Takeform, a signage company, is headquartered in Medina. They have won numerous awards in their field and own multiple patents.[36]
  • Western New York Energy- In May 2006, New York Governor George Pataki announced the construction in Medina of the first ethanol plant in the Northeastern United States. The plant began receiving deliveries of corn in October 2007[37] and was expected to start production in November 2007.[38] Partial production began shortly thereafter, and full production was announced by GreenShift Corporation on February 25, 2008.[39] Since that time, the Western New York Energy, LLC plant has been in production, processing significant portions of the local corn crop.[40]

Tourism

Medina is starting to grow as a popular tourist spot, appearing in several blogs and papers. The events, restaurants, and atmosphere of this small village have wide ranging appeal.[41][42][43][44][45][46][47]

Arts and entertainment

There are several cultural and educational opportunities in Medina.[48] For those looking to make their own art, visit Brushstrokes Studios. Brushstrokes is a paint your own pottery shop.[49] If you're more adventurous get locked in a room at Into the Enigma; you only have 1 hour to solve the puzzles and escape.[50] You can also visit the Medina Railroad Museum, one of the largest railroad and toy train museums in the state of New York. Ripley's Believe It or Not notes "the Culvert", as the only place where the Erie Canal passes over an operating road.[51]

Bars and restaurants

Medina has a variety of bars and restaurants to enjoy.[48] 810 Meadworks is the first meadery in western New York.[52] Zambistro is a locally owned fine dining restaurant and caterer which opened in 2006.[53] Fitzgibbons Public House is a casual pub with Irish food.[54] Mariachi de Oro serves authentic Mexican food and has been well reviewed in WNY.[55][56] Medina also offers a variety of pizza shops, diners, and fast food options.

Medina has 2 stops on the Niagara Wine Trail, 810 Meadworks and Leonard Oakes Estate Winery.[57] Leonard Oakes Winery has won multiple awards for their wines, including best ice wine in New York.[58]

Historic Downtown

Medina's downtown area has been designated a historic district and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Bent's Opera House is included in this district, a historic venue for touring performers.

Education

Medina has two K-12 schools, the Medina Central School District and the Orleans County Christian School. The Medina Central School District is composed of Oak Orchard Elementary, Clifford Wise Intermediate Middle and the Medina High School.[59] All three buildings are located on the same campus. The Orleans County Christian School is a non-denominational, multi-church sponsored school.[60]

A branch campus of Genesee Community College is located in Medina.

Culture and recreation

Park lands

The village has 7 different parks; all of which are open to the public from dawn til dusk. The majority of parks have swings, slides, and picnic tables; Rotary Park located on Main Street and the Medina Canal Basin park do not.[61]

  • Gulf Street Park
  • Gwinn Street Park
  • John E Butts Memorial Park - Also has an outdoor skating rink in the winter, a skateboard park, and baseball diamonds.[61]
  • Medina Canal Basin Park - Offers docking facilities, electrical hook up, pump-out station, and potable water.[61]
  • Pine Street Park
  • Rotary Park - All Season House, used by Santa in November and December.[61]
  • State Street Park

Annual events
  • Ale in Autumn - Enjoy walking around downtown Medina while sampling a beers from around the world.[62]
  • Olde Tyme Christmas and Parade of Lights - Annual event held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Enjoy shopping and activities during the day and fireworks and the Parade of Lights in the evening.[63]
  • Wine about Winter - Walk around Medina, sampling local and state wines.[64]
  • Sweets in Summer - Sweets tastings throughout the Historic Downtown area.

Media

Medina had several newspapers throughout the years, starting with The Medina Herald.[6] The Medina Tribune, The Medina Register, and The Medina Daily Journal followed. The Register and Journal merged becoming The Medina Daily Journal and Register. The shortened Medina Journal-Register closed its doors in May 2014.

Additional facts

One of the oldest homes in Medina stood at 224 Eagle Street, a block from the Erie Canal, on the north side of town. This home was built in the early 1820s and was purchased by the Burnam family in the 1830s. It stayed in the possession of family members until around 1984. The house was torn down in 2012.

The Carl Company was a department store founded as a dry good store in Medina by Charles W. Carl, Sr.[65]

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "Let's Look Back...An Account of The Pioneer Origins of Medina, NY". The Journal-Register. 14 July 1982.
  4. "Interactive Zipcode 14103 Map Codes". unitedstateszipcodes.org/. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  5. "U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts". census.gov/quickfacts/. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  6. "1922: Journal Review". The Journal-Register. 30 August 1976.
  7. Medina Sandstone Archived 2008-06-13 at the Wayback Machine, on ErieCanalMedina.com
  8. Lattin, C.W. (20 April 1983). "Rethinking of Old Orleans". The Journal-Register.
  9. Rivers, Tom (23 February 2013). "Medina Sandstone in Buffalo Spotlight". The Daily News.
  10. Prospectus...Medina Sandstone Quarries. Medina, NY. 1899. p. 6.
  11. Landmarks of Orleans County. Signor. 1894. p. 153.
  12. Hudnut, Jim (8 February 1985). "Only Memories Remain Of Sandstone Industry". The Journal-Register.
  13. "PW Camp Closes at Medina". Democrat and Chronicle. 12 February 1946.
  14. "Italian Prisoners Arrive Here For Work In Processing Plants Replacing Army Men". Medina Daily Journal. 29 September 1943.
  15. Rich, Virginia (29 May 1944). "Medina Gets 116 Soldiers for Plant Job". Democrat and Chronicle.
  16. "Local Prisoners Back At Work Following Strike Here Friday". Medina Daily Journal. 7 August 1944.
  17. "Medina Prison Camp Closed as PW's Are Being Evacuated". Medina Daily Journal. 11 February 1946.
  18. McDermott, Meagan (21 January 2015). "Medina voters say 'No' to dissolution". Democrat and Chronicle.
  19. "Medina had Highest Tax Rate in Finger Lakes". Empire Center. Retrieved 26 Jul 2018.
  20. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  21. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/07/12 through 5/11/12. National Park Service. 2012-05-18.
  22. "National Register of Historic Places Listings". Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/26/15 through 1/30/15. National Park Service. 2015-02-06.
  23. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  24. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  25. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  26. Grinnell, E.W. (1996). Medina, Here's to Our Heritage. Medina Area Historical Society. pp. 269–282.
  27. Rivers, Tom. "Bell in Historic Medina Church Removed". OrleansHub. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  28. Rivers, Tom. "Church from Akron will Reopen Former Sacred Heart Site in Medina for Services". OrleansHub. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  29. Saint John's Episcopal - Church in the Middle of the Road
  30. Richard, Mike (18 Dec 2014). "Small Town Travel: 7 Reasons to Visit Medina, NY". Vagabondish. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  31. "Chamber of Commerce Directory". Orleans Chamber of Commerce. 22 Oct 2018.
  32. "About Us". Baxter. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  33. "About Us". Brunner International. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  34. "About Us". Hinspergers Poly Industries. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  35. Milligan, Noah (11 Nov 2015). "Pride Pak Canada Processing 200 Jobs in Medina". New York Just Good News. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  36. "Awards and Patents". Takeform. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  37. Slide Show on Niagara Gazette, October 25, 2007
  38. ORLEANS COUNTY: First corn received at new ethanol plant, Journal Register, October 26, 2007
  39. GreenShift Press Release
  40. Western NY Energy LLC Website
  41. "Weekend Getaway". https://buffalovebirds.com/. 22 Oct 2018. Retrieved 25 Oct 2018. External link in |website= (help)
  42. Richard, Mike (30 May 2014). "7 Reasons To Visit Medina". Vagabondish. Retrieved 25 Oct 2018.
  43. "Only Tunnel Under the Erie Canal". Roadside America. Oct 2012. Retrieved 25 Oct 2018.
  44. "Third Annual Farm to Table Dinner". Skoog Farm Journal. 2 Aug 2018. Retrieved 25 Oct 2018.
  45. Krencik, Jim (3 Jul 2017). "Medina's Farm to Table Dinner". The Daily News. Retrieved 25 Oct 2018.
  46. "Tamales and Tequila". Succulents and sunnies. Retrieved 5 Nov 2018.
  47. Bond, Francesca (27 March 2019). "Medina's Small-Town Culinary and Cultural Renaissance". Buffalo News. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  48. "Medina Business Association". 22 Oct 2018.
  49. "Brushstrokes Studios". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  50. "Into the Enigma". Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  51. Culvert Under the Erie Canal Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Low Bridge Productions
  52. "810 Meadworks". 810 Meadworks. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  53. "Zambistro". Zambistro. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  54. "Fitzgibbons Pub". Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  55. Galarneau, Andrew (22 June 2012). "Mariachi de Oro's menu reflects food from home in-family run place". Buffalo News Gusto. Retrieved 16 Jan 2019.
  56. Galarneau, Andrew (8 Jan 2019). "10 WNY places to explore deeper into Mexican menus, beyond tacos". Buffalo News Gusto. Retrieved 16 Jan 2019.
  57. "Niagara Wine Trail Map". https://niagarawinetrail.org. Retrieved 26 June 2018. External link in |website= (help)
  58. Diefenbach, Mallory (10 Aug 2017). "Leonard Oakes Honored for States Best Ice Wine". thedailynewsonline.com/. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  59. "Medina Central School District". medinacsd.org/. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  60. "Orleans County Christian School". orleanscountychristianschool.com/. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  61. "Parks". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  62. "Ale in Autumn". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  63. "Olde Tyme Christmas". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  64. "Wine about Winter". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  65. "Carl Company Records" (PDF).
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