Webster Museum

Webster History

Timeline

Woodhull Pond

Photo courtesy of the Webster Historian

Timeline

1669Robert LaSalle, French general and explorer, arrived at east side of Irondequoit Bay.
1687Marquis de Denonville came to Irondequoit Bay to start his famous march into Seneca territory.
1741 Seneca Indians deeded a 20 mile wide stretch of land which included Webster Park to the British.
1756 Sir William Johnson camped on Webster's shore enroute from Schenectady and Oswego to Fort Niagara.
1778 The Phelps and Gorham purchase of six million acres from Massachusetts included Webster.
1790 Land was set aside at West Webster for a cemetery which has been in continuous use.
1805 Caleb Lyon settled at Lyon's Point, present Nine Mile Point.
1806

A grist mill and sawmill were built on Four Mile Creek near Lake Road.

Abram Foster settled at Lyon's Point.

1810 Town of Penfield was organized.
1812

Letts' Tavern, the first inn, was built at corner of State and Webster-Fairport Roads.

A running battle between American and British ships was observed in the Webster Park - Nine Mile Point area (9/11/1813).

1814Methodism was recorded as growing in North Penfield (Webster).
1816

The year was known as the "cold summer." Frost was recorded every month except July.

Mulberry growing for silkworm industry was attempted.

1818

A stagecoach route was established between Rochesterville and Oswego.

The post office on Ridge Road West was opened.

1825

Webster Rural Cemetery was organized.

A Congregational Society was started by Reverend Asa Carpenter.

The milling industry was at its height .

1829 The Congregational Society became the Presbyterian Society.
1830

The first brick store was built in Webster Village .

Buttermilk Tavern and a brick store were built at corner of Ridge and Five Mile Line Roads.

1831 The Presbyterians erected a small edifice on South Avenue, the first church within Webster boundaries.
1832

The first Baptist church was constructed on South Avenue.

A Methodist church was built on Ridge Road, which became known as the "old" or "center church" .

1835 John Whiting built an elaborate house on Lake Road. the south portion of the Webster Park pavilion is part of the original building.
1840

Webster becomes a seperate town from Penfield.

Byron Woodhull was elected the first supervisor.

1844 The Universalist church was built of cobblestones on West Main Street.
1845 Burnett brickyard was started on Lake Road.
1849 The "Boston" church was erected on the Town Line Road - the second Methodist church.
1850 A town pump in the center of the four corners of the village furnished water for many families and travelers.
1851 The Union Cemetery was laid out on the Webster-Nine Mile Point Road.
1855 The Baptist congregation removed the original building on South Avenue and erected the present one of cobblestones.
1860

The first Evangelical church was erected on Salt Road.

Mississaugas Indians left the West Webster area and returned to Canada.

1861 Holy Trinity church was erected on Ridge Road.
1865 The first post office was started in Union Hill.
1867 A bridge was built across the outlet of Irondequoit Bay to complete the road across the sandbar.
1868 The first Lutheran church was erected at the corner of Ridge and Five Mile Line Roads.
1875

Episcopal services were held in the schoolhouse near Nine Mile Point.

The Lake Ontario Shore Railroad was started and sold to the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad.

1878 First baseball team of Webster was organized.
1880 Webster Grange was organized and the members held a picnic at Drake's Landing, present Glen Edith.
1881 First town library was started in a private home.
1888

The first newspaper of Webster, Webster Star, was established.

The community of Forest Lawn was begun.

The cornerstone of the Immanuel Lutheran church was laid.

1890 Bicycles appeared in town.
1891 The Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad was leased to the New York Central and Hudson Railroad.
1893 Town pumb was removed from the center of the four corners in the village.
1899

Dr. James E. Smith became Webster's first veterinarian.

The Webster Herald, Webster's present paper, was established.

Grange Hall was built on East Main Street.

Timeline continued 1900-

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WEBSTER MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
18 Lapham Park Webster, New York 14580 585.265.3308

Webster Museum