Early History
The village was first settled in 1810 by Reuben Perkins, who purchased 329 and 1/2 acres of former Indian territory from New York State. The village was incorporated in 1835, when it was a booming Erie Canal Town.What's in a Name?
Kniste Stota was the first name of the village, a term used by the
local Indian population meaning "cluster of pines" and
"still".
The story goes that there was a spot between Center and James Streets
(near
the library) where three pines grew. The top of the center tree had
fallen
and lodged itself between the branches of the other two, thereby
creating
a shady resting place from the summer sun. Thus, the pine tree has been
adopted as a common emblem by many local businesses and
organizations.
Early beginnings . . .
| 1829: Post office established. | 1902: Carnegie library building |
| 1831: Population = 406 | 1911: Hospital opened |
| 1839: Syr-Utica Railroad train stop | 1920: Diemolding Corp |
| 1850: Population = 1000 | 1928: Canastota Airport |
| 1863: First Fire Company | 1949: Fire at Chapel St. School |
| 1865: Bee Journal | 1954: Thruway exit opened. |
| 1873: Peterboro St. fire | 1957: Owl Wire |
| 1874: Canastota Knife Co. | 1967: Canal Town Corp. formed |
| 1891: Police Department | 1996: Population = 4686 |
| 1900: Milk plant ( now Queensboro) |
| Canastota's Village Historian, David Sadler, holds
office hours from
9-11:30 am on Tuesdays at the Municipal Building.
E-mail him at davidsadler_13043@yahoo.com. |
Historical Resources
Housed in one of the oldest structures in the village, the museum exhibits artifacts and authentic canal memorabilia.
Included in the museum's collection are pictures, slides, books, cemetary files, news clippings, and local genealogy information.
closed November-March
April-May: 11 am-3 pm, Tuesday-Friday
June-August: 10 am -4 pm M-F & 10-1 Sat.
September-October: 11 am-3 pm, Tuesday-Friday
Admission by donation.
Telephone: (315) 697-3451
The International Boxing Hall of Fame and Museum
Celebrating Canastota's legacy of raising boxing champions,
the International Boxing Hall of Fame held its first ribbon cutting
and induction ceremonies in 1989. Since then, parades of champions have
visited Canastota for the annual inductions (June).
Admission: $4 adults, $3 seniors & children
Telephone: (315) 697-7095
Visit the Hall of Fame's web site at www.ibhof.com to learn more!
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