Le Roy, NY

Le Roy is a small town in Monroe County, New York, located about 25 miles north of Rochester. The population was 2,814 at the 2010 census. Le Roy is known for its antique shops and its location on the Genesee River.

The first Europeans to visit what would become Le Roy were the French in 1686. The town was founded in 1792 by Nicholas LeRoy and named after his father, General James LeRoy. Early settlers included farmers, millers and blacksmiths who set up shop along the banks of the Genesee River. In 1828, a sawmill was built on the river and soon afterward mills began producing textiles for export to Europe. By 1840 there were more than 20 businesses in town including a flour mill, a brewery and two tanneries.

During the Civil War, Le Roy served as a supply depot for Union troops marching southward from Canada. After the war ended, new businesses began to open including a foundry and several shoe factories which helped spur growth into the early 1900s. In 1917 an ice plant was built which helped make Le Roy one of Monroe County's leading industrial centers; by 1930 there were more than 50 businesses operating in town including two paper mills, three textile mills and two meatpacking plants.

The Great Depression hit Le Roy hard; many businesses closed or went out of business due to low demand for products produced locally during that time period. However, by World War II things had started to turn around with several new businesses opening including an aluminum plant and a munitions factory which helped support local jobs through production during wartime years.

Since World War II there has been continued growth in both population and business activity in Le Roy; today it is one of Monroe County's leading commercial centers with over 100 businesses operating within its boundaries including several major corporations such as Xerox Corporation (formerly Haloid Corporation), Eastman Kodak Company (formerly Eastman Kodak Company) and Bausch & Lomb Incorporated (formerly Bausch & Lomb Optical). The community has also seen significant investment in infrastructure with new roads being constructed throughout recent years which has helped make it easier for residents to get around town while also supporting economic development opportunities outside of downtown area