Penfield, NY

Penfield is a small town located in Monroe County, New York. The population was 10,827 at the 2010 census. Penfield is home to the Penfield Historical Society Museum and the Penfield Public Library.

The town of Penfield was first settled around 1796 by Nicholas and Sarah ( Henderson) Penfield. The town was named for Colonel George Augustus Frederick, Duke of Cumberland, who had fought in the American Revolution. In 1806, a sawmill was built on the banks of the Genesee River by Nicholas and John Henderson. The mill produced lumber for use in building homes and businesses in nearby Rochester. By 1810, there were twenty-six homes and businesses in Penfield.

In 1816, James Fenimore Cooper purchased land near Penfield to build his home, "The Woodlands". Cooper lived in "The Woodlands" until his death in 1840. In 1822, John Hays established a tannery on what is now known as South Main Street. By 1830 there were seventy-eight homes and businesses in Penfield.

In 1840, Ezra Cornell founded Cornell University on land that was donated by John Hays. By 1850 there were ninety-one homes and businesses in Penfield. In 1865, a railroad line was built through pen field connecting Rochester with Buffalo; this led to an increase in business activity and growth for the town of Penfield over the next several years. In 1870 there were 128 homes and businesses inPen field; by 1880 this number had increased to 201 homes and businesses."

Today's economy is based largely on agriculture with crops such as corn being grown commercially within Monroe County as well as other counties within New York State such as Wayne County which borders Monroe County to its south east corner along Lake Ontario . There are also numerous small family owned farms located throughout Monroe county which raises livestock including dairy cows , pigs , chickens etc . Additionally many people work at jobs within close proximity to their residences such as at local factories or retail stores . There has been an increase over recent years both residential property values & commercial real estate values within pen field due primarily to its location - being situated just minutes from downtown Rochester & Buffalo - making it an ideal place to live , work & raise a family .