Batavia Walking Tour

Introduction

In 1791 Robert Morris – “Financier of the American Revolution” – purchased from Massachusetts four million acres. This area was broken into several Land Tracts, the largest of 3.5 million acres was the Holland Purchase. Six banking houses in Amsterdam, Holland bought land as an association of individuals who were eager to invest in this region.

Their business transactions were conducted by Theophile Cazenove and later by Paolo Busti of Philadelphia, the General Agents. Joseph Ellicott was commissioned in 1798 to survey the purchase and was hired as the local agent responsible for the selling of land in Western New York.

Settlers had to record their deeds in Canandaigua, and Ontario County leveled high taxes on company lands. With the establishment of Genesee County these problems were resolved.

Taking its name from the Seneca word meaning “Beautiful Valley”, Genesee County included lands from the Genesee River to Lake Erie and from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania border. Ellicott proposed to name the village Busti or Bustiville in honor of Paolo Busti. At Mr. Busti’s suggestion, it was named Batavia in honor of the Dutch land owners, the name coming from the Republic of Batavia, which was the area of the Netherlands before 1806. The first Holland Land Office in Batavia was a two story log cabin built in 1802. This temporary structure was torn down a year later and the land office was moved into a small frame building, which eventually became the east wing of the mansion Joseph Ellicott built. The Holland Land Office Museum was the third land office.

Ellicott’s report described Batavia to the land company as “a post town and seat of justice of the County of Genesee and residence of the Sub-Agent of the Holland Land Company. This village is situated in exactly the 43rd degree of north latitude. The first tree where the village now stands was cut down by your Sub-Agent for the purpose of making an opening in the woods… to make this establishment in the month of April 1801. At this period the whole territory was one huge forest and extended wilderness. The Village of Batavia… has increased in population… containing 400 souls.”

Holland Land Office Museum
131 West Main Street

The Holland Land Office was built on the bend of the Tonawanda. This location was known to the Senecas as the “Great Hearing Place” and was a gathering spot for local Indian councils. The 20 inch thick walled building was constructed as a fireproof business office for the sale of Western New York lands. After construction it was determined that the bank of the creek was wearing away from floods that occasionally inundated the creek; it consequently became necessary to build a wall of stone to preserve the bank.

This federal style building was constructed in 1815 from gray cut limestone. The portico was completed in 1816 and is supported by Doric pillars. The ground floor included four identically sized rooms, each warmed by its own fireplace. Vaults were fitted on the east and west walls secured by half-inch thick, nine foot tall metal doors that are hinged in stone. The vault storage protected the land company’s money and legal papers. The cost for building construction and retainer wall was $8,593, which was paid by the Holland Land Company.

Chronological History of Property Owners

In 1961 the Holland Land Office became a Registered National Historic Landmark. The national Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior selected this building because of its role in developing Western New York and for “possessing exceptional value in commemorating and illustrating the history of the United States.”

The museum includes four ground floor display rooms exhibiting artifacts that illustrate the County’s history. This collection contains prehistoric Mastodon bones, Seneca items military equipment, textiles, and household goods. Periodic exhibit changes highlight new donations and different aspects of the collection.

PaoloBusti Park
West Main Street

In 1970 the Urban Renewal Agency removed old buildings that were located on either side of the Holland Land Office Museum. Using $25,000 given by the State of New York this area was developed into the Paolo Busti Park and includes areas on the east and west sides of the Museum. The greenspan was enhanced by installing benches and planting trees. On October 27, 1984 the Paolo Busti Cultural Foundation of Genesee County dedicated a monument in honor of Paolo Busti, the General Agent of the Holland Land Company. This twelve foot, black granite obelisk includes three bronze plaques that record this man’s contributions toward development of Western New York the development of Western New York and parts of Pennsylvania. A profile of Mr. Busti is featured in relief on the north side of the monument.

Historic District

On January 25, 1983 the GENESEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE HISTORIC DISTRICT was placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places. The building are considered architecturally and historically significant and include the Genesee County Jail, Batavia City Hall, United States Post Office, Genesee County Courthouse, Genesee County Building No. 1, and the Soldiers’ Monument. This Historic District was created to preserve the only section of Main Street that is still relatively intact. In addition to representing popular architecture from the middle nineteenth and early twentieth century architectural styles, these five government buildings reflect the prominence of Batavia, as a county seat.

Genesee County
Sheriff’s Office
14 West Main Street 

* “In 1902-03 this two story brick and red Medina sandstone building, designed by William J. Beardsley of Poughkeepsie, was constructed to house the sheriff and his family in the front portion with the County Jail in the read. In 1974 the residential section became the offices for the sheriff’s department. A modern jail facility was added to the old jail section in 1985-86. the five turrets, raised foundation, segmentally arched lintels, and quoins are of rusticated sandstone. The building’s massing and the use of rough masonry create a fortress-like effect. Beardsley was also the architect of the State Prison at Attica and the Courthouses in Dutchess, Greene, Livingston, Putnam, Nassau and Franklin Counties. He maintained a practice in Poughkeepsie for forty years until his death in 1934. This building is included in the Genesee County Courthouse Historic District.”

Batavia City Hall
10 West Main Street

* “This, the former George Brisbane residence built in 1853, is a large rectangular brick structure, six bays wide across the façade, with a low-pitched hipped roof. The ornament at the roofline is especially ornate with foliated molding in the frieze and details and modillions at the cornice. The windows have round-headed arches and are slightly recessed. A wrap-around porch has been removed except for the section at the entrance including the four square columns with Corinthian capitals. After extensive restoration, which was designed by Frank Homelius, this building became the Batavia City Hall in 1918. The cupola, removed in 1960, was restored by the Landmark Society of Genesee County in 1983. This building is included in the Genesee County Courthouse Historic District.”

Engine House
1 West Main Street

* “In 1885, on the site of Joseph Ellicott’s first mill, William H. Homelius designed a two room brick shelter to house the pumps that brought water from the Tonawanda Creek to the village water mains. In 1893 Mr. Homelius was again employed to add a larger section fronting on Main Street to serve as the Municipal Building. The brick masonry work was done by E.J. Dellinger of Batavia as designed by Mr. Homelius. The new structure housed the equipment on the first floor to generate electricity for the village streets with a meeting room for the Board of Aldermen on the second floor. When Batavia became a city in 1915, the city aldermen moved to Ellicott Hall. The Municipal Building was still used as a water pumping station, sewerage pumping station, and the power station generating electricity for the street lights. In 1948 the structure became the main station house for the City of Batavia Fire Department until the new firehouse on Evans Street was completed in 1978. In 1979 this structure with the intricate brick design and four different towers, came very close to being demolished. However, Mr. James Dennis of Bowmansville, New York bought the vacated building and adapted it for use as a restaurant in 1980 with a firehouse motif. The building was used as a restaurant until the spring of 1993, when it closed.”

Upton Monument

After three years of discussion regarding design and payment, the city and county financed the monument located at the intersection of Rts. 5 & 63. The cost for this project was $15,000 (the county paid $10,000 and the city $5,000). The monument was dedicated on August 5, 1919 to the sacrifices made by Genesee County during the Civil War and the foreign wars thereafter. Its official title is the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument The granite obelisk stands 36 feet high, topped by a ball with four mooring rings on all sides. Perched above the ball is a bronze eagle with out-stretched wings. The figure facing west is labeled General Emory Upton. Although General Upton was a local Civil War hero, it has never been established whether the statue was intended to resemble him or merely to represent an officer from that war. General Upton was a graduate of West Point and was promoted to his rank at the age of twenty five. The monument was designed by Charles A. Worden and created by the Worden-Crawford Monument Works. This monument is included in the Genesee County Courthouse Historic District.

Genesee Court Courthouse Facility

The Court Facilities Act was adopted in 1987 by the New York State Legislature. In 1992 The Federal Government enacted the Americans with Disabilities Act. Both of these acts require counties to bring their court facilities into compliance with specific standards as established by the Office of Court Administration. Since 1988 Genesee County and the City of Batavia have been working jointly in developing a compliance plan. Much consideration was given to rehabilitate the old courthouse, reusing or reconstructing other buildings, but possible solution led to the construction of a new facility.

The two story structure will cost $9 million and will be built by the architect and engineering firm of MRB Group, Inc. of Rochester, New York. The new facility will house the County, Supreme, Surrogate and City Courts, Grand Jury and Community Dispute Settlement, the offices of the Commissioner of Jurors, District Attorney, Law Guardian, Law Library and the Public Defender. The construction is estimated to take 18 months and the new courthouse facility is scheduled to open in 1997.

St. James Rectory
10 Ellicott Street

* “The ‘old St. James Church Rectory’ was built in 1836 from the brick salvaged from the original St. James Episcopal Church constructed in 1815 and replaced by a stone church in 1836. These bricks had been made in a local kiln on Cedar Street and were taken by ox cart to this site. The cut stone lintels and sills came from the Redfield farm on the west end of the village. In 1909, when the rectory was no longer needed by the church, it was sold to the Batavia Lodge No. 950, Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. The E.N. Rowell Box Factory were the next owners in 1918. The company used the building for storage and as a print shop. The City of Batavia Urban Renewal Agency acquired the property in 1974 with the intention of demolishing the structure. However, in 1977 the Landmark Society of Genesee County bought the building and restored the exterior and part of the interior. Attorney Stephen B. Hughs purchased the structure in 1980 and completed the rehabilitation of the building. A law firm occupies the first floor and an abstract company is located on the second floor. The front entrance as well as the woodwork and the stairway in the first floor hall are original to the building.”

Ellicott Street Water Tank
10 Ellicott Street

During 1929 the city experienced an all-day water shortage. The Ellicott Street Water Tank was built to insure that Batavia had a day’s supply of water Construction began in September of 1938 and was completed August 21, 1939. At a cost of $175,000 this 1,500,000-gallon water tank was a W.P.A (Works Progress Administration) project. The construction company was Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Company of Pittsburgh, PA. and John Lennon & Son Company of Batavia was the sub-contractor. The storage tank has a center support column, which is surrounded by twenty-eight steel pillars. The location for the water tank was selected to give the maximum fire protection to business district. According to the local newspaper in 1939 “it is said to be the highest elevated tank of its capacity in the world”. In 1983 the water tank was re-painted at a cost of $89,625. The top of the tank is painted in a red and white check design. [As a further note a second water tank was built in 1967 and is located at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center.]

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church
20 Ellicott Street 

Beginning in 1817 Catholic services were held in Genesee County by missionary priests. In 1849 St. Joseph’s Parish was organized and all Catholics attended that church until 1904, when a second parish was established. St. Mary’s was founded to serve the western half of the Village of Batavia, and the first Mass was held on February 19, 1906. The church was built by a local contractor, John Pickert, who began building on July 31, 1906. It was designed by John H. Copeland and is constructed of rusticated Medina sandstone. The stained glass windows were designed by Leo P. Frohe, from the Art Glass Studio in Buffalo. The glass used in these windows depicts the life of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to whom the church is dedicated.

As St. Joseph’s church was replaced with a modern building in 1970, St. Mary’s is the oldest Catholic Church in Batavia. The architectural style is Gothic and design elements used include the bell tower, pointed arched windows, and small side projections suggesting buttress. Please note the use of the cross as an architectural detail.

Gas Holder
17 Evans Street

* “The streets of the Village of Batavia and many homes were illuminated by gas lights from 1855 until 1885, when the first electric lights were installed. Originally there were two such round structures built to store gas manufactured from crude oil by the Batavia Gas Light Company. The first one, built in 1855 with a capacity of 13,500 cubic feet, was eventually demolished because of deterioration. This gas holder was built in 1878 with a capacity of 35,000 cubic feet. Since 1901 this structure has been used for storage by the Roberts Brothers Milling Company, Granger and Company, presently by Topnotch Foods. This gas holder is a rare surviving industrial structure. In addition to Batavia the cities of Utica and Saratoga Springs are among the few in New York State to retain examples.”

Genesee County Building #1
Main & Courts Streets

Genesee County Building #1 is located on the site of Ellicott Hall, which in 1802 was the first Courthouse West of the Genesee River. (It was destroyed by a fire in 1919). Rochester architects, Bohacket and Brew designed this Neo-Classical Revival brick building which was built for just over $150,000. George W. Buchholtz, who was a former Supervisor for the City was responsible for overseeing construction. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors in this building was held on July 6, 1927. [Genesee County was governed by the Board of Supervisors from 1802 until 1967, when the nine Legislators were approved.]

Visitors to the County Building enter through a recessed entry way, which is flanked by a set of pilasters. The foundation is made of raised sandstone. Sandstone was also used to highlight window sills and lintels. In 1955 the building was expanded, and this annex was designed by Charles Ivan Cromwell of LeRoy. Some of the court departments housed in this building include the County Clerk, Auto Bureau, Legislature, County Manager, Personnel, Purchasing, Real Property, and Treasurer. This building is included in the Genesee Court Courthouse Historic District.

Courthouse
Main & Ellicott Streets

The Genesee County Courthouse is located at the junction of Main and Ellicott Streets. This Greek revival Courthouse is an architectural focal point for downtown Batavia and it has played an integral part in the area’s history since its construction in 1843.

Ellicott Hall was the first courthouse west of the Genesee River and was built in 1802 at the expense of the Holland Land Company. On May 14, 1840 the N.Y.S. Legislature passed an act that provided for the construction of a new court facility. It is made from gray cut Onondaga limestone, which was quarried from Consider Warner’s farm located in the Town of LeRoy.

Each façade of this square building is five bays wide. Originally six heavy stone pilasters framed an open porch which ran the length of the front. In 1931 this area was renovated for additional office space, and the center bay front entrance way was created. The hip roof is constructed of slate and copper and supports a two-tiered wooden cupola which houses a brass bell. The bell first hung in Ellicott Hall and was rung on the half hour and hour and whenever a verdict was reached. The last verdict it rang for was in 1988 at the Lyndon Goodell trial.

A central hall flanked by offices encompasses the main floor. The double staircase merges into a single flight which leads to the courtroom and two judge’s chambers on the second floor. This building is a product of the talents of local craftsmen and id constructed of local materials. On June 18, 1974 this courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is included in the Genesee County Courthouse Historic District.

United States Post Office
2 West Main Street

Since 1802 Batavia has had a United States Post Office; however it did not have a separate building until 1919. In April of 1916 the Federal Government purchased the corner property at West Main Street and Jerrerson Avenue. The federal architect, John Knox Taylor provided plans and George C. Russell of Rochester was employed as the contractor. The building was to be built for under $58,000 but construction prices quickly increased as World War I caused building materials and labor shortages. After much difficulties and changes in staff the Post Office opened in April of 1919, with over 3,500 people inspecting the building during its first week. This single story structure is an example of government architecture in the early 20th century. It is constructed of brick trimmed with Ohio sandstone. The entrance has three open bays framed with Egyptian pediments. This open porch was enclosed in 1961 to provide customers with additional space. Due to a lack of work space for the employees and parking fir visitors, the City Council in 1967 publicly stated that Batavia needed a new Post Office. Since 1970 the City has been promised a new facility by the Federal Government. The Post Office is included in the Genesee County Courthouse District.

Jefferson Square

During 1994 extensive renovations converted this former Super Duper grocery store into “JEFFERSON SQUARE”. This 25,000 square foot building houses the Tonawanda Valley Federal Credit Union, Genesee Agency (insurance), and Genesee Country Abstract. The Credit Union’s four drive-through banking lanes are located on the west side of the building. The contracting company for this project was Hayner Hoyt of Syracuse. The owners of this building worked closely in the overall design.

Please note that the design includes details from the surrounding buildings within the Genesee County Courthouse District. The columned entrances, symmetrical facades, divided windows, blind arches with keystones and multiple bays are all architectural elements, which has resulted in a most attractive addition to downtown Batavia.

Austin Park
Jefferson Avenue

During 1912 the Village of Batavia purchased the Brisbane Estate. The Brisbane home was remodeled to serve as the City Hall, and the corner of West Main Street and Jefferson Avenue was the site for the United States Post Office. The land along Jefferson Avenue was used for a public park and George Austin, a local jeweler, bequeathed funds to the City to be used to develop this area.

Before becoming a park the Brisbane property was used as a playground and baseball field by local children. In 1911 the Moose Club held a fair here and displayed the first aeroplane to visit the community, a Curtis bi-plane. A park commission was established in 1928. Harold L. Olmsted a LeRoy native who became an architect and landscape designer, was approached for plans. The wading pool became the center of the park and was dedicated as the Brisbane Pool. The park opened in 1931 and featured a softball diamond, open play area and a rock garden.

The park was not always appearance as the “forgotten park”. The park was trimmed back in 1953 to accommodate parking for the Post Office and City Hall. To improve the park, a shelter was built by the Lions Club in 1965 and was rebuilt in 1975. The city installed slides, which have been enjoyed since 1978. Through the years Austin Park has been an active location for recreation programs, and thousands of children have spent their summers playing in this “downtown” city park.

Washington Towers
1 State Street

Situated at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Avenues is one of Batavia’s  four senior citizens’ apartment complexes. With approval and financial assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington Towers was built by V.J. Gautieri Construction Company. This six story high-rise contains 131 apartments, consisting of 114 one bedroom, 5 two bedroom and 12 handicapped accessible units. Located on the ground floor are recreation rooms, offices a laundry and heating plant. Contemporary security is provided, and a guard is on duty in the evening. Since the grand opening, on October 23, 1981, this building has had 100% occupancy.

Batavia Public Schools Administration Building
39 Washington Avenue

#39 Washington Avenue is the only Nineteenth Century public school building remaining in the City of Batavia. It was designed and built in 1885 by Henry Homelius and rebuilt in 1904 to its present appearance by his son Frank. The building contractor was Edward Dellinger. The school was used to educate elementary children until it closed in 1956, when the new John Kennedy School opened on Vine Street. During the late fifty’s and early sixty’s the building was used for extra classrooms while other schools were being remodeled or constructed. Administrative offices were needed for the Board of Education, and instead of constructing a new facility, it was agreed to refurbish the Washington Avenue school. The general contractors hired for this project were Rumsey and Petronio of Batavia. The remodeling cost totaled $89,910 and the offices opened in September of 1963.

Note: The Homelius family represents three generations of builders in Batavia. Henry B. Homelius moved here from Buffalo and was a contractor. Henry W. was born in Buffalo in the 1850’s and learned his trade from practical experience rather than from a formal education. His father taught him the basics, and he became an extraordinary craftsman. In addition to the buildings included in this walking tour, he also built several Main Street business buildings. His son Frank designed and built many homes within the City, and he was a registered architect with the New York State University. Frank also served as the mayor of Batavia in 1939 until his death in 1941.

A sampling of Batavia Buildings by Frank Homelius

• St. Anthiny School & Community Hall
• Richmond Memorial Library’s 1936-37 addition
• Rectory for St. James Episcopal Church
• 39 Ross Street
• 424 East Main Street
• Mancuso Bowling Lines
• Deluxe Dry Cleaning Company, (Center Street)
• C.L. Carr Company store, (remodeling)
• New York State Trooper Barracks, (East Main Street)
• Doehler Foundry Building
• Max Pies store

For additional information on Frank Homelius, please visit thee Genesee County History Department.

St. Paul Lutheran Church
31 Washington Avenue

St. Paul is the only Lutheran Church in Genesee County and has one of the largest congregations in the Eastern District. This is the third house of worship for this congregation and the architectural firm, James and Meadows of Buffalo, designed this brick English Gothic style church. A member of this congregation and local contractor, R. Norton Reed, was employed as the builder. The church was dedicated on October 19, 1952. The parsonage was also built in 1952 and is located behind the church on Park Avenue.

An enlarged narthex, church offices, and classrooms were added in 1962. The former narthex became used as a chapel for small weddings, special services, and meditation. In 1973, during the congregation’s 100th Anniversary, the bell tower was constructed to honor the founding members. The bell hs been in use since 1901, when it first called members to worship. (It was originally installed at the second church, which was located on Liberty Street). Two years later the Memorial Hall was built for small group meetings and as a recreation area. The stained glass windows of the church are important features. The windows were made by the Henry Keck Stained Glass Studio from Syracuse, and created between 1951-1968. On one side of the church they depict the aspects of the life of Christ and on the other side the parables are portrayed. In the narthex on the left door are the Tablet with the Ten Commandments and the sword od the Spirit with the open Bible. The right door includes an open Bible and the Martin Luther Rose, which symbolizes the four tents of the Lutheran Church. Upon entering the narthex the right window depicts St. Paul with a sword in his hand, for whom the church is named, and on the left is Martin Luther. Separating the narthex from the sanctuary are symbols for the twelve disciples, however the one for Judas remains blank. The four apostles are located on the doors leading into the sanctuary was Stanley Worden. Worden joined the Keck Studio in 1922 and through his education, hard work,and talent he became the chief designer and director of the studio. [For detailed information regarding the windows, please refer to the Landmark Society of Genesee County BATAVIA’S STAINED GLASS WINDOW TOUR brochure.]

Washington Avenue

As you walk west on WASHINGTON AVENUE and proceed north on either Lewis or Lincoln Avenues please notice the wood architectural details located on several of the homes. During the 1920’s the Batavia and New York Wood Working Company produced fine interior and exterior wood ornamentation. The wood working plant was located on the eastern boundary of the city. Over 350 skilled wood workers were employed and produced finer grade interior furnishings for offices, public and private finer grade interior furnishings for offices, public and private buildings in the eastern part of the United States. This company furnished wood carvings and trim for hotels in New York, such as the Savoy-Plaza, Drake, Lexington, and St. Regis. Several of the Yale University buildings also contain interior trim from this Batavia industry. Locally, the wood paneling in the Genesee County Courthouse was manufactured at this factory. The decorative “gingerbread” cut-out work found on roof lines, porches and window cornices was made during the early 1930’s. With builders starting to use painted plaster or metal for walls and doors and due to a decline in contracts during the Great Depression, the company closed its doors in 1939.

Centennial Park & The New York State School for the blind
2A Richmond avenue

In 1866 the Village of Batavia was selected by New York State as a site for a new school. The school was established in part as a response to the needs of soldiers blinded during the Civil War. Fifty acres of land, costing $10,000 was donated to the State by the citizens of Batavia for this project. The cornerstone for the first building was laid on September 6, 1868. The original campus included four buildings that accommodated over 150 students.

The campus has been completely rebuilt to meet increased safety regulations, demands for enlarged programming and over-crowed conditions. The center building facing Richmond Avenue is Severne Hall, which was named in honor of the school’s “oldest” living alumnus. Built in 1949, this architectural style was considered Modern. Because of financial limitations, it was built using simpler and more rapid methods of construction.

The two buildings on either side were built during the 1930’s as dormitories, Hamilton Hall on the west side, and Park Lewis Hall on the east side. Both of these buildings have been slated for demolition since 1987, however as long as the State needs these structures they will be used. Currently Hamilton Hall is being used as a depository for books for the blind and visually impaired.

The mission of the school is to do everything possible for blind children who have additional handicaps. Since 1976 the state began “mainstreaming” blind students into local public schools. Today the school teaches children ages 5 to 21 who are blind, and physically or mentally handicapped.

Under the first superintendent, Dr. Asa Lord, the park was landscaped and shade trees were planted. A lithographic view from the 1876 atlas shows a carriage drive, gazebo and a small pond. During 1917 a nine-hole golf course was established, however problems developed as golfers began to ruin the grassy lawns. The pond, which was used for both a children’s swimming-hole and a golfer’s water hazard, was filled in as it became a mosquito breeding ground. Here on the night of October 13, 1923 the Ku Klux Klan set alight a huge cross to publicize their presence in the area.

During the Christmas season a miniature village was placed on the front lawn of the school. The small buildings were created in 1932 to aid the blind children with understanding proportions and shapes. They were designed by Robert J. Mulligan, who was blind himself, a former student from the school, and the woodworking instructor. The tiny village was enjoyed by all until 1960 when Mr. Mulligan died and the project faded away.

In 1969 the State gave the park land back to Batavia. A State marker commemorating one hundred years of educating blind students is located on Richmond Avenue. The park is used annually by the Council of the Arts for a 4th of July picnic and exhibits. Concerts have been played in the park since the late 1880’s and children still take advantage of the gentle sloping surface for winter sledding. Centennial Park is the oldest park in the City of Batavia.

The newest city park is Sensory Park, which was created in 1987 to stimulate all of the senses for the multi-handicapped students at the school. The park is located behind the School for the Blind and includes a variety of textures, shapes, and sounds. Features of this special park are the herb garden for the sense of taste, roses for smell, and a wooden car with electronic sounds for hearing. Periodically the park is open to all the children in the community.

The Genesee County History Department

The History Department is responsible for collecting, preserving, and interpreting records that document the growth and development of this County. For further information on architecture and local history please visit the Research Library, which is a component of the department. The collection features:

• Over 1,400 cataloged books
• Over 400 cataloged Diaries, Business Ledgers, Land Records, and other non-published Journals
• 28 File Drawers of local history and Genealogy
• Over 7,000 photographic images
• Atlases and Maps from 1854-1904
• Genesee County Federal Census 1810-1974 (indexed)
• Manuscript/Document Collection
• Cemetery Records for several Municipalities
• Daily Newspaper [Batavia] 1878-1974 (indexed)
• Civil War Records
• Obituary Books 1891-1930’s
• Batavia Directories 1860-1980

Marriage and Birth announcements (assorted years) 1874-1980