A Little History
of Mexico New York

"A New Mexico"

"A Greater Mexico"

a

"Progressive Mexico"

The first permanent settlers began arriving in Mexico in 1798.  They brought with them the tradition of the town meeting where everyone was free to express their ideas on how to deal with common problems.   besides electing officers, the earliest meetings showed concern for the poor, care and making roads, control of domestic animals (pigs and cows) and eradication of noxious plants and wild animals.

The male inhabitants met to elect officers from supervisors and town clerks to fence viewers and pound masters.  Existing roads had to be divided into districts and path master appointed, new roads or alterations of old ones authorized.   After 1813 funds had to be voted on for the support of public schools.

The citizens continued to be concerned with life in Mexico.  in 1870, with Main Street still a dirt road, a sprinkling cart was purchased to alleviate summer dust.  Main street merchants paid a small fee for the service.  James Chandler, a prominent merchant, and other city fathers planted shade trees to beautify the village, and henry Humphries, editor of the Mexico Independent pleaded for street lights in 1870.

The first businesses were related to clearing the land and serving the pioneers.  John Morton built a sawmill on the Little Salmon River in 1804 and soon added a millstone to grind wheat.  Asheries and sawmills were found throughout the township in the next few years as settlements sprang up.  merchants and professional people came and so did families.  In 1826 there were 200 inhabitants in the village;   the number had risen to 500 by 1842 and grew to 1269 in 1880 and by 1980 there were 1621.  From the 1820s and the 1930s, Mexico was a self-contained community that met all the needs of the people.  this changed as Mexicans began to travel further from the village as roads were built (104 in 1930) and the automobile became common.

Thus Mexico has been transformed physically from the primeval forest of 1798 to the quiet village of homes in the 1940s.  Elizabeth Simpson, author of Mexico: Mother of Towns, wrote that the businesses of long ago have disappeared and "garages and filling stations replace the blacksmith shops; feed stores take the place of the grist mills; a lumber company, the saw and planning mills; cooperative milk plants, the cheese factories, chain stores replace the grocery, the National Bank, the private bankers.  In professions, two lawyers and three physicians take the place of eight or nine of each profession in the past."

The passing of the town meeting in 1889 signaled the change of "people participation" in our local government.  Merchants and leaders of the community saw the need to rekindle community spirit and pride that was shared by the early settlers.  A chamber of commerce was organized in 1919 with Dr. L.D. Pulsifer as president and Hoyt Hollister as secretary.  The enthusiastic businessmen, determined to improve the community, adopted the slogan "A New Mexico, A Greater Mexico, and a Progressive Mexico".  The organization was active some years and lacked support at other times.  It was reorganized in 1947 with John Mowry as president and Raymond Lavoie as vice president with committees of finance, membership, retail merchants, civic planning, and youth and recreation.  Merchants were encouraged to continuously take care of cosmetic improvements to their businesses and to advertise.  The organization has considered problems such as parking and more recently, rebuilding the Webb Block. 

Written by:  Bonnie Shumway, Town Historian
Elizabeth Simpson

Mexico Historical Society & Museum
P.O. Box 331  Jefferson Street
Mexico, NY 13114
President, Kenvyn Richards

Artifacts from Mexico including permanent displays of hand blown glass by Mr. Mathieu of French Street & The Underground Railroad.

Hair wreaths, local artist displays and two maps from the 1850's and 60's.

Traveling Museum including antique toys and kitchen utensils are available to local schools.

Located on Jefferson Street in Mexico.
Winter Hours:  By appt only:  Call Bonnie Shumway 963-7034.
Summer Hours: Tues. & Sat 2PM-4PM

Activities & Attractions