Originally called Newtown when the first town meeting was held at William Dunn's tavern (now the Kline House) in 1792. Renamed for a settler's daughter in 1808. During the Civil War, Elmira housed a POW camp for Confederates. Now it has the Elmira Correctional Facility.

Thanks to the river valleys, the Chemung Canal and the railroads, Elmira became a major stop on the Underground Railroad, with John W. Jones as principle conductor. With the help of friendly railroad employees, fugitives rode the "4 o'clock Freedom Baggage Car" to Canada, free of charge. Native Elmirans include Colonel Eileen Collins, NASA, commander of the space shuttle Columbia (July 1999), and Discovery (July 2005) the first shuttle launched after Columbia was destroyed in 2003; Ernie Davis, 1st black winner of the Heisman Trophy; & Hal Roach - Alaskan prospector, muleskinner, mail carrier, truck driver, superintendent on the oil pipeline - but best known for producing Our Gang, Laurel & Hardy shorts, the films "Topper" and "Of Mice And Men" & the TV series "The Lone Ranger", Groucho Marx and Abbot & Costello.

Justices Norman J. Learned III & Richard P. Woodhouse

ADA Thomas M. Bowes (226 Lake St, Elmira, NY 14901; Tel: 607-737-2944; FAX 607-737-2965); Town Attorney is Scott D. Moore.

boating & fishing violations, speeding, traffic violations, DWI/DUI; misdemeanors & felonies