by Nancy Leport
The Parma Hilton area has a rich history and thanks to the cooperation between the Town, Village, and Parma-Hilton Historical Society along with the County of Monroe, much of it has been designated by a historical marker. What is a historical marker? It commemorates people, (or many), an event, a former use of the place or some other significant event or object. According to the William Pomeroy Foundation which created the National Historic Marker Day, there are close to 200,000 historic markers in the United States, 2,800 of which are in New York state.
National Historic Marker Day, on April 28 this year, is a day designated as a community workday to clean and repair local historical markers. Parma Hilton can be proud of the work that has been done to maintain its markers which are all in excellent condition. In 2022 Blake Mott painted six signs as part of his Eagle Scout project.
In Parma Hilton there are nine markers, including two that designate the Martin and Zarpentine Farms on Burritt Road as permanently preserved farmland by the Genesee Land Trust.
The other seven markers include the following:
•Jonathan Underwood: first Pioneer Settler in 1805. Underwood Avenue and the Jonathan Underwood School (now part of Village Elementary) bear his name.
•The “Hojack” Railroad located on the corner of East and Railroad Avenues. The Rome, Watertown, Ogdensburg Railroad was the actual name of this railroad and came to Hilton in 1876 as the first mail train. The last train went through in 1978. The railroad brought more than mail to Hilton; it brought life and prosperity. The village grew up around the railroad where produce, especially apples and peaches, could be shipped around the area. The nickname Hojack seems to have come from a tale about a farmer and his mule when the mule simply stopped in the middle of the track with a train coming. The farmer supposedly yelled at his mule, “Ho, Jack, Ho, Jack,” as the train approached.
•The Little White Meeting House (Parma Center Presbyterian Church). This is the oldest religious structure in Parma and located on Parma Center Road. As the Presbyterian Church, it was associated with the Underground Railroad. Senator John Patterson, one of the 13 founders of this church, was known to have advised President Lincoln and been involved in the Parma Anti-Slavery Society. The church is built on land donated by Russell Bates.
•The Methodist Episcopal Church begun in 1804 with its first sermon and building constructed in 1830. It had eight founding members and was the first one west of the Genesee River.
•Town of Parma Commemoration Marker at the Town Hall tells the story of how Parma got its name, how it came to be, and the pioneers who made a name for themselves.
•The Samuel Chase, Jr. Home and Farm located on Manitou Road near Latta was built in 1845. Samuel Chase came here in 1825, purchasing the land from Martin Lane where he eventually built the house. Mr. Chase, a known abolitionist, used his home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. He donated land for the Parma Greece Congregational Church, which is still in the same location. He was elected State Assemblyman and served as Parma Supervisor for nine years. His election and service speak well for a man whose neighbors knew he was breaking the law by aiding in the escape of enslaved men and women.
•The 1796 Survey: What now comprises the townships of Parma and Ogden was surveyed into three sections by Joseph Colt. The Northern portion was called Braddock’s Bay Township. Early settlers suffered from “Braddock’s Bay Fever,” aka malaria, and extremely harsh winters.
Three new markers will soon be a part of the Hilton-Parma landscape. The Village of Hilton will have one placed on Main Street to mark the site of the Great Fire of 1965. The Town of Parma will posthumously honor Walter Vond for his efforts in the Underground Railroad with placement of his marker at the end of Route 259 where his boathouse once stood on the shore of Lake Ontario. And lastly, one will be placed in Parma Corners by The Parma Hilton Historical Society to mark the early history of that area.
There are many other historical sites in Parma Hilton at which the Parma Hilton Historical Society would like to place markers. Hopefully, over the next few years these other markers will be placed by the roadside to remind residents how much history happened here long before many of us ever called Parma Hilton home.
Check out http://www.parmahiltonhistoricalsociety.com or visit the Parma Hilton Historical Society Facebook page for more information about the group’s activities and mission.
Provided photos
Sources: Hilton USA by Leith Wright,
Parma the Hub of the Universe by Shirley Cox Husted
