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QUICK LINKS

	In 1842, the "Community of True Inspiration" or the "Ebenezer Society" as they were more commonly called, fled Germany seeking religious freedom. Eventually the Ebenezers made their way to West Seneca and established a religious community. The leader of the Ebenezer Society, Christian Metz, moved ito a home located at 12 School Street. Erected by Erie County Sesquicentennial Committee 1971
	In 2005, the Town of West Seneca purchased the building. Volunteers from Americorps renovated the building and today, offices of Americorps are located in this historic building. The Christian Metz home is also the meeting place for the West Seneca Environmental Commission.

In 1791, under the direction of the Secretary of War, Colonel Thomas Proctor sought out American Indian tribes throughout Western Pennsylvania and Western New York. His mission was to promote peace between the various Indian nations and the United States Government. It was at Buffalo Creek in April 1791, that Col. Proctor met with Chief Big Sky and the Onondaga Indian Nation and established peaceful relations between the two nations. Erected by Erie County Sesquicentennial Committee 1971

The Onondaga (which means "People of the Hill") Indians were one of the original residents of Upstate New York and also an original member of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Onondaga's lived in "longhouses", which were large wood-frame buildings covered with sheets of elm bark. These longhouses were up to a hundred feet long and each building housed an entire clan (up to 60 people). The Onondaga Village once stood where Seneca Street and Ridge Road meet.

In 1855-56, the Ebenezer Society left West Seneca to take up new residence in Amana, Iowa, leaving their lands to be sold. The Diocese of Buffalo authorized the purchase of the former Ebenezer meeting house for $3,200.00 and in 1864, the Fourteen Holy Helpers Church was built. ( apse:   A usually semicircular or polygonal, often vaulted recess, especially the termination of the sanctuary end of a church ) Erected by Erie County Bicentennial Committee 1975

Fourteen Holy Helpers Roman Catholic Church is located at the corner of Union Road and Indian Church Road.

Have you spotted a historical marker around town that does not appear on this page? If so, use the link to the webmaster at the bottom of this page to send the location of the marker. If you are the first one to report a historical marker not on this page, you will receive a complimentary 2008 West Seneca Historical Calendar.

HISTORIC BUILDINGS

Click to enlarge photographs

West Seneca Historical Society and Museum
919 Mill Road
An original Ebenezer house built around 1850

Christian Metz Home
12 School Street
Constructed in 1840's

MISCELLANEOUS HISTORICAL INFORMATION

July 4, 1839  -  Jack Berry, Seneca Tribal Chief, dies on Buffalo Creek Reservation

November 1842  -  Community of True Inspiration purchased 5,000 acres of land around Buffalo Creek from Ogden Land Company

August 3, 1844  -  Three German families arrive in Ebenezer after sixty-six days crossing the Atlantic Ocean

May 13, 1846  -  Village of Ebenezer incorporated by N.Y. State Legislature  -  Operated under Ebenezer Society constitution and bylaws

July 1855  -  First wagons carrying members of the Ebenezer Society leave area to create new community in Amana, Iowa

November 30, 1895  -  Incorporation of Vigilant Fire Company

June 24, 1904  -  First graduating class of Gardenville High School on Union Road

July 31, 1908  -  First fire hydrants to be placed in West Seneca (87 total)

July 23, 1909  -  West Seneca seperates from the City of Lackawanna

June 30, 1930  -  Town Board enacts zoning ordinance for Town of West Seneca

June 29, 1932  -  Establishment of West Seneca Police Department (George D. Lyons - Chief of Police)

January 8, 1945  -  West Seneca Historical Society formed

May 7, 1968  -  First Town Board meeting held in new Town Hall, 1250 Union Road (Albert J. Giese, Supervisor)

October 1, 1969  -  West Seneca Library opens new building at 1300 Union Road

The Town of West Seneca consisted of four Ebenezer Communities

• Middle Ebenezer  -  Union and Clinton area now known as the Gardenville area

• Lower Ebenzer  -  Seneca and Union area

• Upper Ebenezer  -  Seneca Creek Road at Transit and across to Main Street - now known as the Blossom area

• New Ebenezer  -  Area around 4208 Clinton Street where only a few houses were built

West Seneca also consisted of four distinct sections:

• East Seneca

• Ebenezer

• Gardenville

• Winchester
  
  • Where did the Winchester name come from?  The land was owned and then sold by the Winchester Land Company. The Winchester name stuck and the area became known as "Winchester".

TOWN FLOWER:  Marigold

TOWN TREE:  Eleye Crabapple