Local History

OUR HERITAGE

The area known as Enfield was first settled in 1804 by John Giltner.  The
area was first registered as a Town in November 1820 and officially
registered with the State of New York on March 16, 1821.  The Town was
formed from thirty-six lots of the southern portion of Military Township
Lot No. 22, Ulysses.

Agriculture was a way of life for most residents.  By 1865, 80%  of the
Town's land was used for farming.  By 1866, five sawmills operated on Five
Mile Creek.  After the Civil War, the federal government encouraged the
establishment of farmers organizations.  The Enfield Valley Grange No.
295 was organized and built in 1925 by local residents.  By 1995, it was
the only Tompkins County Grange Hall to be officially functioning.

Over the years, many businesses have thrived in Enfield.  The list
consists of general stores, boot and shoemakers, coopers, blacksmiths,
seamstresses, broom makers, saw and gristmills, auto sales and repairs,
taverns, motels, bed and breakfasts, tree farms, local golf course,
computer repair/services, self-employed construction businesses and
plumbing/heating businesses, a fuel company, day care providers and an
adult entertainment establishment.

Enfield Falls is located in the southeastern part of Enfield.  The park is
named in honor of Robert H. Treman, who presented the land to New York
State in 1920.  The Grist Mill located there was constructed in 1838-39
and was in use until 1916.  Today, tours of the building are offered when
the park is open.

Enfield's government operates like that of most other small New York State
towns.  The Town Board is comprised of an elected Town Supervisor and four
elected Board members.  The Town Supervisor is elected to serve a term of
two years and Board members serve a term of four years.  The Town
Clerk/Tax Collector and Highway Superintendent are elected officials and
serve a term of two years.  There are two elected Town Justices, each
serving terms of four years.  Space for officers and employees of the Town
is located at the Enfield Town Hall, built in 1966 at Enfield Center.

The Town of Enfield is located in the rural, west central portion of
Tompkins County.  Enfield Center is approximately ten miles west of the
City of Ithaca.  The Town is bordered on the east by the Town of Ithaca,
on the north by the Town of Ulysses, on the west by the Town of Hector in
Schuyler County, and on the south by the Town of Newfield.  Enfield
encompasses 37.4 square miles.

Enfield's population, according to the 2000 Census, is 3,369.  Depending
on where you live in Enfield, students can either attend Ithaca, Newfield,
Odessa or Trumansburg School Districts.