Ava
New York
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A town in the north western section of Oneida County, known as Ava, was formed from the Town of Boonville on May 12, 1846, hence, the first 50 years of its history is intertwined with Boonville's history. With all due respect to Ava folks, I tend to think of Ava as an extension of Boonville through its geography, commerce, schools and families. The Town of Ava sits on the eastern-most edge of the infamous Tug Hill Plateau, where tons of snow and 30-degree-below-zero weather are a familiar part of winter life. The foothills of Ava crisscross numerous streams, as well as tributaries of both the Mohawk and the Black Rivers. The Mohawk, rich in history and lore, cuts through the heart of Ava as it winds its way south. The most prominent manmade structure in Ava is the stately and proud Hilltop Methodist Church, that is first seen from a great distance as one approaches from the south. The town was first settled in 1797 by New Englanders pouring out of Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1800, there were nine people living in Ava and by 1860 the population peaked at 1,260. The mainstay for most residents throughout the history of Ava has been agricultural.
An early history of Oneida County states that the schools in the town were generously sustained. The funds raised to maintain high educational standards in Ava exceeded the majority of towns in the county. The early schools were often located in buildings that served other purposes, such as local meeting halls. Long before the Methodist Church was built, the only place of worship in Ava was a house used by the Society of Friends, the Quakers. Known Friends included the Adams and Beardsley families and no doubt many others. Within the town boundaries are to be found Quaker burial grounds, which are difficult to pinpoint due to the no frills custom of using unmarked field stones as grave-markers. Remnants of the Society of Friends still existed into the 20th century, with their main meeting place located in West Branch, just a few miles south of Ava. The early years saw the rapid clearing of the timberland, in order to make way for agricultural pursuits. Since the soil conditions were better suited for grazing than growing grain, dairy farming became the standard way of life. In the years that followed the opening of the Ava wilderness, another group of people began to populate the hillsides. Soon the area was filled with Germans, Germans, and more Germans who definitely left their own mark on the land.
Town Of Ava
A town in the north western section of Oneida County, known as Ava, was formed from the Town of Boonville on May 12, 1846, hence, the first 50 years of its history is intertwined with Boonville's history. With all due respect to Ava folks, I tend to think of Ava as an extension of Boonville through its geography, commerce, schools and families. The Town of Ava sits on the eastern-most edge of the infamous Tug Hill Plateau, where tons of snow and 30-degree-below-zero weather are a familiar part of winter life. The foothills of Ava crisscross numerous streams, as well as tributaries of both the Mohawk and the Black Rivers. The Mohawk, rich in history and lore, cuts through the heart of Ava as it winds its way south. The most prominent manmade structure in Ava is the stately and proud Hilltop Methodist Church, that is first seen from a great distance as one approaches from the south. The town was first settled in 1797 by New Englanders pouring out of Connecticut and Massachusetts. In 1800, there were nine people living in Ava and by 1860 the population peaked at 1,260. The mainstay for most residents throughout the history of Ava has been agricultural.
An early history of Oneida County states that the schools in the town were generously sustained. The funds raised to maintain high educational standards in Ava exceeded the majority of towns in the county. The early schools were often located in buildings that served other purposes, such as local meeting halls. Long before the Methodist Church was built, the only place of worship in Ava was a house used by the Society of Friends, the Quakers. Known Friends included the Adams and Beardsley families and no doubt many others. Within the town boundaries are to be found Quaker burial grounds, which are difficult to pinpoint due to the no frills custom of using unmarked field stones as grave-markers. Remnants of the Society of Friends still existed into the 20th century, with their main meeting place located in West Branch, just a few miles south of Ava. The early years saw the rapid clearing of the timberland, in order to make way for agricultural pursuits. Since the soil conditions were better suited for grazing than growing grain, dairy farming became the standard way of life. In the years that followed the opening of the Ava wilderness, another group of people began to populate the hillsides. Soon the area was filled with Germans, Germans, and more Germans who definitely left their own mark on the land.