East Aurora

History

The village was founded in 1804, and incorporated in 1874. Prior to becoming President of the United States, Millard Fillmore lived in East Aurora with his wife Abigail from 1826 to 1830. The house he built there while practicing law in the beginning of his political career is currently maintained by the Aurora Historical Society. The 1825 structure is restored to that period and features some original Fillmore furniture of the era, as well as items from Fillmore's presidential years. The home is currently located at 24 Shearer Avenue in the village of East Aurora. The founder of the Roycroft Movement, Elbert Hubbard, also lived there during the turn of the twentieth century. Hubbard and his wife died on board the in 1915. One of the town's most famous landmarks, the Roycroft Inn, was converted from the Hubbards' original print shop and opened as an inn in 1905 to accommodate the influx of famous visitors attracted by Hubbard's ideas as well as the books, Mission-style furniture and metalware produced by the 500 Roycroft artisans on the South Grove Street Roycroft campus. The Roycroft Campus was granted National Landmark Status in 1986. The Roycroft Inn was re-opened in June 1995 through the support of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. The inn was completely restored and is open to the public for dining and accommodations. The Elbert Hubbard Museum on Oakwood Avenue features an extensive collection of Roycroft books and Arts & Crafts pieces. East Aurora is also the birthplace of and home to the corporate headquarters for Fisher-Price. From 1987 through 2007 the village and the Toy Town Museum (an independent non-profit organization located on the Fisher-Price campus) held the Toyfest Festival, which included the Toyfest parade featuring giant replicas of classic…

Geography

East Aurora is located at (42.766809, -78.617121). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land. Main Street in the village is U.S. Route 20A, New York State Route 16, and New York State Route 78. The East Branch of Cazenovia Creek flows through the south portion of the village. Main Street in East Aurora is lined with a variety of specialty shops, restaurants, churches, municipal buildings and carefully preserved homes. Businesses include The East Aurora Advertiser, the community newspaper since 1872, which has occupied its Main St. office for more than 100 years. On Riley Street sits the East Aurora Classic Rink, which was created by the Aurora Ice Association. The rink’s components such as the boards, glass and refrigeration system were purchased by the Aurora Ice Association and is the same equipment used in the 2008 NHL Winter Classic between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Included on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Erie County, New York are seven locations in the village.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• ORCHARD PARK HIGH SCHOOL
  High · ORCHARD PARK · 1,385 students · 11.7:1 ratio
• WILLIAM STREET SCHOOL
  Middle · LANCASTER · 1,293 students · 14.1:1 ratio
• WEST SENECA WEST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
  High · WEST SENECA · 1,110 students · 12.2:1 ratio
• ORCHARD PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Middle · ORCHARD PARK · 1,059 students · 10.7:1 ratio
• LANCASTER MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Middle · LANCASTER · 873 students · 12.1:1 ratio
• CAYUGA HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
  Elementary · DEPEW · 864 students · 11.5:1 ratio
• WEST SENECA EAST SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
  High · WEST SENECA · 811 students · 11.8:1 ratio
• WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL
  Middle · WEST SENECA · 780 students · 11.1:1 ratio