Holland

History

The town was first settled along its northern border, then called "Humphrey Valley", in 1807. The town of Holland was established in 1818 from part of the (now defunct) town of Willink, which once included all the southern part of Erie County. The name was derived from Willem Willink, one of the original investors of the Holland Land Company, which owned most of the land in western New York and sold it off to cities and townships that exist today. The name "Holland" is one of many surviving remnants of the Dutch investors who once owned this region. As with the town of Willink, the locations named after these investors have been given new names. Many of the original town buildings met their fate due to fire. Today the Holland Historical Society resides in the original fire hall on Main Street.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.10%, is water. The east town line is the border of the town of Java in Wyoming County. The north town line is the border of the town of Wales, The west town line is the border of the town of Colden, and the south town line is the border of the town of Sardinia New York State Route 16 is a major north–south highway through the town. The East Branch of Cazenovia Creek flows northward through Holland.

Race & ethnicity