Editing Medina, New York (section)

==History==
[[Joseph Ellicott]], the agent of the [[Holland Land Company]], once owned land that encompassed part of the village, purchased from the Holland Land Company.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=2–3, 38}}</ref> With the opening of the [[Erie Canal]] through Medina, the village enjoyed more trade and business associated with freight and passengers on canal boats.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our History |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=8}}</ref>

The Village of Medina was incorporated March 3, 1832, creating an entity contained within the two towns of Ridgeway and Shelby.<ref name=":0" /> The charter of incorporation called for five Trustees to be elected as village officials.<ref name=":12">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our History |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=16}}</ref> That same year the first printing press was set up in the village and the first newspaper published, The Medina Herald.<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|title=1922: Journal Review|date=August 30, 1976|work=The Journal-Register}}</ref>

In 1852, the railroad arrived in Medina and passenger service quickly became popular.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=62}}</ref>

=== Early Industry ===
Medina's first known industry was an [[ashery]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 30, 1976 |journal=The Journal-Register |title=Medina Review (The story of a canal town written in the mood of 1922) |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1976-08-30/ed-1/seq-20/ |language=en |issue=1976/08/30 |pages=20}}</ref> The area was mostly covered in trees and brush when Ebenezer Mix was assigned to survey the area.<ref name=":13" /> Clearing the area would have been necessary for the village to be laid out and the Erie Canal built. An ashery would convert hardwood ash into lye or other usable products.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=December 22, 1976 |journal=The Journal-Register |title=Workshop "Fits" in Landmark House |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1976-12-22/ed-1/seq-6/ |language=en |issue=1976/12/22 |pages=6}}</ref> Most of these industries would rely on the Erie Canal for their transportation needs.

==== Mills ====
Medina had a variety of mills over the years.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 25, 1899 |journal=The Medina Register |title=Medina's Boom |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn88074109/1899-05-25/ed-1/seq-3/ |language=en |issue=1899/05/25 |pages=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=June 19, 1879 |journal=The Medina Tribune |title=The Medina Tribune: Village and Vicinity |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031556/1879-06-19/ed-1/seq-3/ |language=en |issue=1879/06/19 |pages=3}}</ref> Grain and flour mills<ref>{{Cite journal |date=February 18, 1909 |journal=The Medina Tribune|title=Medina Union Mills |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn83031556/1909-02-18/ed-1/seq-6/ |language=en |issue=1909/02/18 |pages=6}}</ref> were very important to the area and built as early as 1830.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=63–68}}</ref> Two stave mills<ref>{{Cite journal |date=September 30, 1982 |journal=The Journal-Register |title=Image 7 |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1982-09-30/ed-1/seq-7/ |language=en |issue=1982/09/30 |pages=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 12, 1906 |journal=The Medina Daily Journal |title=Plating |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn94057567/1906-05-12/ed-1/seq-3/ |language=en |issue=1906/05/12 |pages=3}}</ref> existed in the 1870s,<ref name=":14">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our History |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=68}}</ref> producing wood strips for the production of barrels. A Cloth mill also existed for a time though exactly when is not known. Saw mills were used for creating rough lumber and finished boards for other local industry.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=69}}</ref>

==== Barrel Manufacturing ====
The popularity of flour production resulted in a large need for barrels to transport the flour down the Erie Canal.<ref name=":14" />

==== Foundries ====
The Bignall Foundry<ref>{{Cite journal |date=October 14, 1915 |journal=The Medina Daily Journal |title=Building of the First Foundry Dam in Medina, 1871 |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn94057567/1915-10-14/ed-1/seq-3/ |language=en |issue=1915/10/14 |pages=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=February 22, 1965 |journal=The Medina Daily Journal and Medina Register |title=Blaze Ruins Portion of Unused Foundry|url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn91066521/1965-02-22/ed-1/seq-1/ |language=en |issue=1965/02/22 |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 26, 1970 |journal=The Journal-Register |title=Gone Forever! |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn98067642/1970-08-26/ed-1/seq-1/ |language=en |issue=1970/08/26 |pages=1}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite journal |date=October 4, 1972 |journal=The Journal-Register |title=Take A Trip Back -- The Medina of 1920 |url=https://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1972-10-04/ed-1/seq-11/ |language=en |issue=1972/10/04 |pages=11}}</ref> began selling iron pumps, sinks, and more in 1861.<ref name=":15">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=70–72}}</ref> After several fires, the company was part of a consolidation into the Central Foundry Company along with two other local foundries, A.L. Swett Company and Beach & Co in 1899.<ref name=":15" /> The Central Foundry focused on soil pipe manufacturing. A.L Swett Iron Works<ref name=":19" /> opened in 1871 to manufacture hardware specialties and continued operations in Medina through the 1920s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=71–72}}</ref> Beach & Co manufactured plumbing supplies starting in the 1880s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=72}}</ref>

==== Furniture Manufacturing ====
The Maher Brothers were the first large scale furniture maker in Medina, opening in 1882.<ref name=":16">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our History |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=73–75}}</ref> The family continued to run the business until 1928.<ref name=":16" /> S.A. Cook<ref name=":19" /> opened their furniture business around 1882, the Morris chair being among their most popular products.<ref name=":17">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=76}}</ref> In 1911, Mr. Cook built a large block on Main St which still bears his name today.<ref name=":17" /> Another large furniture company of note was the Empire Couch Company.<ref name=":19" /> They moved to Medina in 1902.<ref name=":18">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=77}}</ref> They successfully operated through the widening of the canal in 1913 but could not stay in business during through the Depression, declaring bankruptcy in 1935.<ref name=":18" />

==== Medina Sandstone ====
Medina is known for its [[Medina sandstone|Medina Sandstone]], a stone used widely in buildings across the region.<ref>[http://www.eriecanalmedina.com/medina_sandstone.html Medina Sandstone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613091251/http://www.eriecanalmedina.com/medina_sandstone.html |date=June 13, 2008 }}, on ErieCanalMedina.com</ref> Some local examples include the "million dollar staircase" at the [[New York State Capitol]] in Albany,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Rethinking of Old Orleans|last=Lattin|first=C.W.|date=April 20, 1983|work=The Journal-Register}}</ref> the [[Richardson Olmsted Complex]] in Buffalo,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Medina Sandstone in Buffalo Spotlight|last=Rivers|first=Tom|date=February 23, 2013|work=The Daily News}}</ref> and in buildings at the [[University of Rochester]] and [[Cornell University]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Prospectus...Medina Sandstone Quarries|year=1899|publisher=Publisher unknown|location=Medina, NY|pages=6}}</ref> Sandstone varies in color from light grey to a deep reddish brown.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Landmarks of Orleans County|publisher=Signor|year=1894|pages=153}}</ref>

The first commercial sandstone quarry was opened in 1837 by John Ryan.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|title=Only Memories Remain Of Sandstone Industry|last=Hudnut|first=Jim|date=February 8, 1985|work=The Journal-Register}}</ref> At their peak, sandstone quarries were one of the largest employers in the county with upwards of 2,000 employees.<ref name=":4" /> With the discovery of cheaper alternatives, Medina Sandstone's popularity began to decline around World War 1.<ref name=":4" />

=== Pearl Street Armory ===
In 1901, a State Armory was built of Medina Sandstone and located on the corner of Pearl St and Prospect Ave.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Grinnell |first=E.W. |title=Medina, Here's To Our Heritage |publisher=Medina Historical Society |pages=136–139}}</ref> Company F moved into the facility in 1902 with units serving in WWI and WWII. The Armory was officially closed by NYS in 1977.<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1977 |title=Guardsmen set to face sad ritual |work=The Journal Register |url=http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1977-02-17/ed-1/seq-1/}}</ref> Company F records can found at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. A bronze statue and memorial was erected in front of the building in honor of Company F in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bronze statue of soldier dedicated in Medina {{!}} Orleans Hub |url=https://orleanshub.com/bronze-statue-of-soldier-dedicated-in-medina/ |access-date=August 18, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> The building now houses the YMCA.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 12, 1978 |title=Armory Will Open for Area Use |pages=1 |work=The Journal-Register |url=http://nyshistoricnewspapers.org/lccn/sn93063954/1978-10-12/ed-1/seq-1/}}</ref>

=== POW Camp ===
Medina's Heinz factory<ref name=":19" /> housed a POW camp from 1943 to 1946.<ref>{{Cite news|title=PW Camp Closes at Medina|date=February 12, 1946|work=Democrat and Chronicle}}</ref> Seventy-one Italian soldiers arrived at the Heinz barracks in September 1943.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|title=Italian Prisoners Arrive Here For Work In Processing Plants Replacing Army Men|date=September 29, 1943|work=Medina Daily Journal}}</ref> They were allowed to work at the Heinz factory, local farms, or other local factories.<ref name=":1" /> In May 1944, the Italian soldiers were moved to a new location and replaced with 116 German soldiers.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Medina Gets 116 Soldiers for Plant Job|last=Rich|first=Virginia|date=May 29, 1944|work=Democrat and Chronicle}}</ref>

During their tenure in Medina, the German prisoners went on strike to protest the smoking regulations at the Heinz factory.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=Local Prisoners Back At Work Following Strike Here Friday|date=August 7, 1944|work=Medina Daily Journal}}</ref> The soldiers wanted to smoke in the factory building and on the loading platforms.<ref name=":2" /> After having all of their possessions removed and not being allowed to sleep in the barracks, all of the soldiers voluntarily returned to work the following day.<ref name=":2" />

In 1946, the Heinz camp was closed and all remaining prisoners were moved to local military installations in preparation for their return to Germany.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|title=Medina Prison Camp Closed as PW's Are Being Evacuated|date=February 11, 1946|work=Medina Daily Journal}}</ref> During its use, the Heinz barracks housed up to 300 soldiers and 50 military police.<ref name=":3" />

=== Recent history ===
In 2015, village residents voted to keep Medina an incorporated village,<ref>{{Cite news|title=Medina voters say 'No' to dissolution|last=McDermott|first=Meagan|date=January 21, 2015|work=Democrat and Chronicle}}</ref> despite having the highest effective property tax rate in the Finger Lakes region according to a 2016 Empire Center report.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.empirecenter.org/publications/medina-had-highest-tax-rate-in-finger-lakes/|title=Medina had Highest Tax Rate in Finger Lakes|website=Empire Center|date=June 9, 2016 |access-date=July 26, 2018}}</ref>

The [[Main Street Historic District (Medina, New York)|Main Street Historic District]], [[Medina Armory]], and [[United States Post Office (Medina, New York)|United States Post Office]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2009a}}</ref>  The [[Payjack Chevrolet Building]] was added in 2012 and [[Boxwood Cemetery]] in 2015.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20120518.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=May 18, 2012|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 5/07/12 through 5/11/12 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref name="nps1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20150206.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=February 6, 2015|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 1/26/15 through 1/30/15  |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>