TRIVIA PAGE

This is it!  The answers to the trivia questions from our informational brochure.  We hope you picked one up for all of our Historical Society information.  We also have the link for the informational brochure on our HOME page for your convenience.    (for a page of the questions and answers click here )

1.  In the Village of Harborcreek at 6724 Buffalo Road, the First Presbyterian Church was rebuilt after the fire in 1917, first built at this location in 1871. This is the second location (and second fire) after the original church which was located further east across the street was destroyed by fire.

2.  In 1903, an historian named John Miller wrote “The History of Erie County” and speculated that it was a “map maker’s mistake” since Harborcreek should have been named Millcreek and Millcreek named Harborcreek. There are no concrete facts to support that.

In fact, when Harborcreek was established in 1803, there were few mills built in Harborcreek.  The 1820 population was only 555.  In Millcreek, the first mill was built in 1796 at the mouth of the stream naming it Mill Creek – as it is still named.  By 1835, there were no less than 17 gristmills and sawmills along Mill Creek. The 1820 Millcreek population was 1,017.

3.  Before 1921, travelers drove over the tracks just west of the village at a point where Videtto Road, now known as Depot Road, crossed the tracks. There was the Nickel Plate, the New York Central, the East Erie Commercial and the Buffalo and Lake Erie Traction Line (Trolley Line); all of these tracks and not one automatic gate for the protection of the motorist. The only warnings were the old “STOP- LOOK- AND- LISTEN” signs.  After many accidents, they began excavating under the tracks east of the crossing. The Subway (or Underpass as is commonly called) was completed in 1921. It was part of a beautification project for the Township Bicentennial in 2003 for many to enjoy the pleasant gardens and wood carvings.

4.  Fair Avenue, of course.  The section between Fair Avenue and Walbridge, north of Iroquois Avenue was the Fairgrounds.  The first fair was held September 18-23, 1916.  When the grandstand burned in 1922, the Andrews Land Company began subdividing the fairground into “farm lots.”  They sold for $300 each and included lake front privileges through an area now the site of Fairfield Hose Company.