photo credit: revdode

I have heard the term Hamlet but I had to actually look it up to see the description. A hamlet is defined in the dictionary as a little village or a village without a church.

The term “hamlet” is not defined under New York law, but many people in the state use “hamlet” refer to a community within a town that is not incorporated as a village. Hamlets do not have a government of their own therefore they depend upon the town or village that surrounds it for municipal services and government.

Most hamlets also do not have official boundaries, but the New York State Department of Transportation does put hamlet names on rectangular green signs with white lettering at locations of its choosing.

Often if you are travelling or looking up history, the hamlet names appear and it can be confusing to figure out where they are located.

In Chautauqua County there are eight hamlets:

Ashville – located between North Harmony and Busti. The Smith Bly House, located in the hamlet is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Findley Lake – is located in the Town of Mina NY. It is nestled along the north side of Findley Lake, which is a small lake that has many many local tourist attractions. Small gift shops, summer homes and camps make up the surrounding area and the ski resort Peek’n Peak Resort is close by.

photo credit: gregor_y

Hamlet – Hamlet was originally an historical railroad junction. The small hamlet remains in the town of Villenova but its population is extremely small.

Irving – This hamlet is located near the east town line and the eastern county line in the Town of Hanover

Irving is the Seneca nations governmental headquarters for the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation. The Seneca Gaming and Entertainment, a Seneca-owned bingo hall, is located here along with several tax-free gasoline stations and smoke shops.

Laona – Laona is a hamlet near the village of Fredonia.  It is part of the town of Pomfret.

Laona has been an area of importance to Spiritualist groups since the mid-19th century. Spiritualism began here in the winter of 1844-45. The Laona Free Association organized after 1850 and the First Spiritualist Society of Laona was formed in 1855. Lily Dale, which is just outside of the Town of Cassadaga is also a well know spiritual community.

photo credit: nico060475

Maple Springs – located within the town of Ellery in Chautauqua County.  It is situated along the east shore of Chautauqua Lake between the villages of Mayville and Bemus Point.

Maple Springs is the setting for Midway Park, the fifth-oldest remaining trolley park and fifteenth oldest amusement park in the nation. Many families have visited Midway Park fro generations.

Waterboro – Located in the northeast corner of the Town of Poland.  It is now a little used railroad stop.

Hamlets, although hard to find on maps today, held an important part in past history in Chautauqua County New York.