Bloomfield & West Bloomfield
According to legend, the soldiers who marched through this area during the Sullivan Expedition of 1779 were so impressed with the fertile ground and blooming wildflowers that when the area was settled a decade later it became known as Bloomfield.
Since then, Bloomfield has blossomed into two distinct towns, East Bloomfield and West Bloomfield, and the village of Bloomfield, which is in the town of East Bloomfield. We will talk about East Bloomfield and the Village of Bloomfield first, but if you want to read about West Bloomfield, scroll down below.
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The Town of East Bloomfield and the Village of Bloomfield
An heirloom apple; fields of wheat, hops, and potatoes; the founder of the city of Rochester – what do they all have in common? They all have a connection to the town of East Bloomfield, a community of rolling hills, country charm, history, and outdoor assets.
The tart and hardy Northern Spy apple was developed in East Bloomfield around 1800, when Herman Chapin planted seeds from Connecticut. It is still a beloved apple variety today. Wheat, as well as hops and potatoes, were also major agricultural commodities grown in East Bloomfield, which still holds on to its farming roots. And Nathaniel Rochester, founder of the city of Rochester 25 miles away, lived in East Bloomfield until he moved to the city that bears his name in 1818.
The village of Bloomfield embraces history and a good way to immerse yourself in the past is to take the self-guided walking tour around the historic district. With three miles of sidewalks, you'll find delightful restaurants to enjoy a meal, shopping along the Bloomfield Antique Country Mile and village museums. You will be surprised how much this small, rural community has to offer and how well it has preserved its history.
East Bloomfield is also part in the craft beverage revival, with Irish Mafia Brewing and Raymor Estate Cellars, offering hard cider and wine.
Fast Facts about the Town of East Bloomfield and the Village of Bloomfield
History:
The town of East Bloomfield was first settled in 1789. It was originally called Bloomfield, but became East Bloomfield in 1833 when the town of West Bloomfield was established. The village of Bloomfield was incorporated in 1990 by combining the adjacent villages of East Bloomfield and Holcomb.
Population:
Town of East Bloomfield: 3,634 (2010 Census)
Village of Bloomfield: 1,361 (2010 Census)
Size:
Town of East Bloomfield: 33.3 square miles
Village of Bloomfield: 1.4 square miles
Location:
The town of East Bloomfield is in the western part of Ontario County, about 8 miles west of the city of Canandaigua. The village of Bloomfield is in the town of East Bloomfield, along the town's major east-west arterial, State Routes 5 and 20.
Terrain
The land is gently rolling foothills to the larger Bristol Hills to the south. Mud Creek flows northward in the eastern part of the town.
Key Industries
Agriculture: Horse farms, crop farms, and dairy farms.
Manufacturing: Commodore Plastics produces foam trays for retail meat packaging; Crosman Corporation is an international manufacturer of air gun products; Velmex, Inc. manufactures stock and custom linear and rotary motion control positioning equipment.
Education
The Bloomfield Central School District serves students in East Bloomfield and surrounding communities. The district prides itself on small class size and high graduation rates.
Key Landmarks and Attractions
Bloomfield Academy Museum: The East Bloomfield Historical Society is housed in the landmark Academy Building, a brick schoolhouse built in 1838.
Elton Park: Originally known as the Public Square, Elton Park is the focal point of East Bloomfield and one of its most historic sites. It includes a Civil War monument and is where many community events take place.
Veterans Park: Playing fields and indoor facilities as well as an enclosed building with kitchen to rent.
Parkview Fairways Golf Course: A family-owned, 18-hole public golf course.
Boughton Park: Privately owned by the towns of East Bloomfield, West Bloomfield and Victor, this park has two ponds, trails and woods and is a popular place to fish, canoe, hike, and kayak. The park is only open to Victor, East Bloomfield and West Bloomfield residents with permits.
Bloomfield Antique Country Mile: Dozens of antique dealers do business along this stretch of Routes 5 and 20.
Irish Mafia Brewing Company: This Irish bar and restaurant feature quality drink options and twists on traditional pub food since 2017.
AWA Communication Technologies Museum: Since 1952, the Antique Wireless Association has been devoted to the history electronic communications, from the first telegraph and telephone to today's cellular era.
Vintage Tracks Museum: This museum features Crawler Tractors and old farm equipment from the early 20th century.
Raymor Estate Cellars: A small unique winery producing wine from locally grown grapes and hard cider from locally grown apples.
Key Events
St. Peter's Episcopal Church Antique Show & Sale: Annual antique sale takes place on the second Saturday of July at Elton Park.
Horseless Carriage Club of America Show: This popular antique car show, sponsored by the local chapter of HCCA, takes place on the second Sunday of July at Elton Park.
Community Resources
Town of East Bloomfield: www.townofeastbloomfield.org
Village of Bloomfield: www.bloomfieldny.org
Bloomfield Buzz: www.bloomfieldbuzz.com
East Bloomfield Historical Society: www.ebhs1838.org
The Town of West Bloomfield
Bordering Livingston and Monroe Counties, the Town of West Bloomfield is known as the western gateway of Ontario County. It is a quiet little community that is close to Rochester (about 20 miles away) and Canandaigua (about 12 miles away).
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Well preserved, historic homes and churches are found throughout the area, from the John and Mary Dickson House, an 1830s Federal-style building, to the Ionia Methodist Church in the tight-knit hamlet of Ionia.
Cyclists love West Bloomfield for its country roads, gentle hills, and little traffic. The town’s bike shop, Mendon Cyclesmith, not only offers sales and repairs, but the owner has an interesting collection of antique bicycles.
West Bloomfield is also where you can get up close and personal with an alpaca. Lazy Acre Alpacas is open to visitors by appointment and has an on-farm alpaca fashion shop.
Fast Facts about the Town of West Bloomfield
History
West Bloomfield was once the site of three distinct Seneca villages in areas that are now referred to as Fort Hill, Factory Hollow and Bloomfield Station. The first Europeans to record being the area were the Jesuits in the 17th century. Settlement began much later, around 1789, and the Town of West Bloomfield was formed in 1833 after separating from the Town of Bloomfield.
Population
Town of West Bloomfield: 2,466 (2010 Census)
Size
Town of West Bloomfield: 25.5 square miles (.04 square miles is water)
Location
The Town of West Bloomfield makes up the western border of Ontario County, adjacent to Livingston County. A sliver of Monroe County lies to the north of the town. State Routes 5 and 20 transverse it, while State Routes 65 and 64 run along the town’s western and eastern edges.
Terrain
The Bristol Hills provide spectacular scenery to the south of West Bloomfield. Hopper Hills, which lays claim as the highest point in Monroe County (at 1,026 feet), has a slope that reaches into West Bloomfield.
Key Industries
Agriculture
Bonn Terra Farms is a large dairy operation in West Bloomfield. It is a sister dairy to Willow Bend Farm in Manchester and Spring Hope Dairy in Hopewell. All three farms are family-owned and operated. There are also field crop farms.
Education
West Bloomfield students attend Bloomfield Central Schools and Honeoye Falls-Lima Schools.
Key Landmarks and Attractions
Lazy Acre Alpacas: 180-acre farm where visitors can meet and learn about alpacas, then shop at an on-site boutique full of alpaca fashions.
Michael Prouty Memorial Park: This park has a baseball field, soccer fields, a basketball court and a walking path. There is a playground and pavilion.
West Bloomfield Congregational Church of Christ: Established in 1799, this church has a long history of progressive action. It was active in the abolitionist and civil rights movements, and had a female pastor in the 1890s, decades before women had the right to vote.
Schlenker Farm Market: Seasonal market offering homegrown produce, flowers and other foods.
Community Resources
Town of West Bloomfield: www.townofwestbloomfield.org
West Bloomfield Historical Society: www.wbhsny.org