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PROCLAMATION
TOWN OF ENFIELD 2021 BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the Town of Enfield stands on the traditional land of the Gayogohó꞉nǫ, known as
the Cayuga Nation, members of the Haudenosaunee Confederation, also known as The
People of the Long House, and we recognize them as custodians and
Whereas, on March 16, 1821, the Town of Enfield, consisting of a population of 1304 people,
was founded and incorporated by subdividing approximately 6 square miles from thirty-six lots
of the southern portion of Military Township Lot no. 22, of the Town of Ulysses, and
Whereas, the first Town meeting was held at the home of John Applegate, and
Whereas, the Town of Enfield spreads across a valley, dotted with rolling hills, ponds,
streams, woodlands and open fields and,
Whereas, Enfield’s first official highway was an extension of the 1804 Jericho Turnpike,
constructed in 1825, and
Whereas, in 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation
Camp (CCC). Camp SP-6 used the Park as their home. Over 100 young men lived at the
camp until 1941, and
Whereas, agriculture has been a way of life for many residents and by 1865, 80% of the
Town’s land was used for farming. Enfield agriculture is currently experiencing a period of
resurgence. Many of the established farmers are expanding their operations, and
Whereas, the Town of Enfield is home to a State Park known as Robert H. Treman State
Park, containing Lucifer Falls, Enfield Falls and a grist mill constructed in 1838, and
Whereas, the Enfield Valley Grange, #295 was organized in February 1875 and is currently
still operating and
Whereas, Enfield has had 14 public one and two room schools within its borders, but now has
just one, the Ithaca City School District Elementary School built in 1959, and Enfield children
also attend the Central Districts of Trumansburg, Odessa and Newfield schools and
Whereas, the Town supported 5 churches during its first 25 years of existence: the First
Baptist Church, founded 1817 and still active today; the Christian Church of Enfield, 1821; the
Presbyterian Church, 1832; the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1835; and the Methodist
Episcopal Church at Kennedy’s Corners, 1844. Additionally, the Living Water Church was
founded 2001 and the Agape Church, founded 1980, is still active in the Town, and
Whereas, there have been been 4 post offices in the Town, the first being established on
December 29, 1822 at the Applegate Tavern, while the West Enfield Post Office was
established 1832, the Enfield Centre, 1846, and the Enfield Falls, 1882, and all are now
discontinued, and
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PROCLAMATION
TOWN OF ENFIELD 2021 BICENTENNIAL PROCLAMATION
Whereas, The Enfield Volunteer Fire Company was formed in January of 1948 to protect
residents’ property and The Ladies’ Fire Auxiliary was organized in 1953, to support the Fire
Department’s activities, and
Whereas, the Enfield Community Council was founded in 1976 to provide youth programming
for children and youth of the Town and to operate civic, social, recreational, educational and
cultural programs, classes, projects and activities for the betterment of the Town, and is
currently in support of a new Community Building in 2021, and
Whereas, Enfield Town Government went from meeting in homes and hotels to its first town
hall in 1921, to a new town hall and town highway garage in 1966 to include a community
building using the original fire house built in 1949, now used as the Town Court, meeting
facility and Food Pantry, and a new Highway Building was built in 2012 and,
Whereas, the goals of the Town’s Bicentennial Committee include celebrating our history,
encouraging Town residents to learn more about and take pride in in our Town, and
Whereas, we have planned initiatives during 2021 to celebrate our Bicentennial, now
therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Town Board approves this 2021 Bicentennial Proclamation and, hereby
invites all residents and visitors to join us in celebrating.
Moved by Stephanie Redmond, seconded by Bob Lynch
Vote: Ayes – Stephanie Redmond, Bob Lynch, Jude Lemke. Abstained – James Ricks
March 10, 2020 Enfield Town Board