SHELDON CENTER
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
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NYS Historic
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Building, Industry & Commerce, Site
- 1431 Centerline Rd, Varysburg, NY 14167, USA
- 42.737614, -78.387849
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Town of Sheldon
SHELDON CENTER
Inscription
SHELDON CENTERHAMLET EST. AS EARLY AS 1813.
COMMUNITY FEATURED HOTELS,
STORES, POST OFFICE, MILLINERY,
TAVERNS, CHEESE FACTORY,
BLACKSMITH, CHURCH & SCHOOL.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2026
The Town of Sheldon was formed from the Town of Batavia in 1808. Settlement in the area led to the establishment of the hamlet of Sheldon Center as early as 1813. While it is thought that the Protestant Episcopal church existed as early as 1811, its presence was definitively documented by 1813.
By 1853, the hamlet included a blacksmith shop, a store, a tavern, and a schoolhouse. Development continued through 1866, by which time the community had added two hotels, a millinery, and a post office. Sheldon Center is also cited as the location of the area’s first Masonic Lodge.
The hamlet remained a local hub into the early 20th century, serving as the site for Democratic and Republican caucuses. In 1924, a Sweitzer cheese factory was established in the community. As of 2026, the area is still known as Sheldon Center, although none of the original businesses remain.