Horseheads, town of New York, USA
Horseheads is a town in Chemung County, New York that spans about 36 square miles (93 square kilometers) with a predominantly rural character. The landscape includes residential areas surrounded by trees, several small streams running through the region, and major routes like Interstate 86 and State Route 17 connecting it to nearby cities such as Elmira and Corning.
The town was established in 1835 from parts of other towns, with a village originally called Fairport incorporated in 1837 and renamed Horseheads in 1845. The name originated from a 1779 military campaign led by General George Washington against the Iroquois, during which soldiers left numerous horse remains that became the source of the place name.
Visitors can walk through the town to explore residential neighborhoods, small parks, and a community library. Good road access via Interstate 86 and regional bus services make it easy to travel to and from nearby Elmira and surrounding areas.
The town housed a major military storage facility called The Holding Point during World War II, where German and Italian prisoners of war worked. This lesser-known chapter connects the community to global events in unexpected ways.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
