Corning

Corning is a city in Steuben County in the western part of New York State, located in the Chemung River valley at roughly 284 meters elevation. The center spreads over several blocks with brick buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, now housing shops and galleries.

The settlement began in 1796 as a lumber trading post and was named after financier Erastus Corning. By the late 1800s, the town had shifted into a center for glass production, linking scientific and commercial applications together.

The Gaffer District hosts working studios where glassblowers demonstrate their craft daily, and visitors can watch molten material transform into finished objects. Many local artisans sell their handmade glass pieces in small shops along the main street.

Most points of interest sit within walking distance, and visitors can easily explore the downtown streets on foot. The museum and surrounding shops and restaurants see heavier crowds on weekends and during summer months.

The local company developed fiber optic cables in the 1970s that now enable global data transmission. Researchers here continue working on specialty glass for smartphone displays and optical technologies.

Location: Steuben County

Inception: 1796

Elevation above the sea: 284 m

Website: http://cityofcorning.com

GPS coordinates: 42.14353,-77.05434

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:45