Jamestown

Jamestown is a city in southwestern New York State that sits on the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake and is surrounded by forested hills. The Chadakoin River flows northwest and links the lake to Conewango Creek, while the downtown area stretches along its banks.

A settler from Virginia established the town in the early 19th century as forests around Chautauqua Lake were cleared for farming and timber. Over the following decades it grew into a furniture production center that drew craftsmen from Scandinavia and southern Europe.

The city takes its name from James Prendergast, an early settler from Virginia whose influence shaped the town's development. Many streets and buildings in the center still reflect the Swedish and Italian immigrant communities who established furniture workshops and trades here in the 19th century.

Most landmarks and facilities are located along Main Street and adjacent roads in the center, which can be explored easily on foot. Proximity to the lake offers summer hiking and boating opportunities, while winter snowfall can make roads more difficult to navigate.

A local mechanic invented the adjustable wrench here in the late 19th century, a tool that later found its way into workshops around the world. The tool factories that grew from this invention shaped the town's economy for generations.

Location: Chautauqua County

Inception: 1810

Elevation above the sea: 525 m

Website: http://jamestownny.net

GPS coordinates: 42.09652,-79.23803

Latest update: December 15, 2025 17:11