Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Corning

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
A+History
History · Corning

Corning dates to 1796, and 47% of its homes were built before 1940

More historic than 98% of U.S. towns · #41 of 758 in New York. What drives it

7 places in town are on the National Register, among them three historic districts with 769 buildings between them. Below: 26 old photos and papers, maps from 1888 on, and the census since 1870.

1796founded
7on the National Register
47%homes built before 1940
26old photos & papers
24famous people
Add an old photoShare a memory
From Corning’s archive · credits on each photo
Quick answers

How Corning began

When was Corning founded?

1796

Corning dates its founding to 1796 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1870.

First census: 4,018 in 18702020 census: 10,551230 years

How historic is Corning?

A+

More historic than 98% of U.S. towns, on its age, its old homes and the National Register.

What drives the grade ↓
Founding year: Wikidata. First post office: 1840.The full story ↓
History grade

What drives Corning’s History grade

On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Corning is more historic than 98% of U.S. towns, #41 of 758 in New York. All 3 inputs are above most U.S. towns; its share of homes from before 1940 ranks highest and its age lowest.

A+
HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Corning’s overall grade.
Founding era1796, from Wikidata: founded 1776–1849, an older era than 75% of U.S. townsA−Homes built before 194046.6% of homes (±4.0) · typical NY town 26.6% · U.S. 8.4%A+National Register7 listings, 773 historic buildings, 726 per 10,000 residents · typical NY town 12.3 · U.S. 2.4A+
All U.S. towns we grade (21,289)Ahead of 98%
NewerOlder
New York towns of 2,500+ (758)Ahead of 95%

New York towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical New York town has 12.3 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Corning’s 726 sits above most of its state (94% of New York towns have fewer) while its 773 historic buildings outnumber those of 98% of U.S. towns.

NoteThe founding year comes from Wikidata alone; no second source gives 1796.
How sure. Graded on any two of the three inputs instead, the letter would still be A+. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±4.0 points).

Founding year: Wikidata (other dates in Quick answers). Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →

What stands out about Corning’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A historic districtThe Southside Historic District takes in 624 historic buildings.A town in postcards26 old photos, postcards and papers, 1869–1971.Mapped building by building7 fire insurance maps, 1888 to 1921, drew every building in Corning.Boom and bustPeaked at 17,684 in 1950; 10,551 people lived here in 2020.
★ What stands out · On the National Register

7 listings protect 773 historic buildings

The country’s official list of buildings and places worth saving. Boundary changes and added documentation are counted with their listing.

places listed
7
National Historic Landmarks
0
none yet
historic buildings protected
773
each building in a district counts
first listed
1973
Jenning's Tavern
Jenning's TavernMarket Street Historic DistrictUS Post Office-CorningWorld War Memorial Library, built 1897Southside Historic DistrictCorning ArmorySt. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church Complex
BuildingsDistricts

Architectural styles listings

Classical Revival3
Federal2
Mid-19th Century2
Greek Revival2
Late Victorian2
Italianate2
Jenning's TavernFederal
Market Street Historic DistrictRichardsonian Romanesque
US Post Office-CorningNeoclassical
World War Memorial LibraryColonial Revival · Built 1897
Southside Historic DistrictEarly Republic
Corning ArmoryGothic Revival
All 7 listings
St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church ComplexDistrict · listed 2025

National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited on each place’s page.

By decade

Corning, decade by decade

9 decades in the archive, from the 1860s to the 1970s. Scroll each row; tap a photo for its story.

1860s–1870s6 items
1869 George Washington Bank Note18691869 George Washington Bank Note1869 George Washington Bank Note18691869 George Washington Bank NoteBookGeorge Washington Bank Note dated 20 Feb 18691869George Washington Bank Note dated 20 Feb 1869Anzeige Arnold B. Heine’s Fancy Store1870Anzeige Arnold B. Heine’s Fancy StoreCenterville (Village); Corning (Township)1873Centerville (Village); Corning (Township)Corning (Village); Knoxville Business Notices.; Gibson (Village)1873Corning (Village); Knoxville Business Notices.; Gibso…
1890s–1900s9 items
[Amateur Snapshot Album]1890[Amateur Snapshot Album]Corning, N.Y1890Corning, N.YThe Palisades1890The PalisadesPalisades at Corning, N.Y1902Palisades at Corning, N.YPalisades at Corning, N.Y1902Palisades at Corning, N.YPalisades at Corning, N.Y1902Palisades at Corning, N.YOriginal Design Quiltc. 1907Original Design QuiltCorning Station1908Corning StationPostcardCorning Hospital 19091909Corning Hospital 1909Postcard
1910s–1960s6 items
N.Y.C. Terminal, Corning, N.Y1915N.Y.C. Terminal, Corning, N.YN.Y.C. Terminal1915N.Y.C. TerminalCorning Hospital c1920c. 1920Corning Hospital c1920PostcardPainted Post Indian Monument, Corning, N. Y., Tichnor Brothers, c. 1930-1945, from the Digital Commonwealth - 1 commonw…1930–1945Painted Post Indian Monument, Corning, N. Y., Tichnor…PostcardErie passenger train near1960Erie passenger train nearClose-up view of the cut - Erie Railway, Corning Side Hill Cut, Chemung River1968Close-up view of the cut - Erie Railway, Corning Side…
1970s1 item
1971-08-13 Making of Steuben glass - Corning Glass Center - Corning, New York - A gaffer or master glass blower fashion…19711971-08-13 Making of Steuben glass - Corning Glass Ce…Postcard
1980s–1990snothing yet
Nothing in the archives for these yearsWeddings on Main Street, storms, parades, school pictures, the old store. If it’s in your family album, it belongs here.
Add from your album
Date unknown4 to date
General view of the cut - Erie Railway, Corning Side Hill Cut, Chemung RiverDate?General view of the cut - Erie Railway, Corning Side …Remodeling of station - Erie Railway, Corning Station, Erie Avenue and Pine StreetDate?Remodeling of station - Erie Railway, Corning Station…Remodeling of station - Erie Railway, Corning Station, Erie Avenue and Pine StreetDate?Remodeling of station - Erie Railway, Corning Station…Side view of station, before remodeling - Erie Railway, Corning Station, Erie Avenue and Pine StreetDate?Side view of station, before remodeling - Erie Railwa…
Today33 recent
Pear tree spencer crest2022Pear tree spencer crestHilly scenery, Interstate 86 eastbound2022Hilly scenery, Interstate 86 eastboundChemung River as seen from Brisco Bridge, Corning, New York - 20221012 - 02 (eastward view)2022Chemung River as seen from Brisco Bridge, Corning, Ne…Chemung River as seen from Brisco Bridge, Corning, New York - 20221012 - 01 (westward view)2022Chemung River as seen from Brisco Bridge, Corning, Ne…Town hall2021Town hallMarket street arch2021Market street archCorning radio towers2021Corning radio towersCorning ny civil war memorial2021Corning ny civil war memorialCorning electric lines2021Corning electric linesCorning NY Courthouse2021Corning NY CourthouseCorning INC offices2021Corning INC officesCorelle factory2021Corelle factoryFred Tschida at home 20182018Fred Tschida at home 2018Seal of2015Seal ofPRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 052015PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 05PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 042015PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 04PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 022015PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 02PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 012015PRR 5898 Special, Corning, NY on October 9, 1987 01PRR 5898 Herald Corning, NY on October 9, 19872015PRR 5898 Herald Corning, NY on October 9, 1987Corning, NY2014Corning, NYCorning, NY - Puddle Reflection - Flickr - holl75102014Corning, NY - Puddle Reflection - Flickr - holl7510PA Cowanesque river and Lake NY Corning city IMG 1868 Tioga County2012PA Cowanesque river and Lake NY Corning city IMG 1868…PA Cowanesque river and Lake NY Corning city IMG 1867 Tioga County2012PA Cowanesque river and Lake NY Corning city IMG 1867…Corning Inc Headquarter2012Corning Inc HeadquarterPost office, Corning, N. Y2011Post office, Corning, N. YPostcardCourt house, Corning, N. Y2011Court house, Corning, N. YPostcardNY 225 End in2009NY 225 End inItalianate eave with brackets2009Italianate eave with bracketsUntitled photo2008Untitled photoCorning Museum of Glass2007Corning Museum of GlassRosewood Inn2007Rosewood InnPierris The Central Restaurant2007Pierris The Central RestaurantNY 352 through2007NY 352 through
Every building

Corning, building by building, 1888–1921

Fire insurance maps drew every building, what it was made of and what it was used for, so insurers could price the risk of fire. Pick a year, then a sheet.

Corning fire insurance map, 1888, sheet 11888Sheet 1 of 7
Edition
BrickWoodStone

Sanborn Map Company, via the Library of Congress. Editions published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

The story

How Corning came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Corning.

Read it all →

The first settlement in the town of Corning was made near the site of the future city in 1796. The community was incorporated as a village in 1848. Corning was incorporated as a city in 1890. As the glass industry developed, Corning became known as the "Crystal City" which was supported by companies such as Hawkes, Sinclair, and Hunt - which produced some of the finest American Brilliant Period cut glass between 1880 and 1915.

ChaptersThe flood of 1972

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

From the old history books

What they wrote about Corning, 1853–1911

Passages that mention Corning, cut from the printed page as they were published.

The work of constructing these railroads was commenced in 1836, and at the same time an association of gentlemen now known as the Corning Company, having purchased a large tract of land on both sides of the Chemung river, and laying out streets and lots, made a beginning of the future village of Co…
History of the settlement of Steuben County, New York1853 · page 202Read the page →
Read the text

The work of constructing these railroads was commenced in 1836, and at the same time an association of gentlemen now known as the Corning Company, having purchased a large tract of land on both sides of the Chemung river, and laying out streets and lots, made a beginning of the future village of Corning by the erection of a large hotel called the "Corning House." j The Corning and Blossburgh railroad was completed and put into operation in | 1840. About the same time the work of building the New York and Erie railroad which passes through the village was commenced in the vicinity and

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.
The Presbyterians established a church in the town, now city, of Corning in 1810; in the town of "Wheeler, the same year; in the town of Urbana, 1831 ; in the town of Hornellsville, 1832, and town of Erwin, 1835.
A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people1911 · page 194Read the page →
Read the text

The Presbyterians established a church in the town, now city, of Corning in 1810; in the town of "Wheeler, the same year; in the town of Urbana, 1831 ; in the town of Hornellsville, 1832, and town of Erwin, 1835.

Text read by machine from the scan; it may contain errors.

Scans and text from the Internet Archive. Books published in 1930 or earlier, which are in the public domain.

Timeline

Corning, 1796 to 2000

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 18th century
  2. 1796
    FoundingCorning is established
  3. 19th century
  4. 1840Post officeThe Corning post office opens
  5. 1869In the archive1869 George Washington Bank Note
  6. 1870In the archiveAnzeige Arnold B. Heine’s Fancy Store
  7. 1879Born hereMargaret Sanger is born here
  8. 1890In the archive[Amateur Snapshot Album]
  9. 1897BuiltWorld War Memorial Library is built
  10. 20th century
  11. 1902In the archivePalisades at Corning, N.Y
  12. 1902Born hereAlice Bigelow Tully is born here
  13. 1914On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  14. 1915In the archiveN.Y.C. Terminal, Corning, N.Y
  15. 1920In the archiveCorning Hospital c1920
  16. 1926Born hereAmo Houghton is born here
  17. 1950CensusPopulation peaks at 17,684
  18. 21st century
  19. 2000Born hereSamuel Sevian is born here
On the map

Corning on the map, 1914 to 1969

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Corning. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Corning on the 1914 USGS mapCorning on the 1944 USGS mapCorning on the 1953 USGS mapCorning on the 1969 USGS map1914Corning sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Corning.

Then & now

Stand where they stood

No then-and-now pairs yet. Take a photo from the same spot as an old one and they appear here side by side.

1869 George Washington Bank Note
Retake this view1869 George Washington Bank Note, 1869

Find the spot, match the angle, and add your photo. It becomes the first then-and-now pair on Corning’s page.

Retake this view · +15
People over time

Corning, census by census

02,0004,0006,0008,00010,00012,00014,00016,00018,00018801900192019401960198020002020Peak: 17,684

Peaked at 17,684 in 1950; 10,551 people lived here in 2020.

16 censuses, 1870–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Corning’s Wikipedia page.

Famous people

24 famous people were born in Corning

Writers, athletes, leaders and more, ranked by how widely they’re known.

See all →
Margaret SangerAmerican birth control activist and nurse · b. 1879
Samuel SevianAmerican chess player · b. 2000
Alice Bigelow TullyAmerican singer, patron · b. 1902
Amo HoughtonAmerican politician · b. 1926
Ethel ByrneAmerican nurse · b. 1883
Guyford SteverAmerican administrator, physicist, educator, an… · b. 1916
Places that used to be

Places now gone

Corning’s post office has been open since 1840.

Gone or out of use
North Side Grammar SchoolschoolSaint Mary's Conventchurch

US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock, CC0). Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

Help out

Finish Corning’s story

Most archives stop around 1920. The photos from after that are in family albums, not libraries.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
6 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Date a photo4 archive items have no date. Guess the decade.+2Retake an old view1869 George Washington Bank Note: stand where they stood+15Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

RiversideIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townSouth CorningIts storyC

Questions about Corning’s history

What year was Corning founded?

In 1796, according to Wikidata. Corning’s post office opened in 1840, and the census of 1870 counted 4,018 people here.

How does Corning rank for history?

Corning is more historic than 98% of U.S. towns, #41 of 758 in New York. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.

What is on the National Register in Corning?

7 listings: 4 buildings, among them the Jenning's Tavern (listed 1973, the first), and 3 historic districts, the Market Street Historic District, the Southside Historic District and the St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church Complex, with 769 contributing buildings. 773 historic buildings in all.

How old are the homes in Corning?

47% of Corning’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±4.0 points), against a typical 27% for a New York town; the median home was built in 1943.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

From Wikimedia Commons (54), the Library of Congress (5), the National Register of Historic Places (7), Wikipedia, Wikidata and Wikipedia for famous people, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia), the US Post Offices dataset (Blevins & Helbock), the USGS Geographic Names Information System, Sanborn fire insurance maps (Library of Congress) and old county and town histories (Internet Archive). Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.