About Williamson, New York
The Town of Williamson was established in 1802, and was named for Charles Williamson. Charles Williamson was a land agent who worked for Sir William Pultney, the owner of much of what is now Central and Western New York. Mr. Williamson was charged with the responsibility of encouraging settlers to come to this area.
Williamson was part of the Underground Railroad. Griffith Cooper, a prominent abolitionist, had a home in Williamson, which had a hiding place for fugitive slaves. Pultneyville was a prominent lakeport for local produce being shipped to Canada and sometimes the “produce” included the slaves who would find freedom in Canada. Griffith Cooper is buried in a small Quaker cemetery on Pearsall Road.
Our total land area is 36 square miles. The population in 2020 was 6,860. The Town of Williamson does not have a village but has a downtown area. Williamson, East Williamson, and Pultneyville are hamlets within the Town of Williamson. State Routes 104 and 21 are major roads that intersect in Williamson. Lake Ontario is our northern border and the lake attracts many tourists.
Williamson is about 25 miles east of the City of Rochester and much of our economy is affected by that. Many people in Williamson work in Rochester or its suburbs. We are also an important agricultural area, producing large quantities of apples, cherries, pears, cabbage, snap beans, corn and potatoes. Motts has a processing plant and Richardson Foods has a warehouse in Williamson.
Williamson Central School is a K-12 public school housed in three separate buildings, K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. We also have a BOCES vocational training center in Williamson, which serves students from all over Wayne County.
Williamson’s annual Apple Blossom Festival is the third weekend in May. Lake Ontario offers swimming and sunbathing. There are also charter boats for some of the best fishing in the Great Lakes. Most operate out of Sodus Point, which is a 15-minute drive from Williamson. For the auto racing fan there’s Spencer Speedway racetrack. There are several historic homes, and live musical theater at Gates Hall in Pultneyville. Farm fresh produce is available at many locations around town.
The chief fiscal officer of the Town is also the Town Supervisor, who is elected for a term of four years. The Town Board consists of the Supervisor and four Town Councilmembers who are elected for four-year terms. The Town Clerk, Highway Superintendent and two Town Justices are also elected officials who have four-year terms.