Welcome to the official website for the Town of Machias, New York.
Machias was first settled by Major Timothy Butler and his family in 1807. They came from Maine and settled along Ischua Creek. Major Butler began improving his land and tapped 1400 maple trees. Other settlers began arriving in 1810, buying land on credit from the Holland Company. To make money, the settlers produced black salts from the hardwood forests. In later years, they sold the lumber for a much larger profit than the salts. By 1818, a dozen families had settled in the Machias area. Mills were built at Lime Lake and a distillery and ashery were constructed. The first store was built at the outlet of Lime Lake. The first saw mill was opened in 1820, and in 1823, the first grist mill opened; both were at Lime Lake. On April 6, 1827, Machias was formed from Yorkshire and became its own town. It received its name from Machias, Maine, from where the first settlers had come. It had previously been called Machias Five Corners and Chickasaw.
Please see the "Calendar" page for the latest meeting updates. The "Community News" page lists events happening in Town and information relevant to the community. If you would like your event posted or want to share news with the Town, please contact the Town Clerk, Rebecca Grimmelt, at 716-353-8207 or by e-mail at [email protected].