Welcome to Dansville, New York
How to Get Here

Village of Dansville as seen from a balloon.

The Village of Dansville, NY was founded in 1795 and named after Daniel Faulkner, an early settler. Dansville is surrounded by wooded hills and fertile farmlands in a valley that is part of the Genesee River watershed. Less than an hour's drive south of Rochester, Dansville is located at the western end of the Finger Lakes region of Western New York. The population is approximately 6000, and has grown in size little during the past century. Yet Dansville boasts light and heavy industry, an airport, and one of the best community hospitals in New York State.

Dansville has an unusually rich history. Seneca Indians farmed, hunted and fished here for centuries before the arrival of European settlers. It was in Dansville that Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross. In 1858 a water cure enterprise was established which rivaled the health resorts of Europe and attracted such luminaries as Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony, and Horace Greeley.

Dansville is a Main Street community, with stores, restaurants and a movie theater clustered among a few blocks of historic buildings. Old maples shade the residential streets. The local hills, streams and woods give Dansville access to great natural beauty. The gorge at near-by Stony Brook State Park features sheer cliffs, stone walkways and three waterfalls.

Dansville has many active civic organizations. A theater group produces various offerings during the year. A weekly newspaper and two radio stations are located here. Four major festivals occur here annually.

Dansville's spirit shines most brightly in the many individuals who work and volunteer in our industries, hospital, schools, library, parks, and in many other ways hold lights aloft to keep our community moving forward.

How to Get Here

Take exits 4 or 5 on Interstate 390.
Or fly-in to Dansville Municipal Airport.

Photo credits: Aerial view courtesy of Jerry Rauber. Little League parade by Tony Witte
Map credits: Tony Witte

Main Menu | Home Last Modified: July 22, 2002
Tony Witte
tjwitte@frontiernet.net