Documentary History of American Water-works

Hornell

Hornell, New York

Hornells was incorporated as the village of Hornellsville in 1852 and as a city in 1888. The name was changed to Hornell in 1906.

The Hornell Water Company was incorporated on May 23, 1873, but did not do anything for some time. In 1879, Walter P. Hanchett proposed a system of water works on behalf of W. L. Wiley & Co. but the village did not accept the offers. A system was eventually built that began service on December 1, 1882, largely with the financial support of Nimon M. Crane.. $50,000 of the company's $125,000 capital stock was included in the formation of the American Water Works and Guarantee Company, Limited in 1886. The remainder of the company's stock was acquired by the American Water Works and Guarantee Company around 1891.

The city bought the water company on September 10, 1901 for $300,000.

Water is provided by the City of Hornell.

References
1873 An act to incorporate the Hornellsville Water Company, May 23, 1873.

1879 "Water Works," Hornellsville Tribune (Hornellsville, New York), February 14, 1879, Page 3.
A movement is under foot to furnish the city with water works without any expense to the corporation, by a responsible company.
Mr. W. P. Hanchett, of South Bend, Ind., representing S. L. Wiley & Co. Hydraulic Engineers and Contractors, of Boston, Mass., is in town, stopping at the Osborne House, and has been looking over the ground. If satisfactory arrangements can be made with the city in regard to the use of hydrants the project will be carried out. A large reservoir is to be constructed some distance from town on a sufficient elevation to get the pressure, and the water brought to the city in a 24-inch pipe, and will be distributed in l6-inch pipe wherever a committee may conclude may be desirable. The whole expense of constructing the works will be borne by the company without cost to the corporation, and they will be warranted first-class in every respect. The company has just finished extensive works at Tiffin, Ohio, and South Bend, Ind. Mr. Wiley is expected here on Monday, and the matter will be properly laid before the city authorities. It is an enterprise that will have the good wishes of every citizen. We shall have more to say upon the subject as the matter is being developed.

1883 Hornellsville, Engineering News, 10:10 (January 6, 1883)

1888 "Hornellsville," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 1.

1890 "Hornellsville," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 2.

1891 "Hornellsville," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 3.

1897 "Hornellsville," from Manual of American Water Works, Volume 4.

1899 An act to establish and maintain a water department in and for the city of Hornellsville. May 25, 1899. Accepted by the city.

1901 "Well Sell its Plant," Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, June 20, 1901, Page 1.
Hornellsville water company agrees to on sale to the city for $300,000.

1901 "City Assumes Control," Elmira Star-Gazette, September 11, 1901, Page 8.

1910 Application of the City of Hornell to make extensions to its present water system. Approved August 24, 1910.

1911 A history of Steuben County, New York, and its people, Volume 1, by Irvin W. Near
Page 276: General Niron M. Crane. He advanced funds for the development and construction of the water works.