 Angelica Park Circle
2025 Angelica Merchants & Angelica Booster Citizens Angelica, NY 14709 dedeward@hotmail.com or 466-7658 |
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Angelica was first settled in 1802 and established in 1805 by Captain Philip Church. This nephew of Alexander Hamilton named the town after his mother, Angelica Schuyler Church. Captain Church selected the site of the village and directed surveyor Everett van Wickle to lay it out. A central circle was made into a park, and all the important community structures were built on its circumference. Picturesque Park Circle continues to figure prominently into village life today. A beautiful public green at the center of the Village was a gift from Captain and Mrs. Church. Concerts, festivals, a farmers' market, and other entertainments take place there year round. Angelica possesses the classic attributes of a premiere cultural tourism destination. There are dozens of historic buildings, many of which are included in a 900 acre National Historic District. It has a rich history as a mill town and later as a hub on the Pittsburg, Shawmut, & Northern Railroad. Residents take great pride in their community with its wide, tree lined Main Street, its elegant and historic homes, and beautiful, rural vistas. Much of what drives the village economy is related to Angelica's National Historic District and the charming downtown businesses operating within it. Along West Main Street there are numerous shops offering antiques, collectibles, pottery, gifts, and furnishings; several places to enjoy a delicious meal or dessert; and 19th century lodging establishments. The village was named a "Walk the Villages" Community in 2008 by Senator Cathy Young's office. Angelica's history, architecture, and culture have made it a place people want to visit for a day, a weekend, or a lifetime...stop by and enjoy our beautiful and unique village!
Beautiful Architecture & Sites
"Angelica, first town on the map"
Thanks to the Holland Purchase, John B. Church, a prominent Englishman who loaned money to the colonial government, became the owner of 100,000 acres of land.
His son, Capt. Philip Church, acquired a half-interest in this tract, known as the Church Tract, which was 26 miles long and 6 miles wide. In 1801, he, along with Evert Van Wickle, Moses Van Campen, John Gibson, John Lewis and Stephen Price began exploration of Church Tract. According to the book "Angelica at 200," the area was unbroken wilderness, full of trees and wildlife, including bears and wolves.
After a thorough examination by the group, Capt. Philip Church chose a site for the town. He named it after his mother, Angelica Schuyler Church. Evert Van Wickle made a map of the area and advertised the property in the New York Herald Tribune in June 10, 1803. Park Circle was the center of the town, with roads leading north, south, east and west. Angelica was a part of Leicester until 1805, when it officially became a town. The first town meeting was held in April 1805 at the home of Joseph Taylor. With the start of Allegany County in 1806, Angelica was selected as the county seat.
The Good and Bad
Right out of the gate Angelica enjoyed some good times. As the county seat, it attracted the best lawyers, had the best market and enjoyed years that were both busy and prosperous. Early settlers made use of the vast forest, using wood for fuel, selling the ashes and bartering the sugar from maples at local stores.
Wood was also used to build homes and other dwellings, as well as bridges, wagons and furniture. Besides lumbering, early settlers were farmers, making use of the cleared landscape. "Getting started, this place didn't have any one thing for economic activity," David Haggstrom, president of the Angelica Booster Citizens Inc., said. "There was lumbering and a little bit of farming."
The War of 1812 took its toll on the town, though, as many men from the area were off to war. "There were some building expansions going on, with some money here and some money there," Mr. Haggstrom said. "It was nothing like oil money, but there was prosperity." On Oct. 8, 1844, the first Allegany County Fair was held.
- Tyler Briggs, Olean Times Herald
- Jul 28, 2009
Thanks to the Holland Purchase, John B. Church, a prominent Englishman who loaned money to the colonial government, became the owner of 100,000 acres of land.
His son, Capt. Philip Church, acquired a half-interest in this tract, known as the Church Tract, which was 26 miles long and 6 miles wide. In 1801, he, along with Evert Van Wickle, Moses Van Campen, John Gibson, John Lewis and Stephen Price began exploration of Church Tract. According to the book "Angelica at 200," the area was unbroken wilderness, full of trees and wildlife, including bears and wolves.
After a thorough examination by the group, Capt. Philip Church chose a site for the town. He named it after his mother, Angelica Schuyler Church. Evert Van Wickle made a map of the area and advertised the property in the New York Herald Tribune in June 10, 1803. Park Circle was the center of the town, with roads leading north, south, east and west. Angelica was a part of Leicester until 1805, when it officially became a town. The first town meeting was held in April 1805 at the home of Joseph Taylor. With the start of Allegany County in 1806, Angelica was selected as the county seat.
The Good and Bad
Right out of the gate Angelica enjoyed some good times. As the county seat, it attracted the best lawyers, had the best market and enjoyed years that were both busy and prosperous. Early settlers made use of the vast forest, using wood for fuel, selling the ashes and bartering the sugar from maples at local stores.
Wood was also used to build homes and other dwellings, as well as bridges, wagons and furniture. Besides lumbering, early settlers were farmers, making use of the cleared landscape. "Getting started, this place didn't have any one thing for economic activity," David Haggstrom, president of the Angelica Booster Citizens Inc., said. "There was lumbering and a little bit of farming."
The War of 1812 took its toll on the town, though, as many men from the area were off to war. "There were some building expansions going on, with some money here and some money there," Mr. Haggstrom said. "It was nothing like oil money, but there was prosperity." On Oct. 8, 1844, the first Allegany County Fair was held.
Many Reasons to Visit Angelica
Hamilton Connection – Named by Philip Church in honor of his mother, Angelica Schuyler Church, sister-in-law of Alexander Hamilton
Area with most state land in WNY for the BEST hunting, fishing, camping, other outdoor activities
Honor Our Veterans – Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov 11
National Register of Historic Places – Original County Court House (listed 1972) / Belvidere
Mansion (1972) Park Circle Historic District (1978) / Moses Van Campen House (2004)
Alton Sylor Memorial Bridge over Joncy Gorge – Longest clear-span timber-arch bridge in U.S.
Authentic Louis Tiffany Church windows
Game of Roque – 19th Century variation of croquet - clay court with wooden sideboards [see Attractions]
Angelica Free Library – Colonial Rooms Museum
“Best Tasting Water in NY State”
Great 19th century architecture, with beautiful tree-lined streets
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2025 Village of Angelica Mayor: Robert Claypool * Trustees: Bob Perry, Todd Haggstrom, Craig Miller * Clerk: Makenzie Marsh
(585) 466-7431
2025 Town of Angelica Supervisor: Bob Jones * Councilmen: Elwyn Gordon, John Hecker, Don Case, Girard Kelly * Clerk: Sherri Presutti
(585) 466-3280
BUS TOURS WELCOME! * PLENTY OF FREE PARKING
Hamilton Connection – Named by Philip Church in honor of his mother, Angelica Schuyler Church, sister-in-law of Alexander Hamilton
Area with most state land in WNY for the BEST hunting, fishing, camping, other outdoor activities
Honor Our Veterans – Memorial Day Parade and Veterans Day Ceremony, Nov 11
National Register of Historic Places – Original County Court House (listed 1972) / Belvidere
Mansion (1972) Park Circle Historic District (1978) / Moses Van Campen House (2004)
Alton Sylor Memorial Bridge over Joncy Gorge – Longest clear-span timber-arch bridge in U.S.
Authentic Louis Tiffany Church windows
Game of Roque – 19th Century variation of croquet - clay court with wooden sideboards [see Attractions]
Angelica Free Library – Colonial Rooms Museum
“Best Tasting Water in NY State”
Great 19th century architecture, with beautiful tree-lined streets
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2025 Village of Angelica Mayor: Robert Claypool * Trustees: Bob Perry, Todd Haggstrom, Craig Miller * Clerk: Makenzie Marsh
(585) 466-7431
2025 Town of Angelica Supervisor: Bob Jones * Councilmen: Elwyn Gordon, John Hecker, Don Case, Girard Kelly * Clerk: Sherri Presutti
(585) 466-3280
BUS TOURS WELCOME! * PLENTY OF FREE PARKING