Γνωρίστε την πόλη... Ελλάδα (Greece), στην Πολιτεία Νέα Υόρκη, των ΗΠΑ

Γνωρίστε την πόλη... Ελλάδα (Greece),
στην Πολιτεία Νέα Υόρκη, των ΗΠΑ
Δημιουργήθηκε στα 1822 και ονομάστηκε "Ελλάδα", ως συμπαράσταση των κατοίκων της στον αγώνα των Ελλήνων γι' ανεξαρτησία από τους Τούρκους. "The name is also a tribute to this old-world nation, a symbol of intellectual and athletic excellence"...
Το πρώτο γυμνάσιο της πόλης (δεκαετία '60) ονομάστηκε "Ολυμπία". Τα επόμενα 4 ονομάστηκαν: "Αρκαδία", "Απόλλων", "Αθηνά", "Οδύσσεια".

Town of Greece (Πόλη, Ελλάδα): Population-Πληθυσμός (year 2000): 94,141. Males-'Ανδρες: 45,186 (48.0%), Females-Γυναίκες: 48,955 (52.0%)
County-Κομητεία, "νομός": Monroe, State-Πολιτεία, "κράτος": New York

Από την ιστοσελίδα του Εμπορικού Επιμελητήριου της πόλης, αντιγράφουμε:

GREECE - EARLY HISTORY
In the early 1300s, Algonquin Indians and the Iroquois began settling along the shores of Lake Ontario, near its bays and ponds and in the Genesee Valley. As their civilizations grew, and the Seneca joined the Iroquois League, paths through the woods became main thoroughfares, many of which are still in use today. According to local historians, many of the main roads in town, including parts of Ridge Road, Long Pond Road and Dewey Avenue, were constructed along these paths.
The first white settlers to the area, arriving in the 1790s, were William Hincher, a Revolutionary War veteran, and James Latta, a merchant seaman. Though no documentation exists, it is believed that the Latta family was heavily involved with the famed Underground Railroad. Slaves seeking freedom in Canada were hidden in Samuel Latta's warehouse in Charlotte where they awaited transportation across the lake.

THE OFFICIAL BEGINNING
The Town of Greece was incorporated in 1822. It was named after the country of Greece, as a show of support as the Greek people fought for their independence from Turkish rule. The name is also a tribute to this old-world nation a symbol of intellectual and athletic excellence.
The Town of Greece was formed from the northern part of the town of Gates. In 1823, extension of the Erie Canal resulted in the development of the southern part of town. Mason workers came from Europe to help build the canal and often settled here. Many of them built cobblestone houses, some of which still stand today.
Throughout the 1800s, the local economy centered on agriculture. Many of the beautiful farmhouses that were built during this period have been converted for commercial use. The Upton-Paine house, now Ridgemont Country Club, is one such home. (A handful of people associated with the club even claim that the house is haunted by Mr. & Mrs. Upton.) The Greece Historical Society currently occupies the charming Larkin-Beattie-Howe house built in the 1850's. (Gordon Howe, former Greece Supervisor, raised his family there.)

CHARLOTTE
The history of Greece would not be complete without mentioning Charlotte. Incorporated as a village in 1869, Charlotte was the center of the community for many years. Its quaint lighthouse has been pictured in the town seal since its inception.
In the early 1900s, the Manitou Trolley carried summer vacationers to the many resort hotels contained within eight scenic miles along the shore of Lake Ontario. It only cost a nickel to go from Charlotte to Manitou Beach, crossing Braddocks Bay on a wooden trestle. In 1916, Charlotte was annexed from Greece to become the 23rd Ward of the City of Rochester.

NEW BEGINNINGS
The turn of the century brought about changes which shifted the economic focus from agriculture to industry. Photography magnate George Eastman opened the first Kodak plant in 1891. Kodak became the largest employer in the area, and its success fueled the town's growth. Further economic development was also spurred by local grocers: brothers John and Walter Wegman founded Wegmans Food Markets, in 1931. Wegmans has been expanding ever since, and is recognized as one of the country's premier grocery operations. (Many members of the Wegman family still reside in Greece.)
The shift from agriculture to industry was also a result of devastating crop losses in 1934. An unusually severe freeze that winter destroyed many orchards. Additionally, World War II brought about the building of more industrial plants to support the war effort. Post-war peace combined with a swell in population throughout the late 1940s and 50s, lead to even more industrialization and commercialization, especially along Ridge Road.
Greece Olympia, the town's first high school, was built in the 1960s. With the town's population approaching 75,000 in 1970, many new shopping plazas and churches were formed. Park Ridge Hospital was built in 1975 on Long Pond Road, and the Historical Center opened on English Road in 1978.

RECENT HISTORY
One of the most important new developments was in 1983 with the construction of the I-390 highway running north from Ridge Road to the Lake Ontario Parkway. Another remarkable development was the formation of Greece Ridge Center in 1994. It was formed when Greece Towne Mall and Long Ridge Mall were connected, making it one of the largest shopping malls in the northeastern United States.
In 1997, the town government moved to its new location on Vince Tofany Boulevard, and the old town hall on Ridge Road was demolished as part of the redevelopment of Ridge Road. The original cupola from the old town hall was saved and is now part of the Greece Historical Center and Museum, in the old Larkin-Beattie-Howe house, now on Long Pong Road.

Greece today is the gateway to recreational paradise. Nearby ski areas like Brantling and Bristol Mountain and state parks like Darien Lakes, Hamlin Beach, Oak Orchard Marine and Lakeside Beach cater to a variety of recreational needs. Locals partake in camping, biking, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling at Hamlin State Park. More adventurous residents hike Lake Ontario's Waterfront Trail, which spans 218 miles.

Niagara Reservation State Park, a few hours away, is the home of the famous Niagara Falls, Prospect Point and plenty of islands. In addition, a scenic trolley, a discovery center and an observation tower enhance visitors outdoor experience. Shoppers embrace the Greece Ridge Center Mall, which has numerous department stores and more than 200 specialty stores.
Greece's Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Museum and Rochester's International Museum of Photography enrich the area's culture and history. Students can choose from many local colleges and universities including Roberts Wesleyan College, University of Rochester and State University of New York College.
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Approximately 94,000 people reside in Monroe County's Greece, a northwestern suburb of Rochester. About 40% of the city's land is undeveloped and rural, providing a reminder of the area's agricultural past. Lake Ontario is adjacent to town. Greece is just an hour or two from exciting destinations including Niagara Falls, Buffalo and the Canadian border. Ski areas and state parks are nearby as well, allowing for endless recreational fun.
The Niagara Reservation State Park the nation's oldest state park makes for a perfect weekend getaway. In addition to enjoying their town's favorable location, residents also enjoy its seasonal climate. Rainy autumns, cold and snowy winters, cool and rainy springs and hot summers are created in part by Greece's proximity to the Great Lakes. Downtown Rochester is about 15 minutes from town. The Greater Rochester International Airport is about four miles away and an Amtrak station and bus services are nearby as well.
More than 14,000 students attend more than 20 schools in the Greece Central School District. Several private or parochial schools are also available. The Greece Performing Arts Society encompasses choral, theater and arts groups and an orchestra, providing a cultural richness to the community.
Greece's largest industry is the Eastman Kodak Company. IBM, Bausch & Lomb and Xerox are large employers as well. Real estate offerings consist mainly of single-family detached homes, although some condominiums and townhouses are also available at very affordable prices. The lush scenery, cultural wealth and diverse, affordable real estate market of Greece make it a dynamic hometown for families of any shape or size.