Elmira

Phoebe Elmira Teall, an innkeeper's daughter, is the namesake for the town of Elmira, the village, and eventually the city when it incorporated in 1864. Elmira prospered during the Civil War, becoming a rendezvous and depot for New Yorkers going to war and home to a Confederate prison camp known as Helmira. Today, the city is the site of Woodlawn National Cemetery. Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, was married in Elmira and later buried here. Two New York State governors, Lucius D. Robinson and David B. Hill; Hal Roach, the creator of The Little Rascals; and Ernie Davis, the first African American Heisman Trophy winner, called Elmira home. Elmira's rich cultural and ethnic heritage, beautiful churches, and grand Victorian homes make the name Queen City seem appropriate. Elmira became the place to go for education at Elmira College, health care, shopping, or just to have fun at Eldridge Park.

In Elmira, James E. Hare and James Arthur "Archie" Kieffer provide a glimpse of Elmira's first century as a city. Hare is a retired history teacher and former city councilman and mayor of Elmira. Archie Kieffer is the county historian. He has authored two books and written numerous articles on local history. All author proceeds from the sale of this book will go to the Chemung County Historical Society.