The History of Milford
From Indigenous presence and eighteenth-century settlement to railroads, agriculture, industry and community life, Milford's story stretches across thousands of years.
From survey lands to an organized town
Local tradition identifies a squatter named Carr as the first European settler to enter the Milford area, although he did not remain. In 1769, Richard Smith of New Jersey surveyed the Otsego Patent for potential land speculation after passing through Cherry Valley. Long before either man arrived, archaeological evidence shows that Indigenous peoples had lived and traveled in this region since approximately 11,000 BC.
Matthew Cully and his son David arrived in 1772 and began a settlement near present-day Milford Center in 1773. The Revolutionary War disrupted the settlement, but Major Matthew Cully and his sons returned in 1783 to find their cabin still standing. They improved the property and sold it to Thomas Mumford in 1784. Mumford had a grist mill operating by 1786 and built the area's first frame house in 1795.
The municipality was first organized as the Town of Suffrage and included portions of what later became the Town and City of Oneonta. James Moore served as the first Town Supervisor and Scott Henry as the first Town Clerk. At a reorganization meeting held at Eaton's Tavern in May 1800, Col. Joseph Mumford proposed changing the name to the Town of Milford. The State Legislature approved the petition, and the existing officers remained in place.
Moments that shaped the community
Milford's development reflects the larger story of central New York: water-powered industry, agriculture, transportation, education and civic organization.
The first Susquehanna dam
Peter Collier and Jared Goodyear built a dam near the present site, the first dam on the river between Otsego Lake and Tidewater.
Rail service arrives
The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad began passenger service between Cooperstown Junction and Cooperstown.
Village incorporation
The Village of Milford was incorporated, with George Bissell serving as its first president.
Goodyear Lake power
The present dam and hydroelectric station were built to power the region's electric railroad system.
Centralized education
Milford became one of New York's early centralized school districts and opened a new brick school.
The Sayre House preserved
The historic Sayre House was deeded to the Greater Milford Historical Association for preservation and interpretation.
Milford through the years
Open each period to explore the events, institutions and people recorded in Milford's local history.
Settlement, roads and early institutions1785–1846
Isaac Collier settled in Colliersville. Moses and Noah Ford were among the first settlers in Milford Village.
Peter Van Alstine, the first doctor in the Milford area, lived in Colliersville. Levi Adams and Stukley Whitford established themselves at Edson Corners.
James McCollum established the first tavern in Milford Village, and David Cully operated the first grist mill on Eddy Creek.
The first bridge over the Susquehanna was built at the mouth of Cherry Valley Creek. David, Matthew and John Cully purchased 430 acres along the river from Sam Allison.
James Moore organized Milford's first school district, with Increase Niles as the first teacher. The first bridge across the Susquehanna at Colliersville was also constructed.
A road opened between Mount Vision, then called Quakers Corners, and Edson Corners.
Thomas Mumford donated land for Milford Cemetery. The Rev. Reed held the first recorded religious service near Milford.
The first school was established in Milford Center. Isaac Edson opened a store and tavern at Edson Corners after previously opening Milford Village's first store.
William Stevens settled on a farm below Portlandville. His son Ezra Stevens later became an important local historian.
John Edson and his sons Jacob and Isaac developed a store, tavern, hotel, ashery and gun room at Edson Corners. Jacob acted as the town's first lawyer.
Peter Collier and Jared Goodyear built the first dam on the Susquehanna between Otsego Lake and Tidewater.
The Sayre family moved to Milford and built the Sayre House, now associated with the Greater Milford Historical Association.
Milford's first post office opened.
The Colliersville Homestead was built by Peter Collier.
The first post office opened in Colliersville.
The Town of Oneonta was created from part of Milford's southwest corner, including the Richardson Hill area.
Daniel Winsor became Milford's first Town Justice of the Peace.
A covered bridge was erected at Colliersville and remained in use until 1929.
The Portlandville School District was organized.
A corner store was built at Main Street in Milford Village. It later became known as Crowley's and remains associated with the site of today's Corner Store.
The Lutheran Herald, Milford's first newspaper, began publication.
Railroads, agriculture and village growth1869–1919
The Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad opened passenger service between Cooperstown Junction and Cooperstown.
David Wilber moved his hops business to Oneonta. By the 1850s, his Crumhorn property included more than 250 acres of hops.
The Village of Milford was incorporated. George Bissell became its first president and W. B. Hanover its first treasurer.
Milford Village Water Works began, along with the village's first hose company.
The Milford Cemetery Association was organized.
O. A. Weatherly established the Famous Pineapple Cheese Company in the former Crumhorn Creamery.
Ezra Stevens completed Early History of Milford.
Hartwick Light and Power Company built the present Goodyear Lake Dam and hydroelectric plant to supply the Oneonta, Cooperstown and Richfield Springs electric railroad.
A two-room schoolhouse was built in Portlandville.
Milford voters supported the New York State suffrage amendment by a vote of 110 to 89.
The Milford Tidings was purchased by Cooperstown's Freeman's Journal. Historic issues are preserved on microfilm at the Milford Free Library.
Schools, parks and changing transportation1922–1947
George Wilber purchased what became Wilber Park and presented it to the Village of Milford.
The Milford Free Library opened.
Milford became one of New York State's early centralized school districts. A new brick school opened with Floyd Rasbach as principal.
The Goodyear Lake Grange was organized. In 1934, it purchased the Christian Church in Portlandville, now the Milford Town Hall.
Portlandville School District No. 3 joined Milford Central School District. A new Portlandville bridge replaced the 1869 structure.
D&H passenger service between Cooperstown and Colliersville ended. The Eva Coo murder case on the Crumhorn became one of the area's most widely remembered criminal cases.
Eggleston Enterprises moved into the Sayre House. Niles Eggleston later published periodical articles and a detailed history of the Eva Coo trial.
Deane Winsor founded the Milford Macs semi-professional baseball team and coached it for 50 years.
O. A. Weatherly sold the Pineapple Cheese factory to the Dairymen's League. William Crowley purchased the Corner Store.
The Milford Rotary was organized.
The Milford summer recreation program began in Wilber Park. A frozen-food locker was built at the south end of the village.
Modern government, education and preservation1962–1995
Gordon Hammond began a 25-year career as superintendent of Milford Central School.
June Hotaling became Milford's first woman mayor. The Milford Rotary held its first annual flea market and antique show.
NYSEG closed the power station at Goodyear Lake Dam.
BOCES opened its occupational center east of the Village of Milford.
A D&H freight train carrying propane tanks derailed and exploded near Cooperstown Junction, seriously injuring more than 50 firefighters and bystanders.
The Sayre House was deeded to the Greater Milford Historical Association. A traffic signal replaced the village's blinking light.
A U.S. Department of Energy grant supported restoration of the Goodyear Lake hydroelectric plant, which reopened in 1980.
The Portlandville School closed permanently.
James Seward of Milford was elected to the New York State Senate. Voters approved construction of a new Milford Central School.
The new Milford Central School was dedicated on November 19 with approximately 430 students.
Charlotte Koniuto became the first woman inducted into the Milford Rotary.
Deane Winsor retired from the Milford Macs. The ballpark was named Deane Winsor Field, and the team became the Otsego Macs.
Longtime Milford coach Anton Remy died at age 78. The Milford Central School gymnasium and Anton Remy Basketball Tournament were dedicated in his honor. Cooperstown Brewing Company was established at the former Weatherly milk station.
Recent community history2002–2011
A new bridge across the Susquehanna at Portlandville replaced the 1932 bridge. Longtime Town Clerk Jessie Eichler retired after serving from 1981.
Major flooding affected Milford and surrounding communities, prompting floodplain reevaluation.
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused extensive damage across New York State and the Milford area.
Historic themes still visible in Milford
The community's landscape and institutions continue to reflect the forces that shaped its development.
The Susquehanna River
Mills, bridges, dams, transportation and settlement all grew around the river corridor that runs through the town.
Agriculture & Industry
Hops, dairy production, cheese making, family farms and rural businesses have long supported Milford's economy.
Rail & Road Connections
Railroads, trolleys, state highways and Interstate 88 connected Milford with Cooperstown, Oneonta and the wider region.
Education
From one-room districts to centralized schooling, local education has remained central to community life.
Civic Organizations
The library, Rotary, Grange, fire services, recreation programs and historical association reflect generations of civic participation.
Historic Preservation
The Sayre House, cemeteries, archival newspapers and local histories help preserve Milford's story for future generations.
Continue exploring Milford's past
Local records, historic newspapers, family materials, photographs and community knowledge provide a much fuller documentary record than any single webpage can contain.
The Milford Free Library holds historical resources, including microfilm of the Milford Tidings. The Greater Milford Historical Association preserves the Sayre House and helps interpret the community's history. Researchers may also contact the Town Historian for guidance concerning local records and historical questions.
Discover more of Milford
Learn about the town today, browse local departments or plan a visit to the surrounding region.