Holley, New York History

10/12/2026

The Jay Burns meat market lasted in Hulberton until 1939. Burns himself passed away in 1948, aged 79. Anyone have stories or photos of the market? I understand it was in a two story stone building.

10/11/2026

Holley, 1860 map.
Notes: No streets yet north of Albion St.
East Albion St. extended past East Ave (then Canal St) to the canal loop.
Two schools are shown: the original stone one where the car repair is located by the current traffic light, and the Holley Academy on Wright St.
The Mansion House was the HB Perry Hotel
None of the downtown buildings on the square that we see today were yet built
The original Catholic and Baptist Churches were located just off Canal Street

10/11/2026

Gathering of men in front of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Holley, 1937. Front row 6th from the left is my uncle, Raymond Santoro. 8th from the left is Notchy DeFilipps. Anyone recognize any others?

10/11/2026

WW 2 metal scrap pile in Holley Public Square. Note the WW 1 cannon on the left.

10/10/2026

The Mansion House was built on the corner of the Square and Thomas St. in the 1820's. It served as Holley's premiere hotel and gathering spot until it was torn down to make room for the Downs Hotel, later known as the Holley Hotel. The 3 accompanying news articles from Jan and Feb 1893 Holley Standard show the building excitement and the glorious grand opening of the hotel on Feb 13, 1893. The Medina sandstone was quarried locally and the construction was fast-paced. While there were no photographs in the Holley Standard back then, the locals talked about the majestic hotel gracing the Holley Village Square for many years.

10/10/2026

10/10/2026

St. Mary's school under construction, 1951

10/09/2026

This group of Holley children from 1931, as follows:
Top Left: Mary Ann Colavito, Florence Piedmont, Angie Stazie, Helena Stigliano.
Middle: Edna Lestorti, Joe Stazie, Lorraine Lestorti.
Bottom: Rocky Santoro, Jackie Palermo, Joe Piedmont, Lee Colavito, Michael Colavito.

Lorraine is still with us, 101 years young.
Lee Colavito died 2 years ago.

10/08/2026

This was a big deal when I was going to high school back in the '70s. Does anyone else remember this man?

10/07/2026

Holley's famed Coffee Shop, sadly torn down in 1968 to make room for the out of place Marine Midland Bank.