Village of Painted Post

The Town of Painted Post was first organized on April 5, 1791, and comprised the territories of Hornby, Corning, Caton, Campbell, Erwin, Lindley, Tuscarora, Addison, and Thurston. When Steuben County was organized in March 1796, the Town of Painted Post was reduced to the first six towns and they were called ranges. Corning was the last township to bear the name of Painted Post and retained it until 1850. Now the name of Painted Post is applied only to the beautiful village which clusters around the site of the Indian replica of a painted post which once gave name to the whole area. The citizens of the Village of Painted Post take pride in the name, perpetuating the name with a replica of the post and a statue of Chief Montour adjacent. Norman Phelps designed the Indian monument which was erected in 1950. A citizens’ subscription drive headed by E.J. Smith financed that project. Today, a different Indian replica stands proudly in the Village Square. An earlier Indian replica has been restored and resides in the Village Hall.