Beyond The Spa Era
Tom Wahl’s: Established in 1955, Tom Wahl’s was originally called “The Twin Kiss” and exclusively served soft ice cream and root beer. Although the menu has greatly expanded over the years, those two summer delights have remained the focal point for many customers.
Avons Railroad : Trains have been a very important part of Avon’s history. Over the years they have provided jobs and transported goods and people to near and distant destinations. Passenger cars carried people between Mt. Morris and Rochester. Trains going to and from Rochester and Corning traveled through Avon and hooked up with trains going to New York and Chicago. The AP & HS has, in storage, two of the ling benches that were in the ticket area and used by passengers waiting to board a train.
The Jolly Farmer: In the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Jennings family operated an inn and antique business from their home. The business consisted of two properties, the main home and the adjacent Pavilion and Tea Room. Although the residence had changed ownership and purpose several times over the years, the original building still stands today, currently functioning as a state operated group home.
Avon Town Hall: Built in 1907, the property was originally the location of the State Bank of Avon. The Great Depression had a might effect on Avon, and the bank was taken over for liquidation in 1931. The building was preserved though community investment and in 1934 was reopened as the Union Trust Bank. Over the years the ownership of the bank transferred to eventually become Marine Midland Bank. Marine Midland moved to a new location in 1982. Since that date has served as the Avon Town Hall and home to the Museum of the Avon Preservation and Historical Society.
The Avon Coppersmith: For more than 25 years, Arthur Cole practised his copper modeling craft at this property. He and his wife operated a giftshop, selling his wares to buyers from all over the country. In the 1960’s, the Cole family sold the shop to the Parker family and the property became known as Joy’s Lamplight Gift Shoppe. Sadly, the building was destroyed by fire in the 1990’s. In 2005, the vacant property was purchased and the Avon American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars built Veterans’ Hall to serve as their permanent post.