Farmersville is a rural escape for outdoor enthusiasts and farmers
Farmersville has been a rural part of Cattaraugus County since the town was founded in the early 1800s. Early residents were dairy farmers, and while farming is still a part of life here, Farmersville has turned into a quiet area to live close to state forests and away from noisy neighbors. “Farmersville is very rural,” says Travis Thurston, an experienced associate broker with New York Land Quest and an avid outdoor enthusiast. “There are excellent recreation properties out there. You go out there, and you’re on your own. It’s that kind of deal. You’re not far from Rushford and Rushford Lake, and that’s a big pull.” The quiet, forested setting allows residents to feel separated from the rest of the world, but busier areas like Arcade, Franklinville and Ellicottville are a short drive away. No matter where people go for work or to shop, they have a serene community to come home to in Farmersville.
Cabins, ranch-style homes and undeveloped land
Farmersville offers an escape to anyone looking to get away from busy city life to live among quiet nature. “Typically as far as price, as you start trickling into Allegany County, you get more bang for your buck,” Thurston says. “The reason is, Allegany County is farthest from Buffalo and Rochester. The farther you get away, the less demand.” Residents in the Farmersville Station hamlet might be within walking distance of their neighbors, but most homes are tucked away and surrounded by trees. Long driveways lead from the two-lane roads to cabins, ranch-style and colonial homes that can sell for $170,000 to $280,000. Undeveloped land and cabins needing repair have sold for $150,000 or less. Due to the rural setting, homes run on well water and septic tank systems.
Exploring state forests, Rushford Lake and Allegheny Hills Golf Course
Outdoor enthusiasts often find their homes in Farmersville because of the immediate access to hunting and fishing destinations. “If you don’t have the ability to own a lot of acreage, there’s a lot of state lands,” Thurston says. “In the summertime, you can explore and camp. It’s open year-round, so you can hunt. In the winter, there are public snowmobile trails that go through there.” Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area is right off Route 98 with a parking lot close to the water. While there are no hiking trails, some visitors sit by the water to spot beavers and other wildlife. Rushford Lake, less than 15 miles away, features a beach and designated swimming area as well as areas to fish and kayak. Bush Hill and Farmersville State Forests are more active, with dedicated campsites and hiking trails that turn into snowshoeing and snowmobiling trails. Anyone who prefers hitting the links instead of hiking trails visits the Allegheny Hills Golf Course, an 18-hole course that offers public and membership-only tee times.
Heading to Franklinville for school
The town is part of the Franklinville Central School District, rated C-plus by Niche. Kids attend Franklinville Elementary School before going across the street to Ten Broeck Academy/Franklinville Central School. Both are rated B-minus. Ten Broeck Academy was initially built in 1867 by an early Franklinville resident. The light-colored stones near the current school’s entrance are from the original building, blending the past and present of Franklinville education.
Direct routes to Franklinville, Arcade and Buffalo
State Route 98 flows through the area, guiding drivers about 7 miles to Franklinville and nearly 14 miles to Arcade. Nearby state Route 16 is a direct path to Buffalo, about 55 miles away. The drive takes about an hour, the same amount of time it can take to reach the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. The hamlet of Farmersville Station has the Farmersville Baptist Church, the only place of worship in town, but there are more churches around Farmersville. The Great Lakes Cheese moved its facility from nearby Cuba to northern Franklinville in 2024, which created a major source for jobs closer to home. Farmersville is about halfway between the Cuba Memorial Hospital and Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville, both less than 20 miles away.
Restaurants and a grocery store in nearby Franklinville
Because Farmersville is strictly homes and forests, residents drive a short distance to the village of Franklinville to dine out or grab groceries. Thurston says Franklinville has locally owned businesses rather than major brands, because the town is dedicated to staying small. Barbara’s Maplehaven is a buffet-style restaurant that is especially busy during pancake weekends and Cruise Night car shows on Tuesdays from May to October. People grab a table at The Coffee Shop at Big Tasty's BBQ LLC for breakfast and lunch. Franklinville also has the Franklinville Food Market for basic grocery needs, but some people take the 20-minute drive up to Tops Friendly Markets in Arcade for more options.
Preparing for Western New York snow
Farmersville, like the rest of Cattaraugus County, experiences heavy snowfall in the winter. Residents have to shovel out their driveways and check for travel bans issued by the county during severe weather. Some people stock up on food and keep generators for their homes.
