Gang Mills draws residents with space and proximity to jobs
The Gang Mills hamlet in New York's Southern Tier town of Erwin offers commuters more space and easy access to the world headquarters for Corning, a multinational leader in materials science. While Erwin and Steuben County are known for its rural and agricultural atmosphere, the hamlet also has suburban living right along Interstate 99. An industrial park in the north end and more factories less than 5 miles away provide the area with job opportunities. Despite being more developed than the rest of the town, local Realtor Daniela Polidor says people are moving here for the open space rather than the city access. “It's right on the Tioga River; people are more attracted to the rural nature of it,” says Polidor, a real estate salesperson with Empire Realty Group, who’s been selling homes in the area for over 12 years.
Home prices range from $150,000 to $675,000 depending on size
There are some Cape Cods built before the 1950s, but the hamlet features mostly colonials and split-levels from the latter half of the century. There are also contemporary properties built in the past 25 years. Homes feature modestly sized lots up to an acre, as well as driveways and attached garages. Smaller houses typically sell for $150,000 to $350,000, while larger properties tend to go for $375,000 to $675,000.
Corning City School District gets an A-minus from Niche
Corning City School District earns an A-minus from Niche. Erwin Valley Elementary gets a B-plus and Corning-Painted Post Middle gets a B. Corning-Painted Post High earns an A-minus and is known for its strong academics, including an International Baccalaureate program that focuses on critical thinking and intercultural perspectives, and one for visual arts. Special Olympics North America has awarded the school "National Banner Status" for its inclusivity regarding sports, leadership and engagement. Corning-Painted Post High also has championship-level cross country and track and field teams, and the softball team won the state title in 2024.
I-99 and Route 417 make commuting and travel convenient
Corning is 4 miles away using state Route 417. Interstate 99 connects to Interstate 86, facilitating regional travel. I-99 also runs 11 miles south to the Pennsylvania state line, where it turns into U.S. Route 15. Guthrie Corning Hospital is 10 miles away. The closest airport, Elmira Corning Regional, is 15 miles away.
Locally owned restaurants and big-box stores on Hamilton Street
The shopping center on Hamilton Street includes Walmart, Aldi and The Home Depot. Popular locally owned spots include Jelly Beans, which serves American favorites. Beartown Peaches N Cream makes its own ice cream. Corning’s Gaffer District has more restaurants, as well as nightlife at places like Volo Bar & Lounge.
Fishing along the Tioga, enjoying other wildlife areas and golf
The Tioga River, which joins with the Cohocton nearby to create the Chemung River, is popular for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Abbey-Kuehnle Park’s tennis courts sit next to a basketball court and a soccer field. A few miles west, the Erwin Wildlife Management Area offers over 16 miles of hiking trails suited for activities like bird watching. There are also a few ponds where people can fish, and it’s a popular spot for hunting deer and wild turkeys. State forests like McCarthy Hill and Erwin Hollow offer additional open space during hunting season. The Indian Hills Golf Course is also just 4 miles away with an 18-hole course and driving range that’s open to the public.
Summer concerts, car shows and a farmers' market in Corning
Neighboring Corning hosts events throughout the year, including Glassfest, which celebrates the town’s glassmaking heritage in May. In the summer, the Rock the Park and Music in the Square concert series provides free live entertainment. Corning’s Farmers Market happens every Thursday from June to October in Riverfront Centennial Park. The Cruisin’ on Bridge car show also happens in August with vehicle showcases, live music and local vendors. “People love to collect cars in this part of the country,” says Polidor. “There are a lot of meetups with different auto clubs because it is so picturesque, and because it’s a stop before you get to a bigger city.” Those looking for more car-focused attractions can drive 21 miles north to Watkins Glen International, a 2.45-mile road course that hosts everything from monster truck events to professional NASCAR races. Additionally, the Steuben County Fair in the nearby town of Bath is a big draw when it takes place in August. The oldest continuously running fair in the country, the weeklong celebration has amusement rides, grandstand events and fair food.
![Logan Soter-Reardon]()
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
