Horseheads’ location provides jobs and makes commuting easy
Horseheads is a town in Chemung County, New York that's near vital transportation routes and employment centers. “It’s your typical suburban town that makes it very convenient to get to Corning, Elmira and the Finger Lakes region,” says Daniel Mower, a licensed associate broker and lead agent for the Mower McLennan Team at Keller Williams Realty, who’s been selling homes in the area for nearly 20 years. Originally incorporated in 1837 as Fairport, the town’s current name refers to military pack horses from the American Revolution that died in the area.
In the 1830s, construction of the Chemung Canal helped turn the region into a transport route for coal, lumber and agricultural products. Railroad construction began soon after and the canal closed in 1878. During World War II, the area's extensive train network prompted the U.S. Army to build a facility to house prisoners of war and store supplies. The facility, called Holding Point, now serves as an industrial center for companies including FedEx, Pepsi and some tech firms. “Siemens Mobility is currently building the very first high-speed rail plant in North America,” says Mower. “They’re talking about adding another 750 to 1,000 jobs.” Mower says more job opportunities can be found close by in Painted Post, Corning and Elmira.
Village homes have yards, outskirts offer up to 5 acres
Homebuyers can find a mix of old and new developments around town. There are Nationals from as early as the 1800s, more modern Cape Cods and ranch-style houses and Colonial Revivals built in the past 25 years. Homes within the village come with average-sized yards, while properties on the outskirts of town can have 1 to 5 acres of land. Smaller houses typically sell for $100,000 to $300,000, and larger builds usually go for $300,000 to $650,000. Homes needing renovations can sell for under $100,000.
Commuting via I-86, Route 14
Interstate 86 connects Horseheads to Corning, while also running east to other regional hubs like Binghamton. State Route 14 takes residents 16 miles north to Watkins Glen and also leads 14 miles south to the Pennsylvania border. Elmira Corning Regional Airport is just 6 miles away. The closest hospital, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, is 5 miles away.
Children can attend B-rated Horseheads Central School District
Horseheads Central School District serves the area and earns a B from Niche. Students may start at Ridge Road School, which teaches kindergarten through fourth grade and gets a B-minus, before going to Horseheads Intermediate, which has a B and teaches fifth and sixth graders. Horseheads Middle also receives a B and teaches seventh and eighth grade. Horseheads High earns a B-plus.
Historic Hanover Square blends architecture and local eats
The historic Hanover Square district on Main Street holds local business staples. Featuring Romanesque Revival architecture from the late-1800s, the famous district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. Sitting next to flower shops and pet salons are locally owned restaurants like Louies Hanover Square with Italian options and On a Roll for sandwiches. Mower calls The Diner a local landmark; it serves breakfast and lunch in a 1940s dining car. Across the street, Salsa’s is a popular spot for Mexican food. Shopping centers with chains like Sam’s Club and Aldi are less than 5 miles away along Interstate 86. Horseheads is also close to over 100 additional stores at the Arnot Mall.
Annual fair, parades and dinners bring Horseheads together
During the last week of July, the Chemung County Fair is held at the fairgrounds in the south end of town. The five-day event, which has been taking place since 1841, features amusement rides, carnival games, live music and animal exhibits. Memorial Day is another big celebration in Horseheads with a parade early in the day, before the community gathers for live music and a barbecue. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Horseheads Fire Department hosts an annual dinner of corned beef, ham and cabbage at the station on Main Street.
Recreation ranges from trout fishing to BMX biking
Holding Point Recreation Complex is one of the largest outdoor attractions in town, offering several baseball and softball diamonds, a playground and a BMX bike track. Thorne Street Park also has sports facilities next to the village’s public pool. Mark Twain Golf Course members can play a nine or 18-hole game in the south end. Catharine Creek is popular for trout fishing. Locals also make the 13-mile drive to Montour Falls and the 17-mile drive to Watkins Glen State Park for scenic hiking trails.
![Logan Soter-Reardon]()
Written By
Logan Soter-Reardon
