The Village of Gowanda, incorporated in 1848, lies in Cattaraugus and Erie counties, divided by Cattaraugus Creek. It was first called Aldrich Mills and later Lodi. Turner Aldrich, a pioneer merchant, was the first settler in 1810. On this site, Elisha Henry had a store and house that burned in the great fire of 1856. Debbie Case, of the Cattaraugus Cutlery Case family, married H.N. Platts, and with his father Charles Platts they established C. Platts & Sons Cutlery Works here in 1898, becoming famous for making quality pocket knives. In 1910 Charles Sipple purchased the building for a car agency. Donald and Frederick Campbell, who started a Red and White Grocery on the premises in 1944, donated the property to the Village in 1987.