Bridges and Dams

Early settlers had to travel some distance to reach a grist mill or sawmill before Arcade's population grew large enough for such mills to be available locally. Because Clear Creek flows into Cattaraugus Creek a short distance west of here, water power for mills was readily available. In some cases, dams created mill ponds or separate water channels, and bridges connected different parts of the village. The Arcade Planing Mill dam on Clear Creek next to the Main Street bridge also provided a place to swim. A 1908 bridge crossed Cattaraugus Creek on West Street. The mill pond east of the Arcade Woolen Mills was later filled in and occupied by the future Hummingbird Toy Company building on Water Street. The 1937 bridge on West Street stood in 2012 shortly before it was removed, refurbished, and relocated upstream on Sanford Avenue as a pedestrian bridge.

Arcade, New York · United States