History

Located in Monroe County, in the Greater Niagara Region of Western New York, Clarkson offers small town charm, convenience to Rochester, and a short drive to many area attractions. Clarkson has much to offer residents and visitors alike.

The original town of Clarkson included most of the northern half of the Triangle Tract, which was purchased four New York City speculators, LeRoy, Bayard, McEvers Clarkson, from Robert Morris. From 1808 through 1819 it was a part of the town of Murray. The first permanent settlers began arriving in the town in 1803, settling along or near Lake Road, the first road through the tract. After Ridge Road was constructed as a State Road in 1809, it, too, lured pioneers seeking homesites. By 1816 a small hamlet had formed at the intersection of the two roads, which became known as "Murray Four Corners".

Prior to 1812 there was little settlement in the town, due in part to the dense forests and swamp land north of the Ridge. Some pioneers, most of whom were Yankees or Yorkers, settled on land where they found salt springs, which provided a source of income in a cashless economy. Not until the conclusion of the War of 1812 did any real influx of people arrive. After Ridge Road was improved by the addition of bridges over the streams, which was completed in 1816, settlement progressed in the town and proceeded rapidly from that time, with small hamlets springing up along the Ridge and the town's major north-south roads. Many grist mills and saw mills were built on the streams running north to the lake, although the town was primarily agricultural as it is today.

In 1819 the growing town of Murray divided into two towns. The western portion retained the name of Murray; the eastern town was named for Gen. Matthew Clarkson, one of the four original tract proprietors. According to Rutherford D. Rogers, Director of the Monroe County Library System:

On April 2, 1819, the town of Clarkson was established by the Legislature. It was named in honor of General Clarkson.