Town History

Discover the rich history and heritage that shaped the Town of Oakfield.

OUR HERITAGE

A Proud Past, A Strong Community

From its early settlement to its growth as an agricultural community, the Town of Oakfield has a long history shaped by industry, education, agriculture, and local tradition.

An Earlier History

Just outside the Village are the remains of a very old Native village believed to date to the 1400s or earlier. The English translation of the site’s name was the “Double Walled Fort.”

Records from 1788 also referenced a nearby “Bone Fort,” although the historical account does not identify what type of bones were found there.

1801

The Town was settled in 1801 on the site of the old Indian Reservation. Over the years, the community was known by several names—including Caryville, in honor of Alfred Cary, and Plain Brook—before finally becoming Oakfield.

1817

Oakfield’s first school opened in 1817, marking an important step in the development of the growing community.

1825

In 1825, gypsum was discovered in Oakfield. The valuable mineral would eventually become an important part of the Town’s development and lead to a major expansion of mining in the area.

1830

The first church in Oakfield, a Free Will Baptist Church, was established in 1830 as the community continued to grow.

1833

Colonel Alfred Cary opened Oakfield’s first store in 1833. Cary would become an important figure in the Town’s early development.

1842

Oakfield was officially set off from the Town of Elba on April 11, 1842. That same year, Stephen Olmstead built a water-powered grist mill where gypsum was also milled, helping fuel the rapid growth of the local gypsum mining industry.

The name Oakfield came from the “Oak Openings” that characterized much of the land throughout the Town.

1844

The Cary Collegiate Seminary, built by Colonel Alfred Cary beginning in 1840, opened in 1844 and became an important part of Oakfield’s early educational history.

1858

The Village of Oakfield was incorporated in 1858. Its first officers were elected at a meeting held at the Olcott House, which later became known as the Arnold House.

A Growing Community

During the height of Oakfield’s mining years, the Town supported a thriving local economy with hotels, hardware stores, banks, blacksmiths, shoemakers, lumberyards, pharmacists, and many other businesses.

Large farms surrounded the Village, producing vegetables and dairy products, while a substantial railroad yard also served the area.

Today

Today, the Town and Village of Oakfield remain principally agricultural communities. Dairy farming and vegetable production continue to be an important part of the surrounding landscape, carrying forward a tradition that has shaped Oakfield for generations.

Honoring Our Past

Oakfield’s history is woven into the community we know today. From its early settlement and industrial growth to generations of farming families, the Town continues to honor its past while looking toward the future.