Mendon, New York’s story begins beneath an old-growth canopy beside a glacial pond, where just over 9,000 people call home.
Before it became a modern township, the area was once occupied by the Seneca settlement of Totiakton, numbering around 4,000 residents and later destroyed in 1687 by Marquis de Denonville’s expedition. When the town was chartered in 1812, its name was borrowed from a Massachusetts community, marking the start of a settlement shaped by transport and water. In 1853 the “Peanut Line” railroad introduced a lifeline connection through nearby Honeoye Falls. Decades later the Lehigh Valley Railroad rolled through in 1891. Traces of that era still echo along shuttered tracks and beneath the century-old stations that remain in memory, tying together industry and identity.
After railroads tethered the town to Rochester, settlers carved out the land, building using a distinctive local medium: cobblestones. Today, about ten structures dating to the 1830s remain, each crafted by hand-layered lake stones in styles ranging from Federal to Greek Revival. The Sheldon Cobblestone House, built in 1833, features smooth rounded stones aligned in precise rows, while the later Whitcomb Farmhouse (1847) displays arches of smaller stones above its windows.
Venture further off-road and the land transforms once more at Mendon Ponds Park, a 2,500-acre preserve designated a National Natural Landmark. It is here that geological forces sculpted kettle ponds, eskers, and even a sunken bog with a floating peat island large enough to support small trees. Hikers and cyclists can traverse 21 miles of trails that pass the aptly named Devil’s Bathtub, where swirling waters reflect glacial history.
Beyond nature, local commerce thrives with businesses that resist immediate categorization. At Ye Mendon Tavern, housed in what was once an apple-drying barn, customers report fleeting glimpses of former owner Harold Folts, whose presence is felt in chairs that rock themselves. Monroe County Public Library periodically hosts lectures on local history, including sessions at Cobblestone Heritage Tours exploring restoration techniques and archival photography of early settlers. The library archives photographs from the 1930s documenting agricultural developments and interviews with long-time farming families.
Dining options in Mendon satisfy appetite seekers without resorting to chain ambience. At Pizza D's Mendon, a thin-crust pie arrives with tangy tomato sauce, fresh basil, and hand-sliced pepperoni; Greek salad stars crisp cucumbers, kalamata olives, feta, and bright house vinaigrette, served alongside club sandwiches built from turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato layered on toasted rye. Caifé Erin brings true Irish warmth to Mendon. Serving fish & chips on Fridays, full Irish breakfast, Boxty potato pancakes, salads, sandwiches, omelets, and rotating daily specials in a cozy, family friendly setting.
Seasonal events deepen the connection between modern life and older heritage. From June through October, a farmers’ market meets weekly at Firemen’s Field, with regionally grown produce: heirloom tomatoes, butternut squash, and jars of raw honey. Come late summer, the Mendon Fire Department Carnival takes center stage, assembling midway rides, pie-eating contests, and funnel cake stands. As autumn settles in, the streets of Sibleyville—once home to mills and machine shops—become the backdrop for antique tours and photo-enthusiasts drawn by peeling-barn-red textures under October light. Exploring Mendon in winter takes on a different character, with sleigh rides arranged by the community association.
When the festivities wind down and unexpected critters try to move in, Patriot Wildlife is there. Serving Mendon and surrounding areas, we specialize in the eviction of raccoons, bats, squirrels, and more, keeping your home peaceful through all seasons. Contact us today for an estimate.
