QUICK FACTS:
POPULATION (2000): 1,248
REGION: Niagara Frontier
METRO AREA: Buffalo-Niagara Falls
NAMED FOR: Local springs that emitted flammable gases.
SCHOOL DISTRICT: Royalton-Hartland
LAND ACRES:  7,430
WATE ACRES: 147
Latitude: 43.195424 N
Longitude:78.577189 W

Royalton is located in the southeast corner of Niagara County. There were a succession of boundry changes from the earliest time, when the French were in control, until 1824 when the present boundries were set. In 1813 all the land east of Transit Road (St. Rte 78) to the Orleans county line, and south from Lake Ontario to Tonawanda Creek was known as the Town of Hartland.   Royalton was formed from Hartland on April 5, 1817.
Pioneers from (the state of) Vermont who settled Newfane, Hartland and Royalton came from the Green Mountain County of Windsor.It is thought that the name Royalton was derived from the Vermont village of the same name.  One of the earliest roads was an Indian trail entering at the southeast border and crossing in a northwesterly direction from Batavia to Fort Niagara (NY). Called the Lewiston trail or road, it follows today's St. Rte. 77 from our northern border through Royalton Center, McNalls Corners, Terry's Corners and leaves our western border at the Husky Cemetery on Chestnut Ridge as it continues to the Cold Springs Road (where Cold Springs Cemetery is located) and on to Fort Niagara. The Erie, or later Barge Canal, running across the northern section, was responsible for the growth of four canal villages--Middleport, Reynales Basin, Gasport and Orangeport. With the advent of the railroad in 1852, Middleport and Gasport grew and the other two declined. Middleport is our only incorporated village. Carrington's Corners (later Royalton Center), McNalls Corners and Terry's Corners, flourished as the stage coached and settlers poured through. There was even an academy at Royalton Center.  Leslie was the other small settlement located at Burdicks Bridge on the bank of Tonawanda Creek. There were undoubtedly other small hamlets whose names have become lost in the mists of time. Royalton has been settled by thrifty, hard-working people with many trades and talents. Early years found sawmills, flour mills, lime kilns, quarries, brick yards, cider and vinegar mills, a pickle factory, cheese factories and basket factories.

Photos top to bottom: 1)A waterfall runs in Royalton Ravine Park. 2)A bridge in Royalton Ravine Park. 3)Mist floats over the Erie Canal on a foggy morning. 4)Fall colors along the Erie Canal.