1779Military
During the American Revolutionary War, the Sullivan Expedition of 1779 was mounted by the Continental Army against the four Haudenosaunee nations which had allied with the British.
1788Government
=== Elmira's formation ===
The New York legislature established the Township of Chemung, now Chemung County, in 1788.
1791Military
After the conclusion of the war, the Haudenosaunee and the United States signed a treaty at Elmira in 1791 to settle territorial disputes in the region.
1792History
In 1792, the settlement at Newtown joined with the Wisnerburg and DeWittsburg settlements to form the village of Newtown.
1808History
In 1808, the village officially changed its name to the Town of Elmira, at a town meeting held at Teal's Tavern.
1821History
This naming occurred, according to this book, in 1821 at the constitutional convention to which Matthew was a delegate.
1849Architecture
In 1849, the New York and Erie Railroad was built through Elmira, giving the area a New York City to Buffalo route.
1850Infrastructure
In 1850, the Elmira and Jefferson Railroad gave the area a route north and, in 1854, the Elmira and Williamsport Railroad a route south.
1854Military
Painton, journalist, publicist, pulp-fiction author, WWII war correspondent, veterans advocate
Anna Campbell Palmer (1854–1928), author, editor
William P.
1864Government
In any case, the City of Elmira, nicknamed "The Queen City," was incorporated in 1864 from part of the town of Elmira and the village of Elmira.
1865Crime
At the end of the war, each prisoner was given a loyalty oath and given a train ticket back home; the last prisoner left the camp on September 27, 1865.
1866Crime
=== Reformatory and correctional facility ===
The state legislature authorized the building of a state prison for first offenders in 1866.
1872Architecture
In 1872 construction began on the Utica, Ithaca and Elmira Railroad, eventually creating a route to Cortland and Syracuse via Horseheads, Breesport and Van Etten.
1876Architecture
It opened in 1876 as the Elmira Reformatory, under the direction of Zebulon Brockway, serving offenders aged sixteen to thirty.
1877Crime
Woodlawn Cemetery, about 2 miles (3 km) north of the original prison camp site (bounded by West Hill, Bancroft, Davis and Mary Streets), was designated a "National Cemetery" in ...
1884Military
The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, completed in 1884, competed with the Erie's New York City to Buffalo line.
1889Architecture
== Economy ==
In 1889 Elmira Bridge Company opened in Elmira Heights and merged with several other bridge companies to become American Bridge Company in 1900.
1890Government
(formerly Hardinge Brothers), established in 1890 and now headquartered in Elmira, manufactures precise turning machines for the domestic and international market.
1898History
According to Amos Bugbee Carpenter's "Carpenter Memorial" family history book printed in 1898, Elmira is named after Major General Matthew Carpenter's daughter.
1905Government
Hilliard Corporation, established in 1905, has two locations in Elmira and serves the international market in filters, brakes, clutches and starters for a variety of industrial ...
1906History
Plunkett (1906-2000), labor economist, diplomat
Anna Beach Pratt, American educator and social worker.
1929Government
Trayer Products, established in 1929, manufactures parts mostly for the heavy truck industry; primarily truck chassis parts such as king pins and shackles.
1950History
In 1950, the Elmira's population peaked at about 50,000, which represented 57 percent of Chemung County's total population at the time.
1962Government
Elmira Heat Treating, established in 1962 in Elmira, offers a wide variety of heat treatment technologies to both domestic and international customers such as Hilliard Corp., Fo...
1970History
In 1970 the complex was renamed the Elmira Correctional and Reception Center.
1972Disaster
=== Hurricane Agnes and the 1972 flood ===
During the summer of 1972, Hurricane Agnes struck the eastern seaboard of the United States, causing significant damage stretching fr...
1983Architecture
Steel acquired the American Bridge plant but it too was shuttered in 1983 until a succession of transportation firms took the site: Sumirail and ABB Traction from 1986 to 1991 b...
1988History
Kennedy Valve was acquired by McWane in 1988.
1993Disaster
=== "Storm of the Century" – 1993 snow blizzard ===
In March 1993, the city of Elmira was hit hard by a snow blizzard, nicknamed "Storm of the Century", that added 21.5 inches o...
1995Culture
Starting in 1995, Hardinge began expanding their product line and over the years has acquired L.
2000History
=== Climate ===
== Demographics ==
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,940 people, 11,475 households, and 6,701 families residing in the city.
2003Government
The term of office of the mayor and council members was two years, until a 2003 referendum extended the terms to four years (four-year terms began after the 2007 election).
2004Architecture
In 2004 they also acquired Bridgeport, world-famous for its milling machines and machining centers.
2005History
The Elmira MSA was ranked as the 59th safest place to live out of 344 Metro Areas in 2005 by Morgan Quitno Press.
2007Economy
The city received $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant funds and $368,000 in HOME funds in FY2006-2007 from the U.S.
2012Disaster
=== 2012 tornado ===
On July 26, 2012, an EF1 tornado touched down near Cottage Drive off of Route 352 and traveled through Golden Glow and the rest of the city.
2022Infrastructure
Fullington Trailways discontinued service between Elmira and Williamsport, Pennsylvania in April 2022.