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The town has a population of about 6,200, over 4,000 of which live in the village. In 1999, homes were sold at an average price of $50,000. The Town is governed by a Supervisor and a Town Council. The Village has a Mayor and a Board of Trustees.
As the Wayne County seat, Lyons is
home to the historic Wayne County Courthouse, which has
been in use since 1854. The second-floor courtroom retains the original
flavor of the building and was used in the trial sequence of the 1986
movie, Lady in White. Because Lyons has retained much of its historic
charm, many other landmarks were used in the movie, including the
downtown business district, Village Square, and the clock tower of the
Methodist Church. The Village Square park - deeded in 1794 - is home to many community events, including Peppermint Days festivities, summer band concerts, and a Farmers' Market, held each Saturday from June through October. From the park, many other historic buildings are visible - the Post Office, the Lyons Community Center, the B.P.O.E lodge, the Lyons National Bank, and the First Lutheran Church. Each year, the Lutheran Church Women hold an Quilt Show & Sale.
A short walk from the park is the Historic District of Water and Broad Streets. It features the restored Nusbickel Building, the gallery of the Wayne County Council for the Arts, the Hotchkiss Peppermint Office, and a scenic view of the Erie Canal. The north bank has boat moorings and access to local restaurants. Looking across the way, you will see the Southside Canal Park, with landscaping, a picnic area and a beautiful three-paneled mural. This park is the site of the annual Low Bridge Music Festival. Also a short walk away is the
Wayne
County Museum. The former Sheriff's residence and jail, it
served as such for over 100 years. Constructed in 1854, the Butternut
St. building is filled with exhibits that educate and charm.
Abbey Park is just west of the canal lock and has boat docks, a picnic area with grills and play equipment. Plans for the Erie Canal Cultural Center include a promenade along the Canal, from Abbey Park to the Peppermint Office. The Cultural Center, located in the former J.L. Hammett warehouse, will house organizations. Lyons is also home base for such groups as the Lyons Heritage Society and E.R.I.E. (Erie's Restoration Interests Everyone). The churches have formed an inter-faith council and members of many local congregations assist in the free lunch program and food closet. And while Lyons was once home to one of the county's oldest industries - Hotchkiss Essential Oil Co. - it is now home to some newer firms. Parker-Hannifin has two manufacturing plants in Lyons and J.L. Hammett has a new facility just off Route 14. County government offices are located in Lyons, and include the Wayne County Office of Tourism and the Wayne Economic Development Corporation and the Industrial Development Agency. |
