Welcome to Fredonia ! Nestled among the vineyards of Northern Chautauqua County on Lake Erie, the village of Fredonia has a long and unique history full of “firsts” – not just within New York, but within the nation. Incorporated in 1829, Fredonia is one of only twelve villages in New York still incorporated under a charter.


A veteran village of “firsts,” Fredonia was the site of the first natural gas well in the world and was the first village to be illuminated by natural gas lighting in 1825. In 1868, Fredonia became the home of the first dues-paying Grange of the Grange movement and, in 1873, was the birthplace of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Fredonia is also the site of the first home for aged persons in the State of New York, The Women’s Christian Association (WCA) home.