Southtowns Record

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DRAFT

Government
Town of Aurora
Board
Town Board
Meeting
Feb 4, 2026
Kind
Other
Topics
Zoning and land use, Water, sewer and drainage, Parks and recreation, Budget and taxes, Roads and traffic, Housing, Energy and data center siting, Public safety

Original document

Same meeting

Text · page 54 of 154

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54  Town of Aurora

Historical Assets  Cultural Assets

There are no historic districts or sites in the Town  West Falls Center for the Arts: Located at 1863 Davis
of Aurora that are listed in the National Register of  Road, the West Falls Center for the Arts is a nonprofit
Historic Places. However, there is one district and 42  arts venue providing programming for veterans,
sites that are eligible for historic designation with the  kids, caregivers, and those with mental disabilities. In
National Register of Historic Places. Of the 42 eligible  addition to providing this programming, the Center
sites throughout the Town of Aurora, 31 of them are  also hosts live music entertainment for residents and
within Knox Farm State Park, which itself is eligible  visitors of West Falls throughout the year.
to be listed as a historic district. Below is a heat map
indicating the location of historically eligible sites  The Blueberry Treehouse Farm: Located at 1897
throughout the Town. Some notable sites include:  Davis Road, the Blueberry Treehouse Farm is a multi-
  entertainment venue open to the public throughout
West Falls Train Depot: Reconstructed in 1917  the summer and fall months. The business’s primary
following a fire which destroyed the original depot.  draw is its u-pick organic blueberry farm which is
This building functioned as a passenger station for  open from July to August where visitors to West Falls
visitors to the Hamlet of West Falls along the Buffalo,  can harvest their own fresh blueberries. In addition,
Rochester, and Pittsburgh Railroad, which ceased  they also have a treehouse café and outdoor concert
passenger operations in West Falls as of 1961.  stage where visitors can purchase delicious food
  and listen to local music, all while enjoying the
The Dog Bar: Originally built in 1835 to serve as a  rural setting of Aurora. The café and farm bring in
hotel for hunters, farmers, salesmen, and loggers  thousands of visitors to the West Falls area each
passing through the Hamlet of West Falls, the building  year, helping stimulate the economic activity of other
has remained in operation as an upscale, yet cozy,  businesses nearby.
restaurant by the same family since 1941.
  Aurora History Museum: Located in the Town
Knox Farm & the Knox Family Mansion: Constructed  of Aurora Municipal Building, the Aurora History
in 1917 with late 19th and early 20th century colonial  Museum features Native American artifacts, personal
revival styles, the 14,400 sq ft Knox Farm Mansion  possessions of the community’s earliest settlers,
was the former summer estate of the Knox Family,  and items related to local industry and business. In
a prominent family involved in various businesses  addition, showcasing the history of the Town, the
throughout the Buffalo area. Situated on the present-  Museum and the Town’s Historian provide research
day 600+ acres plus Knox Farm State Park, the summer  resources and assistance for any visitors seeking to
estate and 30 other buildings scattered throughout  learn more about their ancestral history in the area.
the park are eligible for historic designation. Today, the
Knox Family Mansion is available to rent for various  Hawk Creek Wildlife Center: Located at 1963 Mill
events such as weddings, while the park grounds  Road in the Hamlet of Jewettville, Hawk Creek
are utilized for daily park activities and also hosts  Wildlife Center is an aviary wildlife center that
the annual Borderland Music and Arts festival which  promotes the conservation and education of flying
attracts 10,000+ attendees each year.  birds through shows, animal interactions, and
  educational programs. Hawk Creek Wildlife Center is
If these sites were to be listed in the State and National  a recreational and entertainment experience which
Register of Historic Places, they could be eligible for  helps attract visitors to the Town.
historic tax credits to assist in repairs and renovations.
Additionally, preserving historic sites such as these
would help the community to preserve its historic
character, thus making the area more attractive to
residents and visitors alike.