Depew, New York is known as the Village of Unexcelled Opportunity, and it has a very unique and interesting history. Straddling the townships of Lancaster and Cheektowaga, the village is divided by Transit Road. The village was settled in 1808 by Appolos Hitchcock, who served as a liaison between the Indians and the Holland Land Company.

In the early days of the village, settlers cut down trees in the area’s large forests and sold them to ships at the port in Buffalo. Hitchcock convinced many German immigrants to settle in Depew by promising to buy their corn, which he distilled and sold to the government for use in mediations. There were a number of early German settlers in the village, a majority of who were farmers.

In the mid-1800’s, the village began to be settled by the Dutch, while the early 1900’s led to an influx of Hungarian and Ukrainian immigrants. Polish families also began settling the area in the mid 1860’s, and in 1889 a Polish Library opened in the village of Depew.

In 1893, as the Industrial Age was at its peak, Chauncey Depew moved into the community. He saw the benefit that the area offered as a link of the national rail system and took advantage of the opportunity. By the late 1800’s, over 250 trains came to the city every day, boosting its appeal to investors. Depew built the headquarters of the Hudson River and Harlem Railroad in the city and in 1894 incorporated the village.

The railway remained the main industry of the village of Depew for many years. A large portion of the history of Depew is due in large part to this industry, which paved the way for auto factories and other industries that later became a large part of the area economy. In short, the Depew, NY history is certainly an interesting one, and one that continues to be displayed proudly throughout the village.