Driving U.S. 20 through western New York

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Howlett Farms, Avon NY

 

At over 3300 miles (5310 Km), Route U.S. 20 is the longest road in United States. This week we are finishing our trip along the road in New York State, driving from the Finger Lakes to the vineyards of the Lake Erie shores.


Bes Friends, Canandaigua, NY


The city of Canandaigua was incorporated in 1815 as a village, and then in 1913 as a city. It occupies the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake. The town has been home to several industrial mills over the years, but today its main industries are tourism, and winemaking, especially the production of Manishewitz wines. A great place for breakfast in town in Patty’s Place Diner. They serve excellent, fresh, locally produced food, and it is a favorite with locals. A walk along its Main Street is a walk through the many eras and styles of building in the area.











From Canandaigua, I traveled west along U.S. 20 to the town of Lime NY (pronounced Lyma). Its pronunciation is due to its founders coming from the town of Lyme CT.






As I continued on, the road passed through Avon, NY. The center of town has retained its lovely older buildings. One of these is the Opera Block. Built in 1876, this commercial building has two floors of offices, with its third floor home to a performance space. The town acquired the building, and the adjoining bank in 2005. Instead of just tearing them down, they put up a referendum to the town, asking whether they should renovate the landmarks for use as the town offices or build new facilities in another place. Avon voted to use the buildings for the town, although the first vote was a 614-614 tie, Avon used public and private grants to renovate them, finishing the job in 2025 with a redone Opera Hall that is used for public events.






Across the town square is the Kurtz Hodge Implement Company building. This building has served as dealership for farm tools and vehicles, and then a dealer for GMC and then Pontiac. The most recent owner collected jukeboxes and pinball machines, and it is still filled with his finds.

 





By this point I had left the Finger Lakes behind, and entered the rural farmlands of Western New York. The geography is mid-Western, with rolling hills and large farms growing corn and hay. I drove through the small towns of Alexander, Darien and Alden, where my eyes were caught by the Pink Cow Ice Cream stand.


Alexander NY

Alexander NY

Cobblestone School (1837), Alexander NY


Linwood NY


From Alden, U.S. 20 heads towards the suburbs of Buffalo, New York’s second largest city. In the town of Lancaster there is a lighthouse sitting in Como Lake Park. It was built in 1933 on the edge of what had been a man-made lake. The park was built as a “trolley park”, designed at the end of a trolley line to bring passengers out from the city, especially on holidays and the weekends. 






U.S. 20 has always avoided entering the city of Buffalo - you can write your own joke here. Today, that path, all malls and restaurants, through the suburbs took me from Depew to Blossom and on to Orchard Park, where I drove by the construction for the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium. From here I jumped off of Route 20 for a detour to Eden NY. Why? Because this is the home of the Eden Kazoo Factory. Eden Kazoo is the last factory in the U.S. that manufactures metal kazoos. It opened in 1916, and has been in production ever since. Today it is by Suburban Adult Services, providing jobs for adults with special needs.

 







Heading back to U.S. 20, the land flattened out, and the area became a center of vineyards. My trip took me to Fredonia NY, home to a campus of the state university, and to the White Inn, a great place for lunch or dinner.




I took a quick side trip to nearby Dunkirk, NY to check out its historic lighthouse.





I spent the night at the Theater Motel in Westfield NY. Its name comes from a drive-in theater that used to occupy the land behind the motel. The room was clean, and the bed was surprisingly comfortable. For dinner I went to Calarco’s Restaurant in Westfield for a delicious Italian meal.




The next morning, a quick 10 mile drive brought me to the New York - Pennsylvania border, where this piece will end. I will return to U.S. 20 in the spring, when the weather again allows for a drive across the country.



Nuts and Bolts


  • This leg of my journey covered about 150 miles (240 KM).
  • Patty’s Place Diner is open Mon - Fri 7 AM - 2 PM, Sa & Su 7 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Pink Cow Ice Cream stand is open from March - Sept. They have a permanent store for take out treats in the mall behind the stand.
  • Eden Kazoo Factory Boutique and tours is open Tue - Sa 10 AM - 5 PM
  • White Inn serves Lunch and Dinner year round
  • Calarco’s Restaurant is closed on Tuesdays. Open Wed - Mon 3 PM - 9 PM, lunch W-F 11:30 AM - 3 PM
Location: U.S. Rte 20, New York, USA

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