Glen Park Tavern

Historical Williamsville, NY

The Glen has played a prominent part in the part in the rich history of the Village of Williamsville. Over the years, the Glen has lent its name to such landmarks as the Glen Park Casino and Williamsville’s only Amusement Park. Today, the park remains a popular spot for family outings, romantic strolls, and is a splendid setting for wedding party photographs. The Glen Park Tavern is proud to build on its established legacy as the historical cornerstone of the Village of Williamsville.

The hamlet first adopted the name of “William’s Mills,” after Jonas Williams, who constructed a rough mill on the East bank of Ellicott Creek in 1811. Williams abandoned the East bank mill to erect one on the West bank, which remains in operation today. A military garrison during the War of 1812. “Williams Mills” would thereafter become know as Williamsville. The Williamsville Post Office would be instituted for the growing settlement in 1823, and Williamsville would be officially incorporated in 1850. Today it remains the only incorporated village in the Town of Amherst.

From the outset, the village’s taverns played host to some of the community’s most significant events / Elias Ransom’s Tavern housed the first unofficial town meeting in 1808, where Jonas Williams would be elected town supervisor. Amherst’s first Town Board Meeting was held at the tavern house of Frederick Miller, on the southeast corner of Main and Cayuga streets, in 1819. While history does not record whether the tapes were running, the official minutes of the meeting relate that it was resolved to vote “hogs as free commoners.” Today the village tavern remains the hub of the community — a meeting house where friends and family can enjoy good food, easy conversation and fine spirits. There is a place at our table for you and yours.