Most people reading this will say where is Elmira? Who are Elmirans? But Elmira is a place and Elmirans are its people. A small New York town located just over the Pennsylvania border, it doesn’t receive much notice. But a few famous people have been born here, while others made Elmira their final resting place.
Harold “Hal” Roach was born January 14, 1892 to Charles and Mabel Roach, on Columbia Street in Elmira. In interviews, Hal said, “Elmira was a fine place for a boy to grow up.” He recalled playing in Grove Park and upon his death in 1992 the park pavilion was renamed in his honor. He claimed to have “attended and been kicked out of almost every school in Elmira.” St. Patrick’s, Booth and Elmira Free Academy can all claim him as a student. When he got kicked out EFA, Hal started traveling and went as far from Elmira as he could, Alaska. He held numerous jobs including mining for gold, and delivering mail for the army, before he made his way to California. Hal began working as an extra and worked his way to assistant director. And eventually opened his own studio ROLIN. He thought out comedy situations, outlined his ideas to his company and put his crew to it. The method and Hal proved successful.
Geoff Bodine was born April 18, 1949 in Elmira’s St. Joseph’s Hospital. Geoff began racing in local speedways in the micro-midget division when he was only 5. Geoff went on to NASCAR stardom and won many races in the modified division.
Eileen Collins was born in Elmira in 1956. April 9, 2005 upon the successful landing of the space shuttle Discovery, Eileen became the first woman to pilot a U.S. space shuttle and command a U.S. space flight.
Tommy Hilfiger was born March24, 1951 in Elmira. In 1969 he opened a store in Elmira called “The People’s Place.” And from there his rise to fashion fame began.
Ernie Davis was born December 14, 1939 in Elmira. Ernie became the star running back at Syracuse University and was the first black player to win the Heisman Trophy. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins and traded to Cleveland. Unfortunately, Ernie died of leukemia before he ever played a professional game.
Ross Gilmore Marvin was born in Elmira in 1880. He graduated from Cornell University and became a member of the Perry Polar Expedition but drowned in the Arctic in 1909.
Brian Williams was born in Elmira on May 5, 1959 and grew up on Church Street. He attended Hendy Avenue Elementary before he and his parents. After leaving college with no degree, Brian started broadcasting at KOAM-TV in Pittsburg, Kansas. In March of 1993, Brian began work at NBC News and his climbed the ranks to his current position.
John W. Jones arrived in Elmira in July of 1844 with his family. An important historical figure, John made great contributions to the Underground Railroad. Jones’ home in Elmira was a major stop along the railroad and was a very important stop as it was the only stop between Philadelphia and Ontario. By 1860, Jones had aided in the escape of 860 runaways. Of those 860, none were captured or returned to the south. Jones later became the sexton for Woodlawn Cemetery and his primary role was to bury deceased Confederate soldiers from the Elmira Prison Camp. Of the 2,963 soldiers he buried, only seven are listed as unknown. Because of Jones’ precise records the government declared the site a national cemetery in 1877. Jones was paid $2.50 for each soldier he buried and he became rated as the wealthiest black man in this part of the state.
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) was not born and did not die in Elmira but he did live here for a while and is buried in Elmira’s own Woodlawn Cemetery. He wrote parts of several great works while he lived in Elmira. His wife, a native Elmiran, Olivia Langdon and Mark lived here in the latter part of the 19th century. A small octagonal study, given to him as a gift when he lived at Quarry Farm, is now located on the grounds of Elmira College.
While Elmira may not hold the claim to fame that some larger cities hold, it is not a city without a history. It’s claims to fame will forever hold a place in the city and the hearts of its residents.
