Penn Yan Real Estate

The village of Penn Yan , New York was incorporated on April 29, 1833. It is located on the North East arm of what the Native Americans called “Crooked Lake”, now known as Keuka Lake. Penn Yan is the County Seat of Yates County and like many of the Finger Lakes communities, it has a rich history which is visible in many of its buildings and landmarks today.

The Penn Yan area is also known for its rich soil and rolling landscapes which make it the perfect area for growing grapes for the Finger Lakes Wines. The Keuka Wine Trail boasts over 15 wineries around the small lake, a perfect place for Wine enthusiasts!

Penn Yan Real Estate Community Data

Village – Penn Yan
County – Yates
Population – 5,485
Square Miles – 2.3
School District – Penn Yan Central School
School Population – 645 (Grades 9-12)

Interesting Facts about Penn Yan Real Estate

Originally Penn Yan was called Union, but the residents were not thrilled with that name. The settlers from New England wanted a name that was yankee sounding and the settlers from Pennsylvania wanted a name that reminded them of their original state. So they came up with Penn Yan – Penn for Pennsylvania and Yan stood for Yankees.

The area was only slowly developing until the Crooked Lake Canal opened around 1833. Soon paper mills, plaster mills and tanneries sprung up around the Canal. By 1850 the transportation options included the Canandaigua Rail Road.

The Penn Yan Boat Company was founded by a German immigrant in 1921 and they became well known for manufacturing high quality lake and fishing type boats.

The area has many Amish and Mennonite families who started arriving in the 1970s feeling cheaper land to farm. Keuka Lake State Park is six miles west of Penn Yan.