A Beautiful Rural Area The Town of Preble is located in the beautiful rural area of Central New York State. Hills rise to the east and west of the fertile valley land. Lakes left by the glaciers are tucked in several areas as is the noted Preble Swamp, the start of the west branch of the Tioughnioga River. Mt. Toppin is the highest point of elevation and borders the town to the west. Preble was originally a part of Tully in Onondaga County. On April 8, 1808, it separated from Tully and became the northern border of newly formed Cortland County. The First Settlers Preble consists of 28 tracts of land which were given to soldiers of the Revolution in lieu of money for service during the war. James Cravith came by foot from Pompey in 1795. He stood on East Hill and saw swampy and dense forest land below in the valley. Cravith didn't like what he saw and went back to Pompey Hill. However, the next year he returned and built the first home (a log cabin) on East Hill. In 1796 John Gill came over the hill from Scott and settled on West Hill. The first town meeting was held in his home when the town organized. From 1800 the area became populated with people from the Hudson Valley. Land was cleared and farming became the main occupation. Preble Corners, Baltimore, Preble Center, Slab City, Dutch Street, Bennett Hollow are areas of the town where groups of people settled. The population of Preble in 1825 was 1327. The town was named for Commodore Edward Preble, a gallant naval hero of The Barbary Wars. Building Schools Education was very important to our early townspeople. As soon as a small settlement was established, a school was soon built. The eastern part of town was more heavily populated at first and the earliest school was built in 1801 on East Hill. A total of eleven districts were operating in many areas of the town. As the town grew, a larger more modern building was erected on Preble Road. Several smaller schools closed and the pupils went to the bigger village school until it closed in 1906. A new school was then built in the center of town. This later centralized with the Homer School District and operated until 1954. Today it houses the post office and town offices. It continues to be painted red and is a gathering place and pictoral part of the town. Preble's Churches Churches have always been an active part over the years. The First Congregational Society of Tully was formed at Preble Center in 1804. In 1810 they organized the First Presbyterian Church of Preble. In 1859 the church building was moved to Preble. The Methodist Episcopal Church was started with a log cabin in 1814, and was used until the new church was finished in 1824, at the southwest corner of Steger and Preble Road. It was improved in 1838. The Methodist Church was rebuilt in 1920. It was used for services until 1947 when the two churches united and became the Preble Congregational Church. Today two churches remain in town. The Preble Congregational United Church of Christ Church and the Calvary Baptist Church located on the west side of Steger Road at Preble Road. This is the same site as the earlier Methodist Church. Post Office The closest post office for our early pioneers was situated at Pompey. The first post office was opened in Baltimore in 1812. Preble Corners became more prosperous and in 1832 the post office was moved there. As the town grew, it was located in various homes and stores in the village. For the past several years it continues to service townspeople in the town hall on Preble Road. An Agricultural Community Preble has always been famous for its rich soil and dairy farming. The first Holstein cows in Cortland County were introduced by Millard Nye, a noted Preble farmer. The first cabbage seeds were brought by Perry Haynes in 1885 and Preble soon became the largest cabbage growing area in Central New York. The first Preble Milk Producers Inc., was organized in 1924. In February, 1940 the Preble Milk Co-Operative was formed. A milk plant was built and milk was brought by cans by the producers until 1969. At that time, it was converted to bulk pick up at the farms. Today it continues to operate as a very successful business serving our area farmers. Preble NY Today Preble has now entered into the next century. We have grown and changed. No doubt about it. Interstate 81 now zooms through the valley. We have a growing population around our lakes. Preble Park offers us recreation as does Song Mountain. Many of our people commute to jobs in other towns and cities. Some have relocated to other areas, but new families move here and we all care deeply about our great town. Facts from Town 1929 Brockway was the first fire truck the town owned Mountain Toppin is the most elevated portion of the town at 1700’ over tide Population in 1825 was 1,327 Population in 1980 was 1,637 Population today is 1,582 What happened years ago? 1804 — Preble Congregational Church UICC 1812 — Preble's first Post Office located in Little Baltimore 1928 — Preble Fire District leased land to house fire equipment 1930 — Preble Fire Department was formed 1865 — Preble Hotel was built 1868 — Elmwood Cemetery was organized 1885 — Perry Haynes planted the first acre of cabbage in Preble. This was also the first acre of cabbage planted in Cortland County. 1927 — The Boulder was dedicated on Memorial Day for World War I veterans. At the end of World War II a plaque was added to honor those veterans. Glen Van Patten's name is on both plaques. 1940 — Preble Milk Cooperative was organized. 1954 — Preble Fire Department Auxiliary was formed with 38 active members. 1983 — Present Charlie Randall Barber Shop opened. What is happening in 2004 Barden Homes coming to Town Saulsbury / E-one leaving Town Town History | Churches | Businesses | Recreation Town Services | Town Board | Planning Board | Zoning Board of Appeals Calendar of Events | Request Brochure | Sign Guest Book Home Page | E-Mail Town Office © 2006 Town of Preble NY