Located in the southwest corner of Cortland County, Virgil was set apart from Homer in 1797 and included the areas of Harford and Lapeer that in 1845 were subdivided out. Other hamlets that have come and many gone over the years include Messengerville, Frank’s Corners, Frog Huddle, Ball’s Corners, and Gridley Hollow. Stories from early Anglo-American settlers indicate the area was heavily forested and occupied by numerous deer, bears, and wolves. Unlike other towns and villages in the county, the town of Virgil lacked a waterway with sufficient power to propel mills and machinery, but H.P. Smith in his History of Cortland County seems to describe the people of Virgil as enterprising, pleasant, and hospitable, having success in agriculture. Over time land was cleared for farming as well as grazing sheep and cattle, although the soil proved more adapted to the latter. The sale of butter out of Virgil to the cities brought a return of $25,000 in 1852- nearly $1 million in today’s currency- an amount thought to have doubled by 1878. According to Nathan Bouton, “As early as the earliest recollection of the oldest inhabitant, the practice of intemperance in the use of intoxicating drinks has prevailed in Town, and has produced its lamentable effects…Temperance societies were formed to counteract and remove this great evil.” The Virgil Temperance Society was formed in 1829. The Virgil Literary Institute acted as a high school to Virgil’s advanced scholars for about twelve years in the 1830s and 40s. At the height of its growth, Virgil had a population of over 4,500 citizens, while today the population count falls much closer to 2,000. Activity revolves around the Greek Peak Ski Resort, and each autumn locals look forward to fresh-pressed apple cider from Hollenbeck’s.