Here's something interesting from the history books: for about 30 years, Chautauqua County had a flourishing
silk industry. Apparently silk production in Chautauqua County began in the late 1820s by a
man who is more famous for his role in grape production. Within ten years a "cocoonery" was in operation along the Chadakoin River in
Dexterville (East Jamestown). A detailed history of the Chautauqua County silk industry can be found in a book entitled "
The Conquest of Chautauqua" (1932) by Arthur Wellington Anderson - County Historian.
The raising of silk worms, and the reeling of silk was introduced in this county by Elijah Fay, of Brockton, in 1827, when he brought from the East the mulberry trees, prepared for the production of silk. The industry spread slowly at first, but rapidly over the county in the 30's and 40's. About the year 1845, it began to decline, and was probably nearly extinct by 1860.
- Chapter XII: Highlights in County History -The Silk Industry in Chautauqua County (p. 357)
