From the County Historian's Office - Avon's White Horse Statue
The iconic white horse statue, at the busy East Avon intersection, links to the area’s travel history.
A series of white horses welcomed visitors to the White Horse Tavern at Rts. 5 & 20 and Rt. 15. The current horse statue, made of concrete, dates back to 1930. Previously, from about 1910, there was a wooden white horse, and before that, a sign with a white horse (of course!).
The brick tavern once stood just behind the current horse sculpture and is said to have opened in 1812. For about a century, people traveling by wagon or carriage stopped to rest and refresh. When the first cars rolled by, the tavern switched to catering to automobile drivers, turning the stables into a garage.
The White Horse Tavern burned in 1955, leaving behind the iconic horse statue. Today, thirsty cars and trucks fuel up at the gas station on the site.
The white horse is a favorite local landmark, reminding us of East Avon’s story as a busy crossroads, then and now.
Do you wonder about a landmark in your neighborhood and its stories? All questions about people, places, and events in Livingston County are welcomed by the County Historian’s Office.
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