MACHIAS JUNCTION 

Mr. Steven Leek after loosing all of his crops to frost (on the road which is now Rt. 16) sought an area where the cold weather would not be such a detriment to his crops. He built the farm which is now owned by John Beamer in Machias Junction. Because he was the first to settle, the town was called Leek for quite some time. 

Machias Junction grew to be a nice little town with two stores selling general merchandise. In 1907 one store burned and around 192O the other store was lost to fire. Neither store was rebuilt- There was also a Blacksmith shop, a barbershop and a hotel. The hotel being a favorite night spot especially because of the railroad business going through town, There was also a last block factory which employed many residents in the area; and manufactured rough last blocks, this was once located between what is now Zip Holland's and Cashman's. The coal yards at the junction was owned by Fred Haas on the Penna. Railroad and Robert McConnell on the BRP railroad. There were also two loading docks on each railorad for loading livestock, and some said there were generally fourteen trains a day. 

Newspaper article 1880; "Building has been begun in earnest, especially at the junction. Rowland and Phillips store is nearly completed and is being filled with goods. L. Warren and Co. have the timber and store on the spot for the new steam saw mill and planner, which is to be built a little west of the junction. Ed Curtis has his timber framed and on the spot for his new dwelling."
 

The above information was obtained from the Machias, New York, Chickasaw Sesquicentennial 1827-1977 book.