Long the home of the Seneca Indians, the area which would become the Town of Greece was first visited by the French explorer LaSalle in 1669. This area would be witness to numerous troop movements over the next century as the French and English fought for control of North America. The Indian trail on the Ridge became the roadway along which English troops under General John Prideaux marched against the French at Fort Niagara. Later this same trail would carry pioneers and settlers westward. The first permanent settlement was established in 1792 along the west side of the Genesee River at King's Landing, later to be named Hanford Landing.

With the establishment of the Port of the Genesee by President Thomas Jefferson in 1805, trade from the Great Lakes began to pour in. With access to Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, Ridge Road and later the Erie Canal, the Town became a transportation hub and a major supplier of farm produce to the new and growing nation.

Originally called Northampton, the Town of Greece was established by the New York State Legislature on March 22, 1822. Its name was chosen because of the current wave of sympathy toward the Greeks who were then fighting for independence from Turkish rule. The Town seat was named Charlotte for the daughter of Colonel Troup, the land agent for an English estate which owned much of western New York at the time. Charlotte itself was incorporated as a village in 1869, and was part of Greece until 1916 when it was annexed to the City of Rochester as the 23rd Ward.

Agriculture would remain the dominant enterprise in Greece until the twentieth century, when Eastman Kodak Company would become the major industrial employer in the region. Most of the Town's growth has occurred after World War II with the population exceeding 94,000 in 2000. The character of Greece today is of a residential suburb with modern industry and commerce.

The official flag of the Town of Greece was adopted at a meeting of the Town Council on August 17, 1954. Centered in a field of white is a circular emblem, designed by J. S. Perticone depicting the old lighthouse at the mouth of the Genesee River which was built in 1822 - the same year the Town was established. The circle represents the shield of the warriors of the Ancient Greece and the border is of characteristic Greek design. Lightning flashes symbolize energy and strength and the colors - terra cotta, golden yellow and black - are those used in old Greek pottery and artistic decorations.

Form of Town Government
The Town is a suburban Town of the first-class and was organized on March 22, 1822. Greece Central School District, Spencerport Central School District and Hilton School District serve the Town and rely upon their own taxing powers granted by the State to raise revenues.

The Supervisor of the Town is the presiding member of the Town Board, is elected for a term of four years and is eligible to succeed himself. In addition to the Supervisor, there are four members of the Town Board who are elected for two year terms with term limits of 5 consecutive 2 year terms. The Supervisor is elected at large and each council member is elected from one of four districts.

The Town appoints its Town Clerk, Commissioner of Public Works and Town Attorney. The Tax Receiver is an elected official who serves a four year term.

Topography
The Town's 41.78 square miles of land area is located along eight miles of Lake Ontario's south shore, and is bordered on the east by the City of Rochester through which runs the Genesee River. The topography of the Town of Greece is similar to many regions in western New York whose myriad of streams and ridges were carved out of the land by the glacial mass during the last ice age.

The Town's main topographical feature is the Ridge running east-west through the southern portion of the Town. A natural roadway for the native population of the region, it would later become the "Honeymoon Trail" for countless couples on their way to Niagara Falls. North of the Ridge lies flatland leading up to Lake Ontario, along the shores of which lie many sandy beaches, wetlands, and numerous bays and ponds, all supporting an abundance of waterfowl and other wildlife. South of the Ridge, the land rolls gently to the New York State Barge Canal, one of the great engineering feats of the early nineteenth century, and then southward into the Genesee Valley.

Like the early days of American expansion, the Town's development is from east to west. Commercial and residential development is concentrated in the east and south, while the west remains mainly undeveloped, consisting of farmland and dense woodlands. The industrial park of Eastman Kodak Company is located along the southern portion of the Town.

Climate
The location of the Town of Greece provides it with weather patterns of great seasonal contrast. Cold snowy winters, cool rainy springs, hot summers and a long rainy autumn are characteristic of the climate of Western New York. These weather patterns are the creation of a unique blend of conditions resulting from the proximity of the Great Lakes to the Town's location. These "lake effects" have a profound impact upon the weather.

Cold lake waters cool the surrounding air early in the year, delaying the onset of summer, but reducing the impact of early storm systems. As hot summer weather warms the lake waters, this trend begins to reverse itself. The cooler air of Autumn now mixes with the warm moist air above the lake. The skies become increasingly cloudy. These patterns continue into winter where the precipitation changes from rain to snow.
 

Economy/Employment
The Town of Greece is a growing suburb located northwest of the City of Rochester. 
A large skilled workforce supplies resources necessary for the many large employers in the area.

Growth
The Town of Greece has experienced high population growth over the past several decades as it has progressed from a rural farming community to one based more on commerce and industry.

Economy
The Town of Greece, being a part of the Greater Rochester Metropolitan Area, contributes to the growing prosperity of the region.

Employers
The following is a list of major employers:

Community Awards

Crown Communities Award: Greece was a recipient of the Crown Communities Award in 1998 for its innovative approach to financing its new Town Hall building.

Design for Excellence Award: Greece was awarded the New Construction Citation of Merit in 2001 by the American Institute of Architects of Rochester for the design of the Greece Town Hall.

Tree City USA: Due to the Town's successful implementation of its Forestry Plan, Greece is a designated Tree City. Each year the Town plans approximately 300 new trees.

Outstanding Planning Award: In 2003, Greece was awarded an Outstanding Planning Award in the Planning Implementation category for the Town's Open Space Acquisition Program.

Morgan-Quitno Award: Greece was once again recognized as one of the safest communities in the nation.

American Automobile Association: Greece was given the Platinum Award for excellence in traffic safety.

Educational Institutions
Citizens of the Town of Greece enjoy access to a large number of educational institutions within the Rochester area. Two renowned universities, the best junior college in the state, a divinity school, 3 catholic colleges, 2 music schools, and several other smaller institutes.

University of Rochester: The oldest of the major learning centers in the area, the University of Rochester is a leader in the fields of biology, chemistry, and medical sciences. Its partnership with Strong Memorial Hospital, a major cancer research center, allows it to maintain its educational programs at the forefront of medical technology and knowledge. The William E. Simon School provides an unparalleled education in graduate management studies.

Rochester Institute of Technology: Established by Bausch and Lomb as Mechanics Institute to provide vocational training to the local populace during the last century, Rochester Institute of Technology is considered one of the best universities in the United States. Its engineering and computer science programs rival those of MIT, and its Imaging Science School and School of Graphic Arts are literally second to none.

Other Colleges and Schools: Residents of Greece can benefit from many other colleges and schools located nearby. Monroe Community College, Rochester Colgate Divinity School, Roberts Wesleyan College, St. John Fisher College, Nazareth College, the Eastman School of Music, the Hochstein Music School and Bryant and Stratton Business School.

Cultural Amenities
Greece, as well as the City of Rochester and the other surrounding towns, is home to a wide variety of cultural and historical sites, celebrations and shows. Residents of Greece enjoy many of the following:

Theater and Music
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Greece Symphony Orchestra, GEVA Theater, and many of the Performing Arts groups provide highly cultural entertainment on a regular basis at an affordable price. These include symphonies, plays, opera, and modern dance. Both the Eastman School of Music and the Hochstein Music School schedule regular performances.

History
The surrounding area is home to many battles and skirmishes between French, Iroquois English, and Americans. This area saw action in the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. Several historical figures made their homes in Rochester or one of the surrounding Towns. Frederick Douglass (the abolitionist), Susan B. Anthony (the woman's suffragist), Francis Bellamy (author of the Pledge of Allegiance) and George Eastman (the industrialist who founded Eastman Kodak Company).

Museums
In addition to Greece's own Historical Museum, the Rochester Museum and Science Center and the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum provide enlightenment as well as entertaining displays. The Strasenburgh Planetarium, part of the RMSC, is one of the best planetariums in the country and presents shows daily.

Library
The Greece Public Library is part of Monroe County Library System and receives more than 450,000 visits annually. A new main library facility was completed in 2000 and provides 35,000 square feet of space for book and other media used by the library patrons.

Community and Senior Center
Greece has its own Community and Senior Center located in the geographic center of the Town of Greece on Town Hall campus. This two story structure is approximately 35,000 sq. ft. This new center features a 7,800 sq. ft. gymnasium, senior citizen's lounge, 4,530 sq. ft. multi-purpose room, art room, dance/activity room, programmed fitness area, and walking track.

Festivals and Celebrations
Rochester's Lilac Festival in historic Highland Park. Many ethnic festivals provide entertainment in the form of music, dance and comedy. A "taste" of another way of life can be found in the many ethnic dishes served during the week-long festivals interspersed throughout the summer and fall months.

Recreation
The large expanse of undeveloped land and the more than 8 miles of shoreline along Lake Ontario is a natural habitat for many forms of wildlife. This abundance of natural land area coupled with many bays and ponds provides many recreational opportunities for the residents of Greece. Some of the more common recreational activities are: 

Boating
Braddock Bay Marina is operated by an independent contractor under lease from the Town. The 1800 acres of Braddock Bay are used for all types of water recreational activities, and privately owned marinas operate on the bay, as well as Lake Ontario.

Camping
Several state parks and camping grounds are within short driving distance from the Town. Hamlin Beach State Park is approximately 10 miles from Town's border and offers camping as well as lake front beach access.

Fishing
Greece has numerous creeks, streams and ponds to which the residents routinely avail themselves for fishing.

Golf
Three privately owned golf courses are open to the public. Additionally, Ridgemont Country Club maintains golfing facilities. The region offers several national recognized private courses one of which, Locust Hill Country Club, is home of an annual LPGA event. The private Oak Hill Country Club has played host to men's PGA events.

Biking/Hiking
Several bike trails are located within the Town, as well as trails along the New York State Erie Canal (formerly the Barge Canal) maintained by New York State. The Town's bike trail stretches from the Canal to Lake Ontario.  Access can be obtained from Henpeck Park on Ridgeway Ave.& Elmgrove and Basil Marella Park, 975 English Rd.

Hunting
Deer, waterfowl and small game are hunted in the town. Shotgun (bird shot only) and bow hunting are restricted to specific areas.

Parks
The Town maintains 17 park areas containing 764 acres of land. Of this, only 189 acres are currently developed, with the remaining lands to be used for passive recreation. Located within these 189 acres are 13 baseball diamonds, 10 soccer fields, 3 combination football/soccer fields, 8 basketball courts, 20 tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts 16 playgrounds, a skate park, 2 disc golf courses (1 - 18 hole and 1 - 9 hole), and several nature trails.

Zoo
The Seneca Park Zoo is located in the City of Rochester just a few miles from the Town line.

Skiing
Numerous ski resorts are only a few hours away from Greece. Swain, Holiday Valley, Bristol Mountain, Gore Mountain and many other locations are nearby.

Sports Teams
The City of Rochester is the home of two champion minor league teams: The Rochester Red Wings baseball team - affiliated with the Minnesota Twins; and the Rochester American hockey team - affiliated with the Buffalo Sabres. In 1996, Rochester also became the home of the Rochester Rhinos, an A League team of the United Soccer League.

In addition to the above three professional teams, there are numerous college teams in the area with regular home game schedules.

Sports Arenas
Frontier Field was completed in 1996. It is a modern open air stadium suitable for all types of field sports and can be used for outdoor concerts as well. Red Wings baseball play their home games there. The Rochester Rhinos soccer club play their home field, Paetech Park. The Rochester Americans play at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial.

Transportation

Airports
The Greater Rochester International Airport provides air travel from the Rochester area to many other major airports through the country and Canada. Page Avjet provides runway facilities for smaller aircraft, typically commuter lines and private charters.

Bus System
The residents of the Town of Greece are served by the Genesee Regional Transit Authority bus system which operates throughout the Rochester area.