Buildings Alive Historic Architecture Self-Guided Tour

The story of our remarkable restoration and breathtaking architecture is featured in our Buildings Alive Tour and is the perfect backdrop for anyone who decides to #ExploreCorning and shares a photo with the world! The town of Corning was originally developed as the hub of the region's huge lumbering industry. The Chemung River provided the necessary transportation, and in 1851 the rapidly growing community was incorporated as the City of Corning. Corning's Historic Market Street, a model for downtowns everywhere and the heart of America's Most Fun Small Town, was the lumber industry's central thoroughfare and enjoyed as much traffic then as it does today. And you know, it hasn't changed in appearance much either.