Evans & Angola Book

Explore the history of Graycliff’s hometown. Part of the Images of America series, this book uses vintage photographs to tell the story of Evans and Angola. The first permanent settlers arrived just before the War of 1812, and Evans was incorporated in 1821. The village of Angola grew up later around the railroad, which brought industry, including the internationally known Emblem Bicycle Company. The Lake Erie shoreline drew summer camps for kids and adults, and Buffalo’s wealthiest families built summer homes there. Among them was Graycliff, the summer estate Frank Lloyd Wright designed for Darwin Martin. You’ll also meet the town’s most famous resident, William H. Carrier, the “Father of Air-Conditioning,” who was born in Evans, went to school there and graduated from Angola High School in 1894.