The village has always been fairly small considering it is located in between, and in close proximity to, the two larger villages of New Hartford and Whitesboro York Mills also adjoins the village of Yorkville, both being western suburbs of the City of Utica. The village incorporated a blacksmith, bakery, drug stores, and a few hotels. The name New York Mills originated from the mills that were located in the small village. In 1870 the Burr Stone Mill was built. It is massive in size and stands four and a half stories high, "the mill is 250 feet long and 70 feet wide". Weaving machinery was dedicated to the first floor of the building. "The remaining floors two, three, and four were for spooling, carding, and warping"