Development was slow until the New York and Erie Railroad established a station in Dunkirk village in 1851.

The first naval skirmish in the War of 1812 began in Lake Erie near the mouth of Canadaway Creek, which is now within the boundaries of the western part of the town.

A small marker commemorating the event sits near the intersection of Route 5 and Temple Street.

[3] The New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) and NY Route 5 pass through the town.

The town of Dunkirk is served by the Buffalo-Chicago main lines of both CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway.