The town is named after Elbridge Gerry,[2] the fifth Vice President of the United States, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

This tract comprised most of present-day Camillus and all of Van Buren and Marcellus in what is now the County of Onondaga in Central New York's Finger Lakes Region.

An 1896 article from Onondaga's Centennial by Dwight H. Bruce describes the area as "a densely wooded wilderness, frequented by Indians and inhabited by bears, wolves and other beasts of the forest and could not have presented an appearance other than of gloomy waste."

In fact, according to some legends, Cross Lake, which forms the northern boundary of the town, was the home of the historical Hiawatha.

The Village of Elbridge was located on a well-traveled Indian trail that eventually became New York State Route 5.

As the town and village expanded with the arrival of new settlers, businesses such as mills, taverns and shops were established.

Many industries were located on Skaneateles Creek, including several chair factories and the Amphion Piano Player Company.

Elbridge Elementary School now occupies the site which The Architectural Instructor Journal called "an open landscape... surrounded by trees, which with the irregularity of the [Gothic-style] plan and outline of the structure itself, contribute to its picturesque effect."

The Main Street of Elbridge (Route 5) is lined with beautiful 19th century homes, including at least one that is said to have been a station on the Underground Railroad and the Wayside Inn.

According to some stories, a traveler died of a heart attack on the third floor and his spirit, dubbed "George", still flirts with women and plays practical jokes.

This settlement became a center of trade and manufacturing with the building of the Erie Canal, which passes directly through town.

Still, a few industries remain including OWI Wire Mill, Bennet Bolt Works and Northeast Electronics.

Although Tessy lost some income when its largest client, Xerox, stopped selling inkjet printers, it has continued to expand with its medical work.