Nestled between the Genesee Valley to the east and the Niagara Frontier to the west, Genesee County has been called "America's First Frontier." In the years following the War of Independence, pioneers used the area as a meeting place to trade with settlers and Native-Americans from the west. The "Mother of Counties," Genesee County was formed in 1802 to serve the growing population of Western New York. In 1802, its borders stretched from Pennsylvania to Lake Ontario and from the Genesee River to Lake Erie. From 1807 until 1841, Genesee County decreased in size as other Western New York counties were formed. Located halfway between Buffalo/Niagara Falls & Rochester the county has 3 major exits off the New York State Thruway,(I-90) Exits 47,48,and 48A.