GrandIslandThrills.com . . . Grand Island, NY: founded in 1651... Population as of 2000: 18,621. The Senecas called Grand Island Ga-we-not, meaning the great island....The French called the island La Grande Isle...Grand Island, Beaver, and Buckhorn Islands were made into the town of Grand Island in 1852... After the French and Indian Wars, Grand Island became part of the British power... The Porter-Smyth duel took place in Grand Island in 1812.
