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Overview
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and Motels
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It is said that the Great Spirit touched his hand to the
earth creating the Finger Lakes. Others say glacier movements
were responsible for carving out the lakes. However they materialized,
the Finger Lakes are an unusually situated series of scenic
wonders. Tucked in the shores of these lakes, today, are large
cities, small communities, parks and historic landmarks. Many
communities and landmarks are names of Indian origin, with
good reason.
Algonkin Indians are the earliest known inhabitants of the
New York State area. They were a gentle people who lived primarily
on Long Island, Manhattan, and the Hudson River Valley. For
thousands of years these people lived quietly farming, fishing
and hunting with no need of stockades around their villages.
Eventually during a three hundred year period the Iroquois
Nation overtook the peaceful Algonkins. The confederacy of
the Iroquois was compromised of skilled warriors who saw rich
soil and abundant natural resources and took them by force
for their own. The far spreading network of natural waterways
hastened their adventurous travels, thus leading to their
conquering of the discovered Algonkins. A pattern was set
for phases of discovering and conquering. The travel along
waterways was a significant factor, whether the travelers
were Native Americans or European adventurers discovering
a new world.
Unsuspecting Natives shared their great knowledge of survival
in the wilderness with the European settlers. Settlers were
taught how to hunt, trap and farm with corn being a very essential
crop. Native houses in the northeast were called long houses.
These structures were of a log framework and bark walls, usually
20' wide and 100' long. Several families occupied one long
house using a central area for food preparation. Native American
always constructed homes from whatever materials nature supplied.
The north east was abundant with trees and protection was
needed from the harsh winter weather.
The Natives probably never suspected how many Europeans
were going to settle in their country. From the time the very
first European set foot on Plymouth Rock in 1620 until the
movement for independence from England in 1776, the Natives
must have realized they had made a big mistake in welcoming
these new faces to their land.
Much of the Revolutionary War was fought on New York State
soil. The Iroquois bet on British victory, throwing their
support behind them. It was a long intense struggle, but Washington's
Sullivan - Clinton Campaign in 1779 broke the Iroquois resolve.
Iroquois villages were crushed, crops and supplies were destroyed
and remaining Natives were sent to newly established reservations.
After the turmoil of the Revolutionary War, the newly formed
government did not have money for all of the back pay owed
to soldiers. The government divided state land into plots
giving these plots by lottery to soldiers in place of money.
Many soldiers recalled the lush fertile land, abundant waterways
and heavily wooded hills that they viewed while traveling
through the Finger Lakes as soldiers in the Sullivan - Clinton
Campaign. These plots of land were highly prized and plots
were swapped for other plots and sold to soldiers who pinned
their hopes and dreams to settling in the beautiful Finger
Lakes. From the very beginning, the beauty of this region
has drawn people to it.
Settlements were established along waterways for many reasons.
Water was needed for daily living. It provided power for running
grist mills and woolen mills. Water provided the same transportation
opportunities fort he white settlers as it had done for the
Natives. As land was cleared and roads were built, many of
these roads followed well established Indian trails. Many
of those original roads were "corduroy," being made by laying
logs down side by side to raise travelers up out of the mud.
This was a jarring, slow moving way to travel. Water travel
was often faster and more efficient for moving large quantities
of items to different market areas.
The Erie Canal opened in 1825, running between Albany and
Buffalo. This awesome project to build man made canals that
would link natural waterways, making a much easier travel
route all the way across the State of New York was accomplished
by Governor Clinton. What was described by critics as a folly
became one of the biggest success stories in United States
history. People heading west boarded packet boats in New York
City or Albany and, for that era in time, had a relatively
inexpensive, safe and fairly fast journey to the west. Freight
also traveled in both directions on boats, which opened up
new markets for farm produce and many other products. Packet
Boats were pulled by mules and the whole canal concept was
quite a marvelous thing in its day. Many segments of the Erie
Canal are preserved today in various communities. Some sites
along the Erie have museums, walking paths and picnic areas.
Some parts of the Erie are still open to boat travel. The
Erie Canal is very significant in New York State history.
Its creation was a boon to many communities and it truly made
New York State the Gateway to the West.
There are five major Finger Lakes accompanied by several
other lakes that would create strange appendages to the hand
theme. Skaneateles Lake bills itself as the eastern gateway
to the Finger Lakes. It is one of the cleanest lakes in the
world and also one of the most beautiful. The communities
around Skaneaeles Lake have had good far-sighted sense to
protect its waters from pollution and chemical runoff. It
is also a major source of water for the city of Syracuse.
The Village of Skaneateles graces the north end of the lake,
inviting one and all to stop and enjoy the beautiful lake
view, several restaurants and a delightful selection of small
shops. It is a very welcoming community with a rich history
to share.
Otisco Lake lies just to the east of Skaneateles. It is
one of the appendages. Small in size it offers good fishing
and water sport.
Owasco Lake is the next major Finger Lake to the west. The
city of Auburn is near the north end of the lake. Posed on
the north end shore is Emerson Park, donated by the Emerson
family as a public park it once boasted a large amusement
area, a large hotel and a grand carousal, making the park
THE place to be in summertime. Many transitions have taken
place at Emerson Park and it still offers a public swimming
beach, public boat launch and beautiful pavilion and picnic
area for events. A theater in the round offers top notch entertainment
and several community festivals are held annually at the park.
One of the best Agricultural Museums in the area is located
in Emerson Park, as is a Native American Museum. Several Little
League fields ensure that Emerson Park is always humming with
family activity in fair weather months.
The City of Auburn was home to William H. Seward, Harriet
Tubman, and Theodore Case, inventor of sound on film. The
former homes of these people are now museums. One of the finest
examples of Tiffany talent is displayed at the Willard Chapel,
the last building left standing on the site of the Auburn
Theological Seminary. The Schweinfurth Art Center always offers
interesting exhibits and hosts an annual nationally known
Quilt exhibit.
Auburn is the county seat of Cayuga County. The county has
been home to diplomats, a president, women's suffrage figures,
inventors, entrepreneurs, manufacturing moguls and a very
strong base of dedicated, dependable, hard working people
who came to the area from all parts oft he world.
The next lake is the longest of the Finger Lakes. Cayuga
Lake stretches from the Montezuma marshes in the north to
Ithaca in the south. Cornell University and Ithaca College
energize the Ithaca area with a constant infusion of interesting
people. Wells College, a small progressive women's college
in Aurora, is steeped in tradition and dedicated to encouraging
and supporting progressive young women to become leaders in
the world. Union Springs and Cayuga, just north of Aurora,
are small villages that still look much the same as they did
in the 1800's.
Union Springs was settled by several Quaker families from
New Bedford, Mass. Many of the cut stone houses and other
buildings are still in use and are in grand condition. The
present day library was a Quaker meeting house. Three marinas
accommodate boat travel in the area. Historic Frontenac Island
sits just off shore from the village.
Cayuga was the site of the longest bridge in the world at
one time. This bridge spanned Cayuga Lake and housed the county
jail beneath it at the Cayuga Village end of the bridge. For
years Cayuga was home to a large Beacon Mill operation. This
site is in the process of becoming the deepest marina on Cayuga
Lake, Beacon Bay.
Cayuga Lake's shore line has not yet been choked with houses.
These are still many great lake views and public access to
the lake. Sapsucker Woods at the south end of the lake and
the Montezuma Wildlife Refuge are pieces of heaven for birders.
Passing through the Montezuma Refuge on Rts 5 & 20 will
take the traveler to Seneca Lake, the second longest and deepest
Finger Lake.
Part of the Erie Canal still links Cayuga and Seneca Lakes,
making both lakes accessible to boat travel from anywhere
in the world. The canal runs through the Village of Seneca
Falls, which underwent extensive removal and rebuilding of
half of the village to accommodate several locks to make canal
travel possible. Seneca Falls is home to the Women's Hall
of Fame and the Women's Rights National Park, saluting the
work of generations of women's suffrage participants. Hours
can be spent in this small village soaking up history and
vibes from these strong women who went before us.
Waterloo the next village, is the founding place of the
Memorial Day celebration and offers a museum to commemorate
the day.
Geneva, home of Hobart William Smith College, is at the
north end of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen is at the south end.
Watkins Glen is a tourist town with a great park to picnic
in and wander around in. A famous race car track is nestled
in the hills. Boat tours are great fun and knowledgeable guides
tell passengers about lake history and the present day salt
industry taking place well below the lake's surface. Just
a few short miles past Watkins Glen is the small village of
Montour Falls. This little community holds in its heart one
of the most breathtaking waterfalls in all of the Finger Lakes.
Is is not to be missed.
Keuka Lake is a forked shaped lake with the village of Penn
Yan at the tip of its longest fork. Penn Yan is home to the
Buckwheat Festival each September. This festival is a total
community effort that just gets better every year. Hammondsport
is at the southern tip of the lake. It is home to the Curtis
Museum which holds collection of early aircraft, motorcycles,
bicycles and engines, toys and dolls. The Corning Glass Center
is also in the area as is the Rockwell Museum. Keuka Lake
is not in line with the other lakes at the north end. The
north end is about halfway down the length of Seneca Lake.
Canandaigua Lake's north end is in line with the others.
It is a shorter lake. The area still enjoys a strong agricultural
base. A performing arts center draws entertainers and huge
audiences together under the stars. A vibrant business district
in the town of Canandiagua offers something for everyone.
Several small lakes are situated between Canandiagua Lake
and the Genesee River. Honeoye, Canadice, Hemlock and Conesus
Lakes are rich in history, fun to explore and picturesque.
Years ago mineral springs drew large numbers of people seeking
better health to many areas of the Finger Lakes. Now days
skiing, hunting and fishing opportunities abound. Race tracks
for horses and cars are plentiful. Horse and buggies are not
unusual in the Finger Lakes, they often cross paths with snowmobiles
on a frosty winter day.
Antique shops and Bed and Breakfast Inns abound in the Finger
Lakes. Sophistication and quaintness repose side by side.
Visitors can be as busy or as quiet as they desire.
Finger Lakes soil in certain areas is ideal for grape growing.
Wineries are plentiful and it could take days to enjoy the
flavor of each. Many have very nice restaurants and each winery
reflects the owners taste and character, making all of the
Finger Lakes wine trails very enjoyable travel experiences.
The northern edge of the Finger Lakes Region borders on
Lake Ontario. Rochester is located not far from Lake Ontario
in Monroe County. Rochester is a center of culture, offering
history, festivals, extraordinary museums, a living history
19th century village and many great restaurants.
This is a very brief overview of the Finger Lakes. Volumes
have been written covering its history and guides are available
to enhance exploring this vast region. Many areas have not
been touched here because it takes more than one point of
view to do justice to anything. Try developing a view of the
Finger Lakes by contacting the Finger Lakes Association: 1-800-KIT-4-FUN,
1-800-548-4-386. They will be pleased to connect you to the
Finger Lakes.
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