6 Towns In The Finger Lakes That Transport You To The Past
The Finger Lakes region of New York State has been a popular resort destination for generations, luring visitors from all over the world to its gorgeous scenery, many recreational activities, and charming small towns. But the Finger Lakes are more than beautiful views, beach days, and weekend getaways. They’re also a picturesque window into the area’s fascinating past with historic main streets and centuries-old landmarks. Visiting these quaint communities provides a window into the Empire State’s rich heritage and history.
Penn Yan
The historic village of Penn Yan on the north end of Keuka Lake is named for its early Pennsylvania and Yankee founders. The town was incorporated in 1833 and has a well-preserved historic district which encompasses 281 structures, some of which date back two centuries. Look out for the Wesleyan Methodist Church where leading suffragette Susan B. Anthony held a Women’s Rights Convention in 1855.
To learn more, call into the Oliver House Museum on Main Street, home of the Yates County Historic Center. Here, you’ll find local history exhibits, Victorian period rooms and furnishings, and a Native American display. Also on Main Street is the old-time candy emporium, Keuka Candy, where you can indulge your sweet-toothed nostalgia with a visit to the old-fashioned soda bar or ice cream counter and browse one of the biggest candy selections in the state.
Stretch your legs after gorging on candy along the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, a seven-mile strip of wooded pathway that stretches to the nearby town of Dresden. The trail offers plenty of opportunities for scenic hikes, fishing, biking, and horseback riding.
Aurora
Aurora, on the eastern side of Cayuga Lake, was founded in 1818. The entire village is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts three museums, including the Millard Fillmore Presidential Site, built in 1826 by the 13th President. Other significant sites include the Aurora Steam Grist Mill and the Mosher Farmstead, established in 1887 and still in the Mosher family today. Before leaving town, be sure to dine at the stately Aurora Inn. Built in 1833 by Colonel E. B. Morgan this beautiful property is a little bit of local history as well as being a scenic spot to enjoy your meal with sweeping views of Cayuga Lake.
Ovid
Established in 1794 and named by a Classics-loving town clerk, Ovid is a pretty community that sprang up from tracts of land given to soldiers after the Revolutionary War. One of the most eye-catching properties in town, the Historical Courthouse Complex, is actually three buildings in one and known affectionately by locals as ‘the three bears’. This grand trio of Greek Revival structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers tours to visitors eager to learn their history.
Sip some local history with a visit to Cayuga Ridge Winery, one of the oldest in the Finger Lakes. Sample their award-winning, estate-grown wines while enjoying views over the pastoral countryside on the shores of Cayuga Lake. Thanks to its prime position sandwiched between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, Ovid is a great destination to explore the water. Head to the beautiful Lodi Point State Marine Park on Seneca Lake to spend some time swimming, boating, or just relaxing on the beach.
Geneva
At the northern end of Seneca Lake is the charming town of Geneva, reportedly named for its counterpart in Switzerland. Geneva was first incorporated in 1806 and began largely as a quaint farming community and resort town. Today, Geneva is known for its historic row houses, which line South Main Street and mimic those found in Georgetown and Boston.
Geneva’s other landmark attraction is Belhurst Castle, built in the 1880s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The castle grounds are now home to three hotels, two restaurants, a winery, and a spa. You’ll find more fine dining, gorgeous views, and scenic grounds at the town’s other historic resort, Geneva on the Lake, which was built in 1914 in the style of an Italian villa.
Downtown, you can visit another treasure from the past with a trip to the 1894 Smith Opera House. The centre of Geneva’s arts scene, the property is now home to the Smith Center for the Arts and has a packed program of concerts, orchestral performances, modern dance, opera, and community theater.
Auburn
Auburn, on Owasco Lake, has seen a lot of history since its founding in 1805. This scenic small town in the heart of the Finger Lakes became a key stop on the Underground Railroad in 1858 when New York Senator William Seward sold his Auburn property to Harriet Tubman. Around 500 slaves are thought to have passed through the town on their journey north. Learn more about this significant period in Auburn’s history by taking a tour of the Harriet Tubman Home and/or stopping by the Seward House Historic Museum, built in 1816 and now a museum filled with original furnishings, artwork and personal belongings of the Seward family.
You can see and learn more about Harriet Tubman at the NYS Equal Rights Heritage Center on South Street, which has a famous statue of the iconic abolitionist in the courtyard. The Center tracks the history of civil rights movements in New York State from the 1800s to the present day through interactive displays and creative exhibits.
Naples
Naples has gone by quite a few names over its long history, beginning as Nundawao, then Watkinsville, then Middletown, and finally becoming Naples in 1808. For a glimpse into the town’s past, wander around downtown. There, you’ll see historic landmarks, including the Naples Memorial Town Hall, built in 1870-72, the Williams House, built in the early 1790s, and the 1793 Town Square. Pick up some information and a self-guided walking tour at the Naples Historical Society located in the Morgan House building on Mill Street.
Naples is home to one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes, the Widmer Wine Cellars, now known as Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars. Family-owned and operated, this beautiful winery offers tours and tastings in the picturesque hills around Naples. There’s even a 0.7-mile hiking trail on the property if you feel like exploring. With its long history of wine production, it’s no wonder Naples celebrates the grape with a huge festival every year. The Naples Grape Festival takes place on the last weekend of September and takes over the town to offer guests local foods, wines, arts, and music.
History And Heritage In The Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes were formed around two million years ago as glacial flows moved south, carving out lakes in their path. The region’s earliest Native American settlers believed the area’s distinctive lakes were created when the Great Spirit reached out and left his handprint on the earth. Lush, scenic, and easily accessible, it wasn’t long before the lakes caught the attention of Colonial explorers, European farmers, salt miners, and later resort operators and tourists. Don’t be fooled by the tranquil pace of life in the lakes. This area has witnessed some seminal moments in American history, from the Revolutionary War to the fight for women’s rights through to the creation of the Underground Railroad. The small towns of the Finger Lakes promise more than just a relaxing vacation, they’re a window to the past and a national historical treasure.
