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The Finger Lakes Region is home to the Finger Lakes and multiple cities. Lakes in the region include Otisco, Owasco, Seneca, and Keuka.[1] Some of the cities in the same general area are Rochester, Syracuse, and Binghamton. The north side of the region goes along Lake Ontario while the east wraps around Cicero, Hamilton, and Oneonta. The region stretches down past Binghamton, Elmira, Olean, and Jamestown in a rectangular shape. Weather near the Finger Lakes has an average high of 73 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of around 25 degrees. Rain falls in June and October more often, and snowfalls from November to April, with an average of 5.5 inches of snow on the ground in February each year.[5] Many tourists visit the area to spend time at the Finger Lakes, but the cities within the region are also a draw for tourism. Things to do within the region include the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Watkins Glen State Park, Robert Treman State Park, the Finger Lakes National Forest, and Erie Canal Museum.[3] Other activities within the region are in Rochester. These include the Strong National Museum of Play, Highland Park, Seabreeze Amusement Park, the Erie Canal Trail, and the Seneca Park Zoo.[4]
The Finger Lakes Region is best known for the lakes and cities within it. The lakes include the Otisco, Skaneateles, Owasco, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, Canandaigua, Honeoye, Canadice, Hemlock, and Conesus Lakes.[1] Some examples of cities nearby are Rochester, Syracuse, and Binghamton. Within the area are many attractions. Activities near the Finger Lakes consist of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Robert Treman State Park, Watkins Glen State Park, Erie Canal Museum, and Finger Lakes National Forest. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is home to many animals, such as elephants, penguins, tigers, leopards, monkeys, sloths, meerkats, and multiple species of birds. Robert Treman State Park has numerous waterfalls, a pool, and a hiking trail. Watkins Glen State Park has hiking trails, waterfalls, cabins, and a graveyard. The Erie Canal Museum is home to many historical artifacts such as plates and other dishes. During the wintertime, they display gingerbread houses. Finger Lakes National Forest has campsites and trails, along with multiple wild animals in the area, such as turkeys and deer.[3]
In Rochester, there are many things guests can do during their stay. Some of these things are the Strong National Museum of Play, Seabreeze Amusement Park, Highland Park, Seneca Park Zoo, and the Erie Canal Trail. The Strong National Museum of Play has an assortment of activities for children to participate in, such as shopping, constructing a train, and riding a carousel. There are also exhibits on superheroes and animals. Seabreeze Amusement Park has many rides, roller coasters, and other attractions along with a water park. Highland Park has multiple trails people can go on. There are many flowers and trees in the area, and guests can have the chance to see animals in the area. Seneca Park Zoo holds many animals, including lions, zebras, rhinos, giraffes, and red pandas. The Erie Canal Trail goes along rivers and has activities along with it such as boating, biking, and going on bridges.[4]
The Finger Lakes Region goes along Lake Ontario and stretches down past the cities of Binghamton, Elmira, Olean, and Jamestown. The east side of the border wraps around Cicero, Hamilton, and Oneonta. The west area of the border curves around Jamestown before going up to Medina. The region has the Finger Lakes within it, making it wetter and relatively flat. Within the region, there are hills, and mountains can be seen in the distance. The weather in the region is relatively warm, with an average high of 73 degrees Fahrenheit and an average low of 25 degrees. Rain is more likely to fall in the months of June and October, while snow is likely to fall from November to April. Snow gets up to an average of around 5.5 inches in February each year.[5]
Animals in the region vary depending on where a person goes within the region. Throughout the cities and the areas surrounding them, animals such as raccoons, squirrels, Canadian geese, woodchucks, skunks, and opossums can be found.[6] Near the Finger Lakes, animals such as bald eagles, beavers, black bears, great blue herons, river otters, sandhill cranes, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and snow geese are more common.[8] Plants that grow in large numbers within the region include crocosmias, Oregon grapes, southern magnolias, black elders, hostas, and coleus.[7]
Finger Lakes is part of the Iroquois homeland. Included in the Iroquois tribe are the Seneca and Cayuga nations. Two of the largest lakes are named after these nations. Along with the Iroquois tribe lived the Tuscarora tribe from ca. 1720. Living at the eastern edge of the region were the Onondaga and Oneida tribes. They were located to two lakes, which were named after them. The Iroquois tribe had an easternmost tribe called the Mowhawk. Many other tribes moved to the area seeking the protection of the Iroquois during colonial times. Major towns inside the area included Kanadaseaga (currently known as Geneva), Goiogouen, Chonodote (presently known as Aurora), and Catherine's Town, which is located near present-day Watkins Glen. Because of their numbers and power, the Iroquois tribe was able to keep European settlers away for nearly two centuries. The Iroquois tribe used ingenuity and adaptability to resist the Europeans.
During the American Revolutionary War, the part of the Iroquois tribe sided with the British while the other part sided with the Americans, causing a civil war within the tribe. During the war, most of the Iroquois towns were destroyed, and Iroquois power was broken. After the war, the Indians, including the Iroquois tribe, were assigned reservations. Most of their land was made available for purchase and settlement. Part of the land made public was the Finger Lakes.[1]
Rochester was first inhabited by the Seneca tribe but lost most of the land during the Treaty of Big Tree in 1797. The development of Rochester followed the American Revolution. The cession was forced by the Iroquois tribe. Because of their ally with the British, four major Iroquois tribes were forced to move from the area but were given a large portion of land as a reward for their loyalty to the British. Rochester itself was founded shortly after the American Revolution by immigrants from New England. In November of 1803, three men, including Nathaniel Rochester, Major Charles Carroll, and William Fitzhugh, purchased a 100-acre tract from the state. In 1817, other landowners joined their lands with the Hundred Acre Tract to form Rochesterville. It became the seat of Monroe County by 1821 and was officially renamed Rochester in 1823. It became the most prominent flour-producing city in the United States by 1838 and was nicknamed "Flour City." Rochester also became America's first "boomtown." From 1830-1831 Rochester experienced a big Protestant revivalist moment. It was lead by Charles Grandison Finney. Many things were changed or closed during the revival. As time passed, Rochester continued to develop. The black population rose to more than 25,000 during the 1950s.
In 1964 a riot started in the town. By the end of it, five people had been killed, and many stores had been damaged or looted. Almost a thousand people were arrested for damaging the stores. After the riots, people established FIGHT (Freedom, Integration, God, Honor, Today), which helped open employment and city governance. The population continued to rise over time. In 1950, the ratio of black to white was 97.6% white and 2.3% black. By 2018 the population had declined, and the percentage of black to white was around 46.58% white and 40.71% black or African American.[2]
Sherman, New York, is home to the Brushwood Folklore Center, a campground located in the rolling hills of western New York. With 150 units—including primitive tent sites, electric tent/trailer sites, and an RV area—visitors have a variety of options. The campground emphasizes a “primitive camping” experience but also offers modern amenities such as a pool and hot tub. In total, 180 acres make up the campground, with open grassy areas, meadows, and shaded tree sections. Brushwood Folklore Center LLC promotes a culture of acceptance, allowing guests to feel at home and free to express themselves. Protocols for behavior and safety are in place, and pets are not permitted—with the exception of service dogs. The campground hosts various events and activities, including festivals and workshops. Some of the nearby attractions are the Chautauqua Institution, wineries, lakes, and the National Comedy Center. Regarding the property's history, Brushwood Folklore Center LLC first began as an art community before becoming a campground in 1989. Notably, the business has been owned and operated by the same family since its establishment.
...Read MoreCamp Bell Campground is a five-acre campground in Campbell, New York that operates from May 1st to October 15th. The property has 96 total rental sites, including 88 RV spots, 4 cabins, and 4 camper rentals. Camp Bell Campground also has various features and amenities, such as a heated in-ground pool, a recreation center with upstairs space for weddings and parties, rentable pavilions with adjoining grass space, a playground, a dog park, bathrooms, showers, and a store. Annual events take place on-site, including Halloween and Christmas parties, memorials, paddle cart races, wagon rides, Tanglewood events, and live musical performances from local bands. Some noteworthy attractions near Camp Bell Campground are the Corning Museum of Glass, Watkins Glen State Park, the National Soaring Museum, Tanglewood Nature Center, and local wineries.
...Read MoreCherry Hill Campground is found in Darien Center, New York, which is located about an hour southeast of Niagara Falls. Patrons can reserve an RV site, dry camping space, cabin, or lean-to from May to October. There are 50 sites in total, with a majority of those being for RVs and tents. The cabins and lean-tos do not have any furnishings, so guests are expected to bring their own bedding, air mattresses, or sleeping bags. The business is pet-friendly and allows visitors to bring their animals with them to the campsites. Due to the location of the establishment in a more rural setting, people can participate in many outdoor recreational activities, namely fishing, hiking, and biking. A couple of noteworthy locations that are nearby are Six Flags Darien Lake and Darien Lakes State Park. Some of the further attractions that are about an hour away are Lake Ontario, Letchworth State Park, and Lake Erie.
...Read MoreLakeside Campground
Presently under the ownership of Tony and Penny Spaid, the accommodations at Lakeside Campground are available seasonally from May 1st to October 15th. The owners appreciate the property's location, which is in a hilly woodland area known as the Endless Mountain Region, as Tony describes an experience at Lakeside Campground as feeling "like traditional camping because of the forest feel." Hawkins Pond State Forest, which partially contributes to the natural environment of the vicinity, neighbors the establishment. While the trees play a significant role in the campground's atmosphere, the forty-acre property also has an on-site lake that visitors can fish and swim in. Tony and Penny hope that patrons will feel "at home" and safe during their time at Lakeside Campground.
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