History of Cayuga County, New York, USA

1854 - Cayuga
Cayuga, a county near the centre of New York, has an area of about 752 square miles. It is partly bounded on the N. by Lake Ontario, and on the W. by Cayuga lake, and is drained by the Seneca river, Owasco creek, and other smaller streams, which furnish abundant water-power. Owasco lake, in this county, is a beautiful body of water, 10 miles long. The surface is undulating ; the soil is generally very productive and well cultivated. Wheat, Indian corn, oats, and grass are the staples. In 1850 this county produced 704,954 bushels of corn ; 46*8,730 of wheat; 735,441 of oats; 72,590 tons of hay, and 1,673,316 pounds of butter. There were 33 flour and grist mills, 72 saw mills, 2 cot ton factories, 8 woollen factories, 3 carpet factories, 10 iron foundries, and 19 tanneries. It contained 87 churches and 7 news paper establishments. There were 14,686 pupils attending public schools, and 607 at tending academies or other schools. Water- limestone, gypsum, and limestone are found here in... Read MORE...

1870 - Many fields of tobacco up the Cayuga Valley, N. Y., it is reported, will yield a handsome second crop.

St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
October 22, 1870

1878 - PERSONAL.
Dr. Horatio Robinson, an uncle of Mr. E. N. Robinson of this village, delivered a very interesting address before the Cayuga County Historical Society May 15, on the introduction of homeopathy in Cayuga county. He was the first man to practice homeopathy in that county. He is aged 80 years, and as sprightly as many young men.
The Evening Gazette
Port Jervis, New York
May 28, 1878

1895 - Cayuga
Cayu'ga, a county in # central part of New York, has an area of about 773 square miles. It is bounded on the N. by Lake Ontario, partly on the W. by Cayuga Lake, and is intersected by Seneca River. Among its physical features is Owasco Lake, about 10 miles long. The shorts of Cayuga and Owasco Lakes present beautiful scenery. The surface is undulating, and diversified with high ridges and deep ravines; the soil is very fertile. Wheat, barley, Indian corn, oats, butter, and wool are the staple products. Forests of the ash, beech, elm, hickory, white oak, sugar maple, &c., are found here. Gypsum, Onondaga limestone corniferous limestone, and other rocks of the Devonian and Silurian ages are abundant. This county is intersected by two branches of the New York Central Railroad, by the Southern Central Railroad, and by the Erie Canal: and another railroad extends along the E. shore of Cayuga Lake. Capital, Auburn. Pop, in 1870, 59,550; in 1880, 65,081: in 1890, 65,302.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1897 - Sentenced to Electrocution
Auburn, N.Y., March 16. - Frank Sheldon, a well known cattle dealer of Cayuga county, was yesterday convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to be electrocuted during the week beginning April 25. The verdict was a surprise to all who have followed the case. The jury was out 84 1/ 2 hours. Sheldon received the sentence with scarcely visible emotion. George Sheldon, a brother, was bowed in grief, and Assemblyman Sheldon, a younger brother, covered his face with his handkerchief. The Sheldon family has been prominent in Cayuga county for many years, but Frank had long neglected his wife.
Mount Camel Item
Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
March 17, 1897

1897 - THE RAGING FOREST FIRES - Part of Cayuga County, N.Y., All Ablaze.
Many Farm Houses, Barns, Hay Stacks and Animals Have Been Burned - The Farmers Fighting the Flames Night and Day - There has Been No Rain in the Vicinity Since July.

AUBURN, N.Y., Oct. 18. - The northern part of Cayuga county is ablaze with forest fires which have been raging for the past two days, and nearly all the timber in the vicinity of Red Creek, Lowville, Sterling and North Victory has been destroyed. Many farm houses, barns, hay stacks and animals have been burned. The farmers are fighting the flames night and day, but as there has been on rain in the vicinity since last July, the parched condition of the ground and the muck in the swamps make their efforts almost futile.

Trenches are being dug along the Lehigh Valley railroad by section men to protect its property, and land is being plowed as rapidly as possible in the hope that the progress of the destructive blaze can be checked until rain comes. The heaviest losers are Chas. W. Eddy and Sexton Smith. Mr. Smith's... Read MORE...

1902 - Aged Triplet Sisters. They Were Born in Cayuga County, This State, and All Still Live.
From The Syracuse Herald.

At Ira, Cayuga County, June 24, 1844, triplets were born to Mr. and Mrs. Blake. They were all girls and were named Sarah, Mary, and Martha. They are all living, enjoying excellent health, and if they live until June 24 next they will be fifty-eight years old.

Of this long-lived trio, one, Miss Martha Blake, lives in Auburn with her niece, Mrs. William Smith, at 43 Capitol Street. Sarah Blake Showers, another of the triplets, lives at Bethel, Cayuga county, and the third of the trio, Mary Blake Conoyer, resides at Valley Springs, Minnehaha County, Dakota.

The grandparents of the Cayuga County triplets were both children of twins and each born in the same year. They lived to the ages of ninety-four and ninety-five years.

Slightly older triplets than the Blake sisters are the Windecker brothers and sister, born at Lowville, Lewis County, June 9, 1844.
The New York Times
New York, New York
January 19, 1902

Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Cayuga County:
1. Finger Lakes Wine Tasting: Cayuga County is part of the Finger Lakes wine region, known for its exceptional wineries. You can embark on a wine tour and visit vineyards like Swedish Hill Winery, Thirsty Owl Wine Company, and Montezuma Winery to sample some of the finest wines in the region.

2. Cayuga Lake State Park: This picturesque state park on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake offers a variety of outdoor activities, including swimming, picnicking, hiking, and bird-watching. The lakefront is perfect for a relaxing day by the water.

3. Sterling Renaissance Festival: If you're visiting during the summer, don't miss the Sterling Renaissance Festival. It's a lively and immersive experience that transports you back to the 16th century with jousting tournaments, comedy shows, and artisan markets.

4. Harriet Tubman National Historical Park: Learn about the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, at this historical... Read MORE...