STATE OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THE TOWNSHIPS OF CATHARINE AND MONTOUR AND THE VILLAGES OF ODESSA AND MONTOUR FALLS ANDREW BRUCE, ANDREW BUCK TOM KNIPE, SCOTT MCDONALD CORNELL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMEMENT OF CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING 2009 TABLE OF CONTENTS CULTURAL, HISTORICAL AND RESIDENTIAL RESOURCES 3 DEMOGRAPHICS 8 ECONOMY 12 LAND USE 18 INFRASTRUCTURE 28 ENVIRONMENT 37 STAKEHOLDER ISSUES 44 APPENDIX 46 SOURCES 49 State of the Community Report 2009 2 CULTURAL HISTORIC AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCES CULTURE Early History Cultural Resources One of the greatest strengths of Schuyler County lies The primary cultural resources of a community are its in the people and the culture and history that produced people and their way of life. Catharine and Montour’s rural them. The people and their way of life coupled with the character and friendly atmosphere help create the cultural scenic landscapes and fertile environment make the towns fabric of the community. Social organizations, places of of Catharine, Montour, Montour Falls, and Odessa great worship, libraries, museums, community festivals, and places to live. Before Columbus ever stepped foot on places to appreciate and create art provide residents with this continent the Seneca Indians found these beautiful education, enjoyment, inspiration, spiritual fulfillment and and bountiful lands perfect for their farming and hunt- creative and philanthropic outlets. ing needs. The Iroquois, including the Seneca, allied with the British in the Revolutionary War and were harboring Catharine British Royalists after the British defeat. In 1779, American The Town of Catharine and Village of Odessa have strong General John Sullivan led a campaign to stop the Seneca cultural support systems. It is home to many social service and other Iroquois from attacking American settlements. and veteran’s organizations including the American Le- This campaign pushed the Seneca into Canada, and many gion and the Schuyler County Veterans Memorial Park, of Sullivan’s troops stayed or returned after the campaign the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts of America. There are to settle the area. also many places of worship including The Odessa Wes- leyan Church, The Solid Rock Youth Ministries, The Odessa Growth began slowly in the first part of the nineteenth Baptist Church, The Odessa United Methodist Church, The century. It wasn’t until the completion of the Erie and Catharine United Methodist Church, St Benedict’s Church, Chemung Canals in the 1830’s that the area really be- St John’s Episcopal Church, The Way Cross Sanctuary, gan to flourish. The development of the Elmira, Jeffer- The Cayutaville Church, and The Alpine United Methodist son, Canandaigua and Chemung Railroads in the 1850’s Church. It is also home to the Dutton S. Peterson Memo- continued to spur growth in Schuyler County. Most early rial Library. S17, S10 residents were farmers but some, primarily in the vil- lages, began mercantile, lumbering, manufacturing and milling operations. The Village of Odessa was one of the Montour early mercantile centers of the region and home to both The Town of Montour and Village of Montour Falls are saw and grist mills.S13 The Village of Montour Falls, then equally endowed with a cultural support system. Their so- known as Havana, also had a bustling economy with mills, cial service and veteran’s organizations include: the Lions manufacturing operations, mercantile establishments, The Club, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Women of the Moose, McKeg Opera House, a hotel (the Montour House) – which the Royal Arch Masons, the Free and Accepted Masons is still standing and currently under renovation - and the and the Boy Scouts of America. The places of worship Bethesda Sanitarium Summer Resort and Spa.S5 in the Town of Montour include: The Bethel Fellowship Church, The First Baptist Church, The Montour Falls United True to their roots, residents of Montour and Catharine to- Methodist Church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and the day continue to enjoy the natural beauty, pleasant agrar- Jehovah Witnesses Kingdom Hall. Montour’s library is the ian lifestyle and local entrepreneurship. In this section, we Historic Montour Falls Memorial Library, which started its attempt to give an inventory of major cultural resources in life as the first bank in the area. S17, S10 the towns of Catharine and Montour. State of the Community Report 2009 4 HISTORY Historic Resources treasure than the building itself. The museum contains Historic resources connect communities to their past. historic maps, music, books, government records, business They help us see not only where we have been, but also records, diaries, medical documents and family genealogy where we are and where we are going. They enrich our resources. lives by providing inspiration, enjoyment and a sense of pride in the community. Historic Resources can also pro- The Town of Montour has four New York State Historic vide opportunities for increasing property values through Markers. One marks Catharine’s Landing, the first store restoration, preservation, and generating heritage tourism. and inn in the region. Another marks the first road in The Towns of Catharine and Montour have a rich history Schuyler County known as the Catharine Spenser Turnpike. and numerous historic resources. A third marks the military route of the Sullivan-Clinton army on its campaign against the British and Indians of Western New York in 1779. The final marker stands at Catharine Shequaga Falls translating “She-qua-ga” from the Seneca The Lattin-Crandall Octagon Barn in the Town of Catharine language to English as “Tumbling Waters.” It also notes is on the National Register of Historic Places. Its innova- that Louis Phillipe made a sketch of the falls during his tive self-supported roof and round shape make it unique visit to Montour Falls before he became King of France. and highly appreciated. It was built by William S. Lattin The painting is now on display in the Louvre. S7, S8, P14 in 1893. The first church building in the county is also in Catharine. A New York State Historic Marker is at the site of the old Catharine M.E. Church, erected in 1807. S7, S8 Montour Falls Montour Falls is home to the only Historic District in Schuyler County. The ‘Glorious T’ Historic District was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The district is made up of 24 buildings and Shequaga Falls. Local entrepreneur Charles Cook commissioned the five main buildings between 1854 and 1866: the County Clerk’s office, The Schuyler County Courthouse, the bank, the Montour House and the Episcopal Church. The other build- ings in the district are primarily private residences, but some were and are used for other businesses and servic- es. The buildings in this district are exquisite examples of the striking Greek revival style and are a treasure to take pride in. The one room 1884 Lee School and The Schuyler County Historical Society’s Brick Tavern Museum are listed on the register as separate from the Glorious T District. The Brick Tavern Museum is the oldest brick structure in Schuyler County, built in 1828. It has served as a tavern, a Select School for Boys, a boarding house and a home as well as a Museum. The museum collection inside the beautiful old brick building is possibly a greater historical State of the Community Report 2009 5 RECREATION Recreational resources are great assets for any commu- part of the town, and the Public Boat Launch on Cayuta nity. They can include both natural and man-made places Lake. where residents and visitors can unwind, exercise and enjoy themselves such as a wildlife sanctuary or a ball The Texas Hollow Wildlife Sanctuary offers great field. They facilitate interaction with nature, wildlife and opportunities to hike, ride horses, ski, snowshoe, snowmo- neighbors. These resources also provide opportunities for bile, hunt and bird watch. P18 self-reflection and solitude. These are places where youth can learn valuable lessons about self-reliance, teamwork, The Connecticut Hill State Game Management Area nature and their culture. In these ways, recreational offers hiking, horse riding, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, resources add to the cultural fabric and quality of life in a snowmobiling, hunting and bird watching.p18 community. Cayuta Lake is 588 acres of prime boating and fish- The towns of Catharine and Montour are full of wonderful ing waters. The lake was named for the Seneca princess recreational resources and opportunities that should be Kayutah. As the DEC recounts “Legend has it that the appreciated, protected and enjoyed. The most abundant princess was kidnapped by a hostile tribe. Her mother was recreational resources in Montour and Catharine are per- so saddened she cried until her tears filled the valley and haps the beautiful rural landscape and farms which define formed the lake.” Today, the lake is home to Chain Pick- the character of the area. The ability to enjoy scenic views erel, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Rock Bass, Bluegill, all around the towns of Catharine and Montour is an im- Pumpkinseed and Brown Bullhead species and offers some portant resource for both residents and visitors alike. of the best fishing of the region. There are two camp- grounds on the lake: the Cool-Lea Camp and Lake Grove The growing Agritourism industry depends on the rural Park Camp. Both camps offer boating and tent and RV character of a place and may provide opportunities for camping. P17, S6, S11 additional tourism and farm-based revenues for the area. Agritourism is about experiencing farm work and life first Catharine Park, managed by the Town of Catharine, is hand. Tourists can visit farms to pick crops, ride horses, a great place for group and community gatherings. Park taste locally grown food and recipes, learn about farming Pavilions can be reserved throughout the summer.