From its highest point at Connecticut Hill to its lowest one a half mile under Cayuga Lake at the Cargill Salt Mine, Tompkins County names the places that makes their Finger Lakes communities unique. County place names come from Native American settlements and people, from families who’ve migrated from other states and countries, and from the natural beauty and resources forged by distinctive geology.
To explore the history and patterns of these place names, a core group of Tompkins County historians and writers has launched Names on the Land-Tompkins County. Throughout 2017, the team will publish place name histories illustrated with maps, photos, and linked content on an interactive website and Facebook page. The History Center will coordinate events to engage residents (both past and present) and visitors and encourage them to share their stories about how each place is distinctive and meaningful to them. Please follow their efforts on the web and on Facebook to find out how you can contribute to the project.
You can contact project coordinator Pat Longoria at plongoria@cayuga-heights.ny.us.
