Chautauqua County

November 2 2017

A Very Lucy Tour of Jamestown

Chautauqua-Allegany Region Chautauqua County

by Chris Clemens Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown, New York, on August 6, 1911. Though her television persona on I Love Lucy would capture the hearts of Americans and her fame would bring her to live all over the country, her love for her Chautauqua County hometown never waned. Ball regularly visited her childhood […]

The Fairy Village Underfoot in Lily Dale, New York

Chautauqua-Allegany Region Chautauqua County, Lily Dale

by Chris Clemens Lily Dale, New York in Chautauqua County is known for being a bit of a magical place. First incorporated in 1879 as the Cassadaga Lake Free Association, the gated community has been home to Spiritualists since its inception. Visitors from all over make pilgrimage to Lily Dale in hopes of connecting with […]

This Day In Upstate History

1887 The Naphtha Disaster - When Naphtha fuel from the Vacuum Oil Works company seeped into the sewer system in the city of Rochester, it causes a series of explosions that rock the city. Three mills are destroyed, countless injuries and three deaths all are suffered as the fuel continued to burn throughout the day.

1892 Walter Hagen, professional golfer, ranked third behind Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus for number of majors, is born in Rochester.

2006 With a small crowd looking on, at 6:45p the "fast ferry" leaves Rochester for the last time, en route to its new owners.