Just mentioning the word “stagecoach” likely conjures up images of vintage western movies featuring desperate gangs of robbers holding up passengers, or a high-speed chase across the desert with Indians … Continue reading Riding the Stagecoach Along the Genesee
Early in the 19th century, as villages dotted the landscape along the Genesee River and Western New York, churches sprang up, and residents organized according to Protestant doctrinal persuasions—Presbyterian, Baptist, … Continue reading Scales, Shape Notes, and Singing Schools
Before Major Van Campen’s discharge from the army, he had one more significant encounter as an American soldier. In late summer of 1783, as he scouted the woodland trails in … Continue reading Moses Van Campen, Part III – Marriage, Family, & Public Service
PART TWO – Moses Van Campen could not finish the final weeks of Sullivan’s Campaign, which ended in October 1779. He was sent home to recover from “camp fever” in … Continue reading VAN CAMPEN FAMILY TRAGEDY AND PRISONER OF WAR
One of the Genesee’s most famous and colorful historical figures was Moses Van Campen of Angelica, New York. His long life was filled with incredible exploits and challenges in his … Continue reading Moses Van Campen: Revolutionary War Hero and Pioneer in the Genesee Country
A boulder on the Houghton University campus (formerly Houghton College) marks the final resting place of one of the Genesee’s legends, Copperhead. His identity was also disputed at one time, … Continue reading Copperhead, The Last Seneca in Caneadea
For those of us who grew up in the rolling hills of rural Western New York, locally sourced cheese and ice cream were staple treats. Cheese curds, extra-sharp cheddar, and … Continue reading It’s the Cheesiest! A Brief History of Cuba Cheese
As Independence Day approaches, we’re stepping back into the turbulent time of the Revolution. We’re so far removed from those days that the Boston Tea Party, the ride of Paul … Continue reading Our Independence Day
Many readers have likely enjoyed the beautiful Wiscoy Falls nestled in the Genesee River Valley between Fillmore and Portageville. Whether hiking, swimming, or fishing on the Wiscoy, the scenery is … Continue reading The Tale of Five Waterfalls—The Hamlet of Wiscoy, a/k/a Mixville
With the Erie Canal’s opening in 1825 and its success in moving goods and people across New York State, canal enthusiasm ran high. Western New York residents, with the support … Continue reading Genesee Valley Canal
Along the Genesee 