Geneva

Founded: 1788
Population: 16,906 (c.2000)

The northern shores of Seneca Lake give way to one of the oldest and most renowned communities in Ontario County, Geneva NY. With its unique location (partially on a hillside) and sweeping views of the lake, the city is so reminiscent of its European counterpart that it is believed to be named after it.

Like many of the places in the Finger Lakes, Geneva can trace its origin back to the Seneca Indian Nation. It once served as a principal settlement named "Kanadesaga," which was later entirely destroyed by General John Sullivan in his famed expedition of 1779. Some of the very soldiers charged with annihilating the Indian village returned, years later, to construct a town of their very own. Before long, Geneva had the distinction of being the first Western New York community to have an official post office, dedicated church, glass factory, YMCA and free public library.

Architecture played a significant role in shaping Geneva's history. It was a symbol of the city's pioneering attitude and bestowed a benchmark for measuring its future economic prosperity. Some of the more prominent landmarks still on display include: the Smith Opera House (an 1894 Richardsonian-designed theater, built by philanthropist William Smith), Belhurst Castle (a three-story castle built in 1889 for Carrie Harron Collins, a descendant of presidential candidate Henry Clay) and the South Main Street district which includes: Pulteney Park (site of the original town square), Federal-style row houses (built between 1825 and 1850) and the Hobart College campus.

Geneva, once the Hub of the Finger Lakes, is again moving successfully forward. Prentice Hall recently named the City as one of The 100 Best Small Towns in America. It is just one of two communities in New York State to be listed in The Nationwide Guide to the Best in Small Town Living. Among its largest employers are: Guardian Industries (Flat Glass manufacturer), Seneca Foods (Processors of vegetables and sauerkraut) and Zotos International, Inc. (manufacturer of hair care products for professional beauty salons).

The Musselman Triathlon is held every summer in Geneva, NY. Click on the video below to view one man's race.

Did you Know?

1. Geneva is known as the "Lake Trout Capital of the World."
    
2. Elizabeth Blackwell made history as the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States. She received her degree from Geneva College (now Hobart College) in 1849.
    
3. Pete Rose started his professional career in Geneva, NY (as a member of the former NY Penn League Geneva Cubs).
    
4. Hobart College (Geneva) has a storied tradition in the sport of Lacrosse. Its men's Lacrosse team won a record 13 NCAA Division III championships, before moving up to the Division I-A level in 1994.
    
5. Between 1939 and 1943, Geneva marriages more than doubled. This phenomenon is credited to the influx of service men stationed at the Sampson Naval Training Station.

For more information got to Geneva Chamber's website and here for the City of Geneva or the Town of Geneva.