Wyckoff Mill (courtesy of Mark Brown)

Mill Creek flows into Seneca Lake about a half mile south of the present Lodi Marine State Park. An extensive flood plain extends to the east, where Silver Thread Falls roars 125 feet into a majestic waterfall. The falls have been a wonder of nature in its splendor, and a landmark, since discovered by early settlers.

For many years, Silver Thread Falls was a popular tourist attraction. During the years of boat travel on Seneca Lake, day excursions would bring hikers intent on visiting the falls, compared with Niagara Falls as a scenic wonder. Guests at The Willows, the hotel at Lodi Landing, also made picnic trips to visit the falls.

Fossenvue:

SUMMERS’ MEMORIES, THE LATE 1800S

By Carolyn Zogg

One hundred twenty-nine years ago, this July, a group of friends from GFossenvue E.S. Millereneva, looking for a good time for their summer vacation, hit upon the idea of camping, and set about fulfilling their plan.

Townsend HotelA banner hung from the balcony of todays Eagle Hotel announces that hunters are welcome. Nothing said hunters were welcome quite like this photo of a 1964 gathering of deer hunters and their trophies at what was then the Townsend Hotel, operated by Webb Ganoung, Mike McLaughlin and Pete Close. This auto is a 1963 Ford and the photographer is unknown.

(courtesy of Bob and Joan Covert)

Porter homeOne of three large houses built by James and Charles Caywood, around 1900, has been purchased and renovated by James and Patricia Pellegrini. Located at the corner of State Rt. 414 and Caywood Road, the house was home for Elmer J. Porter and his wife, Mary DeBuyscr Porter, and their family before it was sold to the Pellegrinis. The couple is set to open the doors of their home to bed and breakfast guests in March. The est

The June 6, 1965 edition of The Elmira Telegram published a full-page feature on the Town of Lodi. At the center of photos and an article titled "Lodi: Peaceful Landmark" was an essay by Darwin Smith, titled "Why I'm Proud of Lodi." He lovingly wrote of growing up as a third generation member of a farming family residing on Smith Road and of Lodi's resistance to "progress." The following is part of Smith's essay:

"Through my window I can see the ever-changing face of Seneca Lake, where as a small boy I watched the last of the steamboats as they plowed through the waters, and where today only the decaying pilings are left to remind one of their former points of call."