Until Vescelius Hall burned in 1913, it was a center of shopping, Masonic activity and social functions like the production featured on this program announcement.Vescelius Hall (courtesy of Mark Hall)The wooden structure, with its slate covered mansard roof was built on the northeast corner of Main and East Seneca Streets by prominent resident Casper B. Vescelius in 1872.

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.

Winter Freeze

In a diary she began in 1875, Fannie Miller of Lodi wrote the following entries about her family's enjoyment of the 1912 freeze of Seneca Lake.

 

Feb. 11 - "Lake freezing over. Charlie Galloup came near falling in."

Feb. 14 - "Nice day, wind blows from South. Harry and Nell and Nina and Jim down to the lake. Harry went across twice, Nina once. Great hustling around for skates. Nice sleighing, people going down by sleighloads to see the ice."