HISTORY OF THE BLUFFS

From Glacier to Home...

Ten thousand year ago, Western New York's last glaciers melted into Lake Ontario, creating calm Irondequoit Bay from what was the wild Genesee River Basin. As the glacier melted, it created the unique carvings at the bay we call "The Bluffs." The rippled land remains virtually the same as it was when first sculpted by glaciers, but the history of the people who lived and visited here is rich and changing.

Artifacts found near "The Bluffs" tell us that wandering tribes of Algonquin Indians chose campsites in this area as early as 3000 to 2000 BC. Many centuries later, the more commonly known Iroquois Indians arrived and separated into distinct tribes: First the Mohawks, Onodagas, and Senecas; then the Oneidas and Cayugas; and later, the Tuscaroras. The Senecas, referred to as "keepers of the western door," settled in the Victor/Honeoye Falls area, but "The Bluffs" is documented as one of their favorite hunting and fishing camps.

The first white person to visit the area was the French explorer, LaSalle, who paddled into the outlet of the bay (at that time, located at the N.E. corner "The Bluffs") on August 10, 1669. He was seeking an inland water route to the west and, hopefully, China, and was convinced the route could be found along the south shore of Lake Ontario. Although he was unsuccessful in finding a route to China, he opened a vast new territory and trading area. By the shores near "The Bluffs," the French traded for beautiful furs which they sent to Paris to be tailored and sold to Europe's wealthy. In return for the furs, the Senecas received steel tools, kettles, eyeglasses, guns and brandy.

The English soon took advantage of the favorable trade opportunities and offered more in exchange for the furs to become the preferred trading partners. The French, wanting to regain control of this valuable fur trade, decided to destroy the Senecas. In July of 1687, Governor Denonville and his New France (Quebec) army landed on the sand bar across from "The Bluffs." While standing on the scenic overlook at "The Bluffs" you can almost imagine what the Senecas thought and felt, as they watched an army of 2000 men set up fort in the preparation of an attack on their village.

After sinking their canoes in the cove at "The Bluffs" (to prevent the sun from drying and opening up their seams), Denonville and his forces began a two week attack on the Senecas. Although they caused great destruction to the Seneca villages, they failed to crush the tribe and, instead, created a strong alliance between the English and the Senecas. Their relationship eventually left to the defeat of the French, the loss of their North American possessions, and the establishment of English dominance in the region. The campaign that started on the land viewed from "The Bluffs" contributed to the establishment of English as our native culture and language.

The English persisted in controlling the natural resources of the area and eventually secured a treaty deed from the Senecas in 1740. The deed transferred ownership of 200,000 acres, including most of Webster and "The Bluff" to King George II. But, soon, after the Revolutionary War, the Senecas regained the ultimate right of ownership. Then in 1788, the Senecas granted title to the sale of 6.25 million acres of New York land (from Lake Ontario to the Pennsylvania line and from Seneca Lake toward Buffalo including "The Bluffs") that we now refer to as the Phelps-Gorham purchase. Over the next 200 years, this parcel was subdivided hundreds of thousands of times, yet the land known as "The Bluffs" remained virtually undeveloped, as forest, farm and horse pasture.

Recognizing the uniqueness of this land, both for its historical significance and its spectacular location, John Casciani began negotiations in 1985 for three separate parcels and ultimately purchased in excess of 50 acres. The next exciting stage of history for "The Bluffs" awaits the 48 fortunate families who make "The Bluffs" their home.