Canawaugus, New York facts for kids
Canawaugus (also called Conawagus or Conewaugus) was an important Seneca Indian village. Its name, which sounds like "kan-uh-WAW-gus," means "stinking waters." This name came from the nearby sulphur springs, which had a strong smell. The village was located in what is now Caledonia, New York, on the west side of the Genesee River. It was also very close to the sulphur springs near Avon, New York.
Canawaugus was one of the largest Seneca villages. At its peak, nearly 1,000 people lived there.
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Who Lived in Canawaugus?
Many important Seneca leaders were born or lived in Canawaugus.
Famous Seneca Leaders
- Handsome Lake was a very important Seneca religious leader. He was born in Canawaugus around 1735.
- Governor Blacksnake was another notable Seneca leader. He moved to Canawaugus shortly after he was born.
- Cornplanter was a respected Seneca chief. He was born in the village around 1750.
Canawaugus and Its History
The village of Canawaugus played a role in the history of the Seneca people and their lands.
Was Canawaugus Destroyed?
In 1779, there was a military campaign called the Sullivan Expedition. It is not clear if Canawaugus village was destroyed during this expedition.
Canawaugus Reservation Lands
In 1797, the Treaty of Big Tree was signed. This treaty allowed the Seneca tribe to keep 11 reservations, and Canawaugus was one of them. However, in 1826, the Seneca tribe sold the Canawaugus reservation to a company called the Ogden Land Company.
The Seneca Nation of Indians believes that this sale was not legal. They say that a sale of reservation land would have needed to be approved by the United States Senate through a treaty. Because this did not happen, they claim the Canawaugus reservation was never officially closed.
Later, the Ogden Land Company bought more Seneca lands in 1838. But in 1842, some lands were returned to the Seneca Nation, including the Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Oil Spring reservations.
Reclaiming Canawaugus Land
In December 2022, the Seneca Nation of Indians bought back a small piece of land (about 1.8 acres) that was once part of the original Canawaugus reservation. They declared that this land was now under their own rule, continuing the history of the original reservation.
