Skaneateles (village), New York facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Skaneateles
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Shops on East Genesee Street, part of the Skaneateles Historic District (2012)
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Skaneateles village's location in Onondaga County and the county's location in the state of New York, both highlighted in red; other incorporated areas of the county highlighted in gray
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| .Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| County | Onondaga |
| Town | Skaneateles |
| Incorporated | 1833 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.74 sq mi (4.51 km2) |
| • Land | 1.42 sq mi (3.69 km2) |
| • Water | 0.32 sq mi (0.83 km2) 16.28% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,533 |
| • Density | 1,780.04/sq mi (687.18/km2) |
| ZIP Code |
13152
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| Area code(s) | 315 |
| FIPS code | 36-67510 |
Skaneateles (pronounced SKAN-ee-AT-ləs) is a beautiful village in Onondaga County, New York, United States. It's located right on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, which is one of the famous Finger Lakes. The village even gets its name from the lake! In 2020, about 2,533 people lived in Skaneateles.
Contents
Discovering Skaneateles History
Early Settlers and Growth
After the American Revolutionary War, many people started moving to the eastern Finger Lakes area in the 1790s. The powerful water from Skaneateles Lake's outlet made this spot perfect for building a community. It was once thought that John Thompson was the first settler. However, new research shows that Abraham A. Cuddeback arrived even earlier, in 1794.
Important roads helped Skaneateles grow. The old Genesee Road became the Seneca Turnpike in 1800. This road connected many towns like Utica and Auburn. The first bridge over Skaneateles Creek was built that same year. Another road, the Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike, opened in 1826. These roads made it much easier for people to travel to and from the new community. Isaac Sherwood, who founded the Sherwood Inn, even started a stagecoach line through Skaneateles.
Becoming a Village and Famous Residents
Skaneateles officially became a village in 1833. Right from the start, important people were drawn to live here. In 1803, William J. Vredenburgh, a big landowner from New York City, built a large house. Later, in 1839, Nicholas Roosevelt moved to Skaneateles. He was a famous inventor who built large steam engines.
That same year, Richard DeZeng, an engineer, also moved to a mansion on the lake. Another member of the Roosevelt family, Samuel Montgomery Roosevelt, later bought DeZeng's house. This house became known as Roosevelt Hall. Another beautiful home, the Reuel E. Smith House, was built in 1852. It was designed in the Gothic Revival style and is now a listed historic building.
A Welcoming Community
Many early residents, like James Canning Fuller, came from Great Britain. They were often part of the Quaker community in Skaneateles. This gave the village a diverse and interesting feel. James Fuller and his wife, Lydia, used their home as a station on the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people find freedom.
For over 200 years, Skaneateles has also been a popular place for visitors and tourists. In 1816, an excursion boat started offering rides on the lake. This was one of the very first commercial tourist activities in the Finger Lakes region!
Skaneateles Geography
Location and Size
The village of Skaneateles is located at the northern end of Skaneateles Lake. This area is part of the eastern Finger Lakes region. The village covers about 1.7 square miles in total. Most of this area, about 1.4 square miles, is land. The remaining 0.3 square miles is water, which is part of the lake.
Major Roads and Connections
The main road that goes through Skaneateles is U.S. Route 20. This road is also known as Genesee Street. It heads west towards Auburn. Skaneateles is also where NY Route 41 and NY Route 41A begin. Additionally, NY Route 321 ends in the village. These roads connect Skaneateles to other towns and cities.
People of Skaneateles
Population Over Time
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,409 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,669 | 18.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,559 | −6.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,495 | −4.1% | |
| 1910 | 1,615 | 8.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,635 | 1.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,882 | 15.1% | |
| 1940 | 1,949 | 3.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,331 | 19.6% | |
| 1960 | 2,921 | 25.3% | |
| 1970 | 3,055 | 4.6% | |
| 1980 | 2,789 | −8.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,724 | −2.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,616 | −4.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,450 | −6.3% | |
| 2020 | 2,533 | 3.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,450 people living in Skaneateles. These people lived in 1,094 households. About 674 of these households were families. The village had about 1,190 housing units in total.
Diversity and Age Groups
Most people in the village were White (97.84%). There were also small percentages of Black or African American, Asian, and people of two or more races. About 1.14% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The population included people of all ages. About 22.9% were under 18 years old. About 19.4% were 65 years old or older. The average age in the village was 48.1 years.
Income and Living Standards
In 2000, the average income for a household in Skaneateles was $77,456. For families, the average income was $117,788. The average income per person in the village was $49,957. A small number of families (3.31%) and people (6.20%) lived below the poverty line. Skaneateles is known for having many valuable homes. In 2006, 164 homes in the area were worth over a million dollars.
Fun Things to Do in Skaneateles
Village Downtown and Parks
The village has a small downtown area with shops and restaurants. This area is right next to the lake. There are three public parks by the lake where you can relax and enjoy the views. The main shopping streets are Genesee Street, Jordan Road, and Fennell Street. Genesee and Jordan streets are known for their older buildings. These buildings now house unique shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Fennell Street has more modern stores like a supermarket and pharmacies.
Activities and Events
Skaneateles offers many fun activities. You can take boat tours on the lake. There are also cozy inns, delicious restaurants, and spas. You can find unique items in the boutique shops and art galleries.
The village hosts exciting events throughout the year:
- The annual Skaneateles Festival brings amazing music to the village in the summer. Famous violinist Hilary Hahn played her first concerts here as a young girl.
- The Antique and Classic Boat Show displays beautiful old boats.
- During Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, actors in old-fashioned costumes perform on the streets.
Historic Places to See
Skaneateles has several buildings and areas listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These places are important because of their history and special architecture. Some of them include:
- Brook Farm
- Community Place
- James and Lydia Canning Fuller House
- Hazelhurst
- Kelsey–Davey Farm
- Skaneateles Historic District
- Reuel E. Smith House
Famous People from Skaneateles
Many interesting people have lived in Skaneateles, including:
- Frances Julia Barnes (1846–1920), a leader in the temperance movement.
- Harold Everett Porter (1887–1936), a short story writer known as 'Holworthy Hall'.
- Clara Cannucciari (1915–2013), a popular YouTube personality who shared cooking tips from the Great Depression.
- Barry Crimmins (1953–2018), a comedian, writer, and activist.
Images for kids
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An 1884 map of Skaneateles village.
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The Skaneateles Country Club (1887) on Skaneateles Lake.
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The Creamery, home to the Skaneateles Historical Society museum.
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The Skaneateles Library and John D. Barrow Art Gallery (1886–87), part of the Historic District.
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The Judge Ben Wiles tour boat sailing south on Skaneateles Lake.
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A Skaneateles Festival concert at the First Presbyterian Church.
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Boats on display at the 2007 Antique and Classic Boat Show.
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A gazebo in Clift Park, a lovely spot by the lake.
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See also
In Spanish: Skaneateles (villa) para niños
