Facing Floods - Traverse Tompkins

In 1857, 1901, 1935, 1954, 1972, and 1981 the area was devastated by floods that destroyed property and threatened (and took) lives and livelihoods.

*This tour was developed by The History Center in Tompkins County in 2022 as part of their annual Traverse Tompkins fundraiser**

Tompkins County has suffered several major floods throughout its history. Situated in New York’s Finger Lakes region, its many creeks and streams, (and Cayuga Lake itself), pose considerable threats during and after heavy rainfalls. In 1857, 1901, 1935, 1956, 1972, and 1981 the area was devastated by floods that destroyed property and threatened (and took) lives and livelihoods. In 1857 every bridge over Six Mile Creek in Ithaca was destroyed. In 1935 the small village of Trumansburg suffered five deaths and more than $700,000 in damages, a horrific toll that required state and federal relief assistance and took months to recover from. These and other devastating flood sites from around Tompkins County are included on this tour.

Traverse Tompkins 2022: Facing Floods was proudly supported by SERVPRO of Tioga and Tompkins Counties. Their investment in local history across Upstate New York lifts up communities after tragedies like major flooods (or fires - our Traverse Tompkins 2021 theme!).

Learn more about our annual Traverse Tompkins fundraiser at thehistorycenter.net/traverse-tompkins.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTES ABOUT THIS TOUR:

This tour is recommended as a driving tour, or for avid cyclists.

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This tour and the lands it encompasses take place in the traditional and contemporary lands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫˀ Nation (Cayuga), one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Learn more at thehistorycenter.net/land-acknowledgement.

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Tour research & content developed by The History Center in Tompkins County in 2022. Images from the Tompkins County Flood Photographs Collection, held by The History Center inTompkins County, and the Ithaca Journal Archives.