Allegany State Park
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and established in 1921, Allegany is the largest in the New York State Parks system. Its 65,000 acres features primitive forested valleys, un-glaciated landscape, fall foliage, wildlife and extensive recreational facilities. Until 1797, Western New York was the domain of the Seneca Indians. Quaker missionaries first arrived in the area in 1798 at the invitation of Seneca Chief Cornplanter. In 1803 the Quakers purchased land and established a farm at Tunesassa, later known as Quaker Run. They first established a formal school in this area around 1816 and established the Friends Boarding School for Indian Children in 1848.Lumbering and its associated industries were the primary occupations of the first settlers in the park. The 1860’s saw the beginning of the second most important industry in this region -- oil and gas. In 1865 Job Moses completed the first commercial oil well in New York State on lands that are now part of Allegany State Park (near Limestone). The Kinzua Dam, located south of the Finger Lakes Trail and the New York-Pennsylvania border, was constructed in 1965 on the Allegheny River in Pennsylvania. It was originally proposed to help mitigate flooding in Pittsburgh, 200 miles downriver, but the 27-mile reservoir that formed behind it inundated vast tracts of the Seneca Indians’ ancestral lands, forcing their removal in breach of the United States’ oldest treaty then in effect. A 2017 documentary, "Lake of Betrayal", recounts the Seneca Nation's fight against the dam to protect their sovereignty.Info from the Finger Lakes Trail ConferenceInfo from NYS DECFLT Map M1
Seneca Iroquois National Museum
The Seneca Iroquois National Museumhouses an extensive collection of Hodinöhsö:ni’ historical and traditionally designed decorative and every-day-use items and archaeological artifacts. The museum, along with the Seneca Nation Archives Department, are the safe keepers of historical documents, including articles, special publications, historical and family photographs and various multi-media productions regarding the Onöndowa’ga:’ and Hodinöhsö:ni’.The museum offers historical and cultural exhibitions and events, supports the work of indigenous artists, and provides online resources for learning and study.Visitor informationFLT Map M2
Salamanca Area Historical Society
The Salamanca Historical Society and Museum is housed in the restored Salamanca Trust Company bank building. Built in 1882, it became the home of the Historical Society and Museum in 2002. The museum complements the town's Seneca-Iroquois Museum and the railroad museum by focusing on the city's development and local industry in glass, timber, and small-scale manufacturing.Visitor informationFLT Map M2
Salamanca Rail Museum
The Salamanca Rail Museum is a fully restored passenger depot constructed in 1912 by the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway. Artifacts, photographs and video offer a glimpse into an era over 90 years ago, when rail was the primary means of transportation from city to city. From the brick-walled baggage room to the multi-windowed "Ladies Retiring Room," everything in the building is either a restored original or an exact duplicate based on the original architectural plans. Admission is free; donations are appreciated.Seasonal hours; check the museum's Facebook page.FLT Map M2
Bucktooth State Forest
Old forestry records show that the 2,248-acre Bucktooth State Forest featured timber when the state purchased the property, unlike most old farms purchased during that era. Stands appear to be even aged so most of this forest was cleared at some time. Later inspection showed that many of these mature stands appeared to have been "high graded." High grading is selective cutting that removes the best trees and leaves the rest of the poorer quality stems to grow. Evidence of what may have been a small logging camp was found which suggests that much of this area was subject to this type of cutting in the past. An older stand near Bailey Hollow has been retained and still shows the result of this type of cutting. Most of these types of stands have either been blown down and salvaged or been clear cut and regenerated. Due to the rocky nature of the soils on this property only a few areas appear to have been plowed.In the 1930s Bucktooth State Forest was the site of many work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the depression. CCC projects included the construction of roads and the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees in the open areas on the property.Information from the NYS DECLearn about the history of New York's state forestsFLT Map M2
Rock City State Forest
The area around "Little Rock City" tells the geologic history of Western New York. The conglomerate rock is younger and very different than the bedrock in Western New York. During the late Devonian period (circa 370 million years ago) this area was on the shore of an ancient sea. Here, streams flowing from the Acadian Mountains in what is now New England and New Jersey mixed with the sea. Sediment was transported by the streams and deposited by the sea currents. Occasionally, a red Jasper stone can be found among the conglomerate. According to the Theory of Continental Drift, all of North America was rotated 450 degrees clockwise during the Devonian period; meaning Lake Superior would have been due northwest of this area. This would allow sea currents to transport the Jasper pebbles into this area.Over time the conglomerate was buried under thousands of feet of sedimentary rock, similar to that of Allegany State Park in Pennsylvania. The overlying rock was then eroded during the Alleghanian Orogeny, or mountain building, which uplifted Eastern North America (circa 290 million years ago). It was this event, resulting from the collision of North America and Africa, which formed the supercontinent Pangaea. Over time, erosion released pressure allowing the conglomerate to expand and crack. These cracks, called joints, along with joints formed by horizontal compression during orogeny itself, resulted in two sets of intersecting perpendicular lines which, through weathering, widened to become the pathways separating the blocks.Info from the NYS DECFLT Map M2
McCarty Hill State Forest
The 794-acre McCarthy Hill State Forest focuses on rustic experiences with a limited amount of development. Today, McCarthy Hill and all state forests in New York are managed for multiple benefits to serve the needs of the people of New York. Sustainable management practices will ensure a perpetual supply of timber, a diversity of wildlife habitats, compatible recreational opportunities and clean water.New York's Southern Tier encompasses a wide variety of habitats and landscapes made up of mountainous hills, forests, grasslands and wetlands. Everything from black bear to black-throated blue warblers and brook trout to wild turkey call the Southern Tier of New York home. The grasslands are home to a variety of bird species including northern harrier and state endangered Henslow's sparrow. White-tailed deer and fisher thrive in the forested hills, while beaver and mink flourish in the wetlands. Visitors from across New York State flock to this area year round for its exquisite wildlife watching and unbeatable hunting.More infoLearn more about the history of New York's state forestsFLT Map M3
Holiday Valley Resort
The Holiday Valley ski area opened during the winter of 1957-58 and today has grown into a resort with 60 slopes and trails as well as base lodges, hotels and moreDoc Northrup and Karl Fahrner started the first organized skiing in Ellicottville on Fish Hill in 1935. The Ellicottville Ski Club was formed in 1938 and enthusiasts began to flock to Ellicottville from Buffalo, Rochester and Cleveland. The Lincoln Hotel, now the Ellicottville Inn, was a popular gathering spot. A rope tow was built on Greer Hill. In 1956 Dick Congdon, John Fisher and Bill Northrup decided to pursue their dream of opening a larger, modern ski area. Shares of stock were sold for $100 from a card table in the parking lot in 1956. On January 7, 1958 the first skiers rode a T-bar up to ski down Yodeler, Champagne, Holiday Run and Edelweiss.Learn more.FLT Map M3
Ellicottville Historical Museum and Historic District
The Ellicottville Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991 and includes some 63 structures related to public and private village life from 1817 to 1935. The district features Queen Anne, federal, and Greek revival styles of architecture.The museum is open seasonally from June until the beginning of September. View info.FLT Map M3
First frame house in Ellicottville, historic marker
This historic marker indicates the site of the first frame house in Ellicottville, dating back to 1817. It was the site of early county court hearings and meetings of the board of supervisors.FLT Map M3
Boyce Hill State Forest
The 971-acre Boyce Hill State Forest was mostly farmland and open fields. A house and barn was located at the end of Jackson Forest Road, near the present turn around. An adjacent homestead was located near a natural spring lined with stone that still exists today. According to map records and existing evidence, there were two other houses with barns located along Bryant Hill Road and Phillips Road. In addition, natural gas lines that predate state ownership cross the property.Info from NYS DECLearn more about the history of New York's state forestsFLT Map M4
Bear Creek State Forest
The 547-acre Bear Creek State Forest is a popular hunting, hiking, snowmobiling and horseback riding destination.Because there were a number of stream crossings on Bear Creek Road that were difficult to maintain, that road was replaced by the Upper Bear Creek Road. The old road was abandoned and is now part of the state forest. Only the western end still exists as a haul road.This property was mostly farm land at one time. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) carried out a number of projects at Bear Creek State Forest. The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the Great Depression. Projects included the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees and a small number of oak trees in the open areas on the property, which still exist today.Info from NYS DECLearn more about the history of New York's state forestsFLT Map M4
