The Finger Lakes region is chock-full of rich history and culture.
In this series I’m sharing with you all the firsts, important historical events, notable individuals, world records, and occasional quirky roadside attractions I come across in my explorations, organized by county.
Here are some fun facts about Wayne County. For random facts about the other 13 Finger Lakes counties, check here: Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Livingston, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Yates.
I know I’m only scratching the surface of all the cool things to know, so please tell me interesting facts to add! You can comment below or send me a message.
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Wayne County Basic Facts
Population: 91,283
County seat: Lyons
Origin of name: Anthony Wayne, general in the American Revolutionary War
Tourism site: waynecountytourism.com
Arcadia
Spiritualism movement
In the mid-19th century, the Fox Sisters of Hydesville (which no longer exists) became famous for being able to communicate with spirits through “rappings.” They later confessed to it being a hoax, but by that point, their public seances had already started the Spiritualism movement that has adherents to this day.
Finger Lakes-based author Jeanne Mackin explored the Fox Sisters’ story in a novel, The Sweet By and By.
Butler
Antoinette Brown
In 1853, Antoinette Brown became the first woman in the U.S. to be ordained as a minister (in the Congregational church of Butler). She married Samuel Blackwell, a brother of Elizabeth Blackwell (see Geneva, Ontario county).
Lyons
Peppermint Capital of the World
Lyons was for many years the Peppermint Capital of the World, thanks to the Hotchkiss Essential Oil Company, founded by Hiram Gilbert Hotchkiss in 1839 (in Phelps, then moved to Lyons). The oil made from wild peppermint plants was considered the purest in the world by experts in Hamburg, Germany. Find out more at the Peppermint Museum and celebrate with the Lyons Peppermint Days.
Palmyra
Joseph Smith
Founder of the Latter Day Saint movement Joseph Smith was born in Vermont in 1805 but grew up on the Smith Family Farm, which is in Wayne and Ontario counties. Key events of the religion took place in this area, including at Sacred Grove and on the Hill Cumorah. (Also check out the events at Peter Whitmer farm in Waterloo, Seneca County.)
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Yates County Fun Facts
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