This month we are heading to the summer resort Richfield Springs, New York.
Richfield Springs was known by the local Native America population as “Big Medicine Waters,” and the Oneida tribe called the sulphur springs “Ga-no-wan-ges” meaning “stinking water.”
A village formed around the springs in 1792, spreading from from the neighboring town of Ostego. Dr. Horace Manley is credited with making it a medicinal water spot in 1820. It quickly became a popular destination for locals and travelers to treat their ailments because of its beautiful scenery, fountains, and charming wildlife.
In 1909, the Otesaga Resort Hotel opened along Canadarago Lake offered a lavish place for people to stay during their visit. Today, the town is still active. The Otesaga Resort still stands along with tourists making their way into the town to listen to music at the original standing bandstand and taste water from the fountains that still run in town.
Sources:
“Cooperstown.” Website. https://www.thisiscooperstown.com/
Eddy, Karen Flanders. “Richfield Otsego County, New York.” Website. http://sites.rootsweb.com/~nyotsego/ric.htm
Richfield Springs. (Medical Trade Ephemera Collection) Historical Medical Library of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA.