Manlius in Onondaga County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Pompey Stone

— Legends & Lore —

August 11, 2018

1. Pompey Stone Marker

Inscription. 1800s prank believed true. Engraved "Leo de L'N VI 1520" as memorial for 1500s explorer. Found 1820 near this site. 1894 hoax revealed.

Erected 2017 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation and New York Folklore Society. (Marker Number 28.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Anthropology & Archaeology. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series list.

Location. 42° 56.373′ N, 75° 58.477′ W. Marker is in Manlius, New York, in Onondaga County. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3482 Watervale Road, Syracuse NY 13204, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Birthplace of Charles Mason (approx. 1.3 miles away); House c. 1835 (approx. 1.7 miles away); Site of Green's House (approx. 1.7 miles away); Indian Hill (approx. 2.1 miles away); a different marker also named Indian Hill (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Pompey Academy (approx. 3.3 miles away); Baptist Church (approx. 3.3 miles away); Roman Catholic Mission Church (approx. 3.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manlius.

Regarding Pompey Stone. The story behind the Pompey

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Stone spans nearly two centuries. In 1820, a local farmer Philo Cleveland reported finding the Stone when clearing his fields. The Stone, which is engraved “Leo De L’N VI 1520,” was believed for many years to be an authentic artifact from a Spanish explorer. In 1894, there were claims that two local men had doctored it in a blacksmith shop in nearby Oran, NY. The relic’s authenticity immediately fell into question and there’s been various stories about the hoax ever since. The field where the stone was found continues to be farmed to this day.

August 11, 2018

2. Pompey Stone Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2019, by Deryn Pomeroy of Syracuse, New York. This page has been viewed 454 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2019, by Deryn Pomeroy of Syracuse, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

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