Near Castile in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Seh-Ga-Hun-Da
The Vale of the Three Falls
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
1. Seh-Ga-Hun-Da Marker
The land before you was called Seh-ga-hun-da, the Vale of the Three Falls. Upper Falls
At 70 feet high, the Upper Falls, is a deep horseshoe shape. The top of the falls is part of the strata named the Nunda Sandstone. Similar stone, known locally as Portage Bluestone, was quarried south of Portageville. In low water you may notice some concrete at the crest of the falls that was placed there in 1878 to slow erosion.
Middle Falls
The largest of the three falls, the Middle Falls, is 107 feet high and 285 feet wide. It has changed very little since Letchworth's time because of its many hard, resistant sandstones. The Senecas believed that the great beauty of Ska-ga-dee, the Middle Falls, inspired the sun to stop at midday in admiration.
Lower Falls
Around the bend downstream and out of view is the Lower Falls, which is constantly changing because the softer shales that dominate in the lower canyon erode easily. The harder caprock of the Lower Falls, known as Table Rock, forms dozens of waterfalls on tributaries throughout the park.
Erected by
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
2. Seh-Ga-Hun-Da Marker • wide view
(Middle Falls & Upper Falls in background)
(Middle Falls & Upper Falls in background)
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.
Location. 42° 35.287′ N, 78° 2.086′ W. Marker is near Castile, New York, in Wyoming County. Marker can be reached from Park Road 1½ miles south of Denton Corners Road (County Route 38). Marker is located along the Gorge Trail, at Inspiration Point, about 1.5 miles south of the Letchworth State Park Castile entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Castile NY 14427, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Hornby Lodge (a few steps from this marker); Pages of Geologic Time (within shouting distance of this marker); Genesee Valley Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); William Pryor Letchworth 1823 - 1910 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glacial History (about 400 feet away); First New York Dragoons. Volunteers. 1862-1865. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); First New York Dragoons / 136th New York Infantry (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castile.
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
3. Middle Falls & Upper Falls (view southwest from Marker)
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
4. Upper Falls, Letchworth State Park
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
5. Middle Falls, Letchworth State Park
By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
6. Lower Falls, Letchworth State Park
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 107 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 4, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
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