Near Castile in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hornby Lodge
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
1. Hornby Lodge Marker
Across the gorge from this spot the builders of the Genesee Valley Canal were faced with a ridge of rock that obstructed the proposed route. In 1838, Elisha Johnson of Rochester obtained the contract to tunnel 1,200 feet through the solid blockade.
Johnson built a log cabin above the tunnel section to serve as his family home and as his headquarters. He called his three-story house Hornby Lodge. Built around a huge oak tree, the house had a central octagonal room, which Johnson decorated with rustic furniture and taxidermy specimens.
The tunnel idea failed. The imposing cliff was blasted away and the lodge was removed in 1849. The canal was abandoned by 1878 and replaced by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Although nothing remains of the lodge today, the canal's path can be followed along trail #7.
Erected by Letchworth State Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 42° 35.281′ N, 78° 2.074′ 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Seh-Ga-Hun-Da (a few steps from this marker); Pages of Geologic Time (within shouting distance of this marker); William Pryor Letchworth 1823 - 1910 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Genesee Valley Canal (about 300 feet away); Glacial History (about 400 feet away); First New York Dragoons. Volunteers. 1862-1865. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Parade Grounds picnic area (approx. ¼ mile away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Castile.
Also see . . .
1. Elisha Johnson. Wikipedia entry:
Johnson moved to Rochester in 1817 and purchased 80 acres of land on the east bank of the Genesee. Johnson built a horse railroad to Carthage by the Lower Falls of the Genesee and was the chief engineer and contractor of the Tonawanda Railroad. Johnson became the mayor of Rochester in 1838 and came up with a plan for the construction of a water works through the village that was rejected by the Common Council. At the end of his term Johnson became an engineer for the Genesee Valley Canal and moved to Portageville, New York, where he built the Hornby Lodge. (Submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Hornby Lodge at Portage Falls
2. Genesee Valley Canal. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 28, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
3. Letchworth State Park. New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation website entry (Submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
3. Hornby Lodge Marker • wide view
(Genesee River Gorge in background)
(Genesee River Gorge in background)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2017
4. Genesee River Gorge (view from marker)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 390 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 3, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
