Silver Lake Institute Historic District near Perry in Wyoming County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Sea Serpent Legend

Legends & Lore

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, October 21, 2024

1. Sea Serpent Legend Marker

Inscription. In 1855, inspired by tales of Silver Lake Beast, local hotelier built and launched a mechanical sea serpent to startle and entice visitors.

Erected 2024 by William G. Pomeroy Foundation, New York Folklore. (Marker Number 166.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation Legends & Lore Series series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 42° 42.047′ N, 78° 1.379′ W. Marker is near Perry, New York, in Wyoming County. It is in the Silver Lake Institute Historic District. It is on Lakeview Road, on the right when traveling south. Located across the road from the Silver Lake Institute building, near the intersection of Lake and Wesley Roads. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Perry NY 14530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Western New York,

and in the Finger Lakes.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Assembly Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Bishop William Burt (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Camp Wesley (about 600 feet away); Auditorium / Amphitheater (about 600

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feet away); Epworth Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pioneer Cabin (approx. half a mile away); Silver Meadows Farm (approx. 1.4 miles away); Silver Lake Mills of Perry (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perry.

Also see . . .
1. The Legend of the Silver Lake Sea Serpent (Go Wyoming). (Submitted on October 24, 2024, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York.)
2. Sea Serpent Legend (William G. Pomeroy Foundation). Excerpt:

In 1855, the owner of the local Walker Hotel concocted a scheme to entice more guests to board at his establishment. Taking inspiration from local stories attributed to the Seneca Nation about a large slug-like monster that once lived in Silver Lake and perished after a thunderstorm, the hotel owner and a group of his friends secretly designed and built an elaborate serpent using wire, painted canvas, and bellows. They floated their creation in Silver Lake and used the bellows and attached hoses to make the monster rise and fall in the water.

After releasing the monster during a few moonlit evenings to frighten fishermen and residents, the hoax worked to create a widespread rumor about a sea serpent living in Silver Lake, despite this not being a sea. News spread and people came to get a glimpse of the creature. The hoax lasted
Photographed by Bruce Kelly, October 21, 2024

2. Sea Serpent Legend Marker
Looking south on Lakeview Rd
until 1857, when Mr. Walker’s hotel burned, and the charred remains of the creature were discovered.

(Submitted on October 24, 2024, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York.)

Photographed by Bruce Kelly, October 21, 2024

3. Sea Serpent Legend Marker

Looking north - Lakeview Rd

Credits. This page was last revised on October 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2024, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. This page has been viewed 464 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 24, 2024, by Bruce Kelly of Perry, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.