Ithaca in Tompkins County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Stream of Opportunities
Fall Creek has long attracted entrepreneurs, whether for industrial, recreational or educational purposes. Over the years, a succession of dams, mills and powerhouses have been constructed to harness the water power of its various falls. Investments made in and along the gorge during the last third of the nineteenth century capitalized on its scenic beauties, while subsequent improvements at Beebe Lake offered recreational opportunities. Cornell University made use of the stream to power and serve its instructional facilities, particularly those for the engineering colleges, then located a short distance south of the gorge.
Triphammer Falls, with nineteenth-century stairtower and bridge erected for the use of visitors to "The Ithaca Gorge."
Image courtesy of the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library
Hydraulic Laboratory, Cornell University, erected for the College of Civil Engineering in 1897-98 and enlarged in 1900-1901.
Image courtesy of The History Center in Tompkins County
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 42° 27.085′ N, 76° 28.904′ W. Marker is in Ithaca, New York, in Tompkins County. Marker is on Thurston Avenue north of University Avenue/Forest Home Drive, on the right when traveling north. On the bridge over Fall Creek. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: On the Cornell University campus, Ithaca NY 14853, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Redbud Woods (approx. half a mile away); Former Industry (approx. 0.6 miles away); Forest Home (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cornell University (approx. ¾ mile away); Simeon De Witt (approx. 0.8 miles away); Original Lane (approx. one mile away); Liberty Pole (approx. one mile away); Ithaca's First Fire Bell (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ithaca.
Also see . . . Fall Creek Gorge and Ithaca Falls. Finger Lakes website entry (Submitted on June 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 275 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 24, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.