Parks and Picnic
Grounds
For over 171 years, Long Point Park on
Conesus Lake in Geneseo, New York, is where people went and brought
their children to picnic, play, and celebrate for generations. Long
Point Park is rich in history, nostalgia, and memories with
activities that have been unique, historic, and diverse while
attracting people from around the country.
The Wadsworths of
Geneseo
Col. Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743-1804) of
Hartford, Connecticut was one of the wealthiest and most influential
men of the post-Revolutionary War era. In 1788, he made the arduous
trip to the Genesee Country to judge its worth, finding it richer
than he ever imagined. After purchasing more than 200,000 acres along
the Genesee River, Col. Wadsworth offered his young cousins, brothers
James and William Wadsworth, 2000 acres of prime farmland in and
around what would be Geneseo. The Wadsworth brothers acquired
thousands more acres, becoming the largest landowners in Western New
York. James and William were known far and wide for their
philanthropy and innovative farming methods. This prominent family
remains synonymous with the Genesee Valley to the present day.
Long Point
In 1844, when James Wadsworth died, he
wanted to honor his brother William by dedicating over 25 acres of
land on Conesus Lake to become what we now know as Long Point Cove
and Long Point. In Colonel James A. McPherson's Conesus Lake
Transportation Co. booklet from 1883, it is noted that James
Wadsworth dedicated Long Point Grove as "a public picnic grounds
for all time in memory of his 1790 2nd encampment at Lakeville en
route to 'Big Tree' Geneseo from Canandaigua".
In the mid 1800s, railroads appeared
almost overnight, and amusement parks built along those lines
flourished. This process marked the dawn of the American amusement
park industry. By 1899, 250 parks operated throughout the nation.
Six years later, this number grew to 700. By 1920, more than 1,500
amusement parks bustled with a novel brand of family entertainment
that included live concerts, vaudeville performances, and concessions
within an attractively landscaped park. Long Point Park was part of
this nationwide trend.
flourished. This process marked the dawn of the American amusement
park industry. By 1899, 250 parks operated throughout the nation.
Six years later, this number grew to 700. By 1920, more than 1,500
amusement parks bustled with a novel brand of family entertainment
that included live concerts, vaudeville performances, and concessions
within an attractively landscaped park. Long Point Park was part of
this nationwide trend.
By the spring of 1882,
excursions to Long Point were promoted by the Erie Railway Railroad
and Conesus Lake Railroad Company. The trains would arrive at the
Conesus Lake Station in Lakeville and thenthe boats and steamboats (like the McPherson later renamed Starrucca) would transport passengers to destinations on Conesus Lake including Long Point and McPherson Point. Often, so great were the attractions of Conesus Lake and her mighty steamboats that the trains would have to run in two shifts consisting of 15 to 21 train passenger cars each.
The park became a destination location
for people across western New York, often bringing crowds of over
10,000 people per day. In 1901, 20,000 people gathered at Long Point
Park to attend the Livingston County Picnic there. Picnics with
amusements like Merry-Go-Rounds have been documented at Long Point
since 1896. Other rides such as the Helter Skelter (which was a
curved slide, also referred to as the Cyclone House), Shoot the
Chutes, a huge Toboggan Slide (built by the Town of Geneseo in 1886),
and the Razzle-Dazzle (a giant pyramid like a teeter totter), were a
few of the early rides at Long Point.
These amusements and picnic facilities
attracted families from across New York State, helping Long Point to
be recognized as the "first picnic ground in New York State"
in 1906. In July 1906, The Livonia Gazette had an advertisement for
the Erie Railway Railroad which stated “Long Point, a complete
picnic resort, twenty acres of beautiful grove and acknowledged to be
the first picnic grounds in the State, has been equipped with every
convenience essential to entertaining large excursions. Good ball
grounds, pavilions, Toboggan slide, Helter-Skelter, Circle Swing,
Merry-Go-Round, etc. Church and society excursions are furnished a
free stove, dishes, tables, benches, etc. Special trains will be run
from Rochester connecting with the large, new, commodious steamer
Conesus which carries 1,000 people and was built especially for
handling large excursions. Special rates for excursions
parties...call on Erie agent of address, H. T. Jaeger, general agent
passenger department, Buffalo.”
So
popular was tourism to Conesus Lake that in 1891 presented before
STATE OF NEW YORK, EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, ALBANY, MARCH 25 1891. An
Assembly bill, introductory No. 51. entitled; an act to authorize
Edward L. Thomas to establish and maintain a ferry across Conesus
Lake from Long Point on the west side of said lake to McPherson Point
on the east side of the same. But it is herewith returned without
approval suggesting it should have been the County's matter by Gov
David B. Hill. In 1895, an Electric Railway was even considered by
the citizens of Geneseo to be built from the village to Long Point
Park. (Livingston Democrat May 9, 1906).
Ice was harvested on Conesus Lake which
helped make Conesus Ice Cream that was sold at Long Point Park as one
of the refreshments for families to enjoy. Conesus Ice Cream was
marketed in Rochester, New York and also sold at Silver Lake, New
York.
By 1910, Miles Woodruff and his wife
Kathryn were the Manager/Leasee of Long Point Park and the
Long Point Hotel/House/Inn. Harry and Margaret Berry
worked with him. Mr. Berry was a stationary steam engineer in
Rochester before relocating to Long Point. He had come to Long Point
with a partner to operate a carousel arriving via a steamboat at
Lakeville Dock. They stayed in the Cobblestone House south of the
driveway entering the park (which was the Long Point Hotel and
Wadsworth home before that).
Senator James W .Wadsworth, Jr. funded
the building
of the Conesus Lake
Life Saving Corps. Station No 1 in partnership with the American Red
Cross and Geneseo Normal School in 1923. This was the First
Life saving station built and fitted in corporation with the American Red Cross in Livingston County NY on Conesus Lake. Present research is leading us to believe that this station is possibly the First
life saving station corp built in corporation with the American Red Cross in the United States!
Also in 1923 the new large Dance Hall was built that
brought in nationally known bands from across the country. It was
the largest Dance Hall in the area. In 1949 the dance hall was
adapted to become a popular roller skating rink.
A
friend of the Wadsworth Family, Col Nathan Shiverick, had an idea of
a military training camp which they experimentally ran at Long Point
Park in 1922.
Camp Wadsworth was
established to train US Army Reserve officers (referred
to as the R.O.T.C. - Reserve Officer's Training Camp) from
the Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany areas. The land was divided off
from the picnic grounds and the dance hall area (between the creek
and the Cobblestone Cottage). The Camp continued operating until
1941, when it was ended because of World War ll.
Camp Wadsworth became the first and last operational “Contact
Camp” in the United States.
Over time, more features were added or
improved to make the north end of the park more family friendly, such
as improved concessions, a new Picnic Pavilion, and a miniature golf
course. Carl Johnston came to Long Point in 1931 as an
Auditor/Accountant, and he later became an Assistant Manager for
Harry and Margaret Berry who were managing and leasing the land from
the Wadsworths. During 1931 shuffleboard , archery, and the
miniature golf course were added at Long Point along with later
addition of a Chair-plane, Shooting Gallery and Miniature Gasoline
Vehicles. The beer tent eventually became the beer
garden and was improved by Carl Johnston.
Harry Berry started offering free
lifesaving & swimming classes with trained lifeguards in 1924. A
large float was anchored offshore for more experienced swimmers to
enjoy. Colonel Tooey operated his motorboats for excursions and ran
a ferry service to McPherson Point from Long Point Park.
Long Point's miniature golf course was
greatly improved and renovated in 1942 and again in the 1960s. The
park operated during the first two years of World War II, but as more
and more local workers were drafted, the pleasure transportation was
stopped, and closing was the only option. To support the war effort,
Long Point Park was closed from 1943 to 1945.
Post World War II
The 1940s and 1950s marked a time of
steady growth for Long Point, growth that grew on the success of
another Upstate New York business: The Allan Herschell Co. Inc.
Herschell manufactured carousels and other rides as early as 1883 in
Tonawanda, NY. By 1945, this Buffalo area manufacturer had become
the largest manufacturer of amusement rides in the world.
In 1946, Long Point Navigation Company,
formerly Tooey's Boat Lines, consisted of three speed boats that
reestablished a regular ferry service to McPherson Point. In 1949,
Stephen and Irene LaGrou came to Long Point, bringing with them a
Carousel/Merry-Go-Round
with a pair of white goats. And soon thereafter, the Kiddie Speed
Boat Ride was added to the children and parent's delight.
In 1950, Stephen LaGrou added the
Tilt-a-Whirl, Little Dipper Roller Coaster, Rocket Ride, Kiddie
Sky-fighter Ride, and Assorted Kiddie Rides from the The Allan
Herschell Co. Business was so good that a new and larger carousel
was purchased for $14,250 in 1950. A carousel/merry-go-round has
been the center point for Long Point Park as far back as 1896. In
1959, the Rocket Ride was sold and replaced with the Scrambler Ride
in 1962. In 1958, John LaGrou brought
a 1921 Big Eli Grand Mount Ferris Wheel built by the ELI Bridge
Company to Long Point Park.
John and Alice LaGrou purchased the
leasing rights/operations of the Park from Carl
Johnston upon his retirement in 1967. John LaGrou
officially took over operations on January 1, 1968.
The
multiple activities in the park complimented each other and provided
something for everybody who came to Long Point Park. Some of the
family could go get refreshments, ice cream or experience the
infamous French Fried Potatoes with a splash of malt vinegar or
ketchup. While others enjoyed putting on the Miniature Golf, taking
a spin in the Roller Skating Rink or go for an excursion boat ride.
The children could ride the rides while Mom and Dad could enjoy
refreshments while socializing at the Beer Garden. Others could try
their skill at Penny Arcade-Shooting Gallery, SKEE BALL, FIVE-O,
3-IN-A- LINE, Balloon Darts or have their picture taken in the Photo
Booth. In the late 1940s and early 1950s you could watch a movie
under the stars projected on to the back of the Concession House.
All these things made some wonderful memories which continue to be
passed on to future generations.
There was no admission fee, so you
could go for one ride or spend the entire afternoon at the park. The
locals enjoyed this park because you could bring your family there at
a reasonable price, and ride all kinds of rides, and get something to
eat while being in a family-friendly environment. It was also
convenient to not have to travel a considerable distance to have an
enjoyable and memorable afternoon or evening. It really became part
of people’s lives to come out and spend a day at the park or go
bathing/swimming. Additionally, the Livingston County Sheriff's
Department began having their annual springtime Ball/Dance at the
dance hall in 1949. Later, in 1959, they also began the Annual
Kiddies Days, where buses would transport thousands of children from
all over Livingston County to spend the morning or afternoon riding
all the rides and enjoying a free hot dog, drink and ice cream.
Another popular event was the annual
Coca-Cola or “Coke” Days whereas you could get discounts on
rides, food/drink, and boat excursions by bringing Coca-Cola bottle
caps to use as money. The Anderson Coca-Cola Company in Dansville
provided raffles and prizes.
Long Point Park was the kind of park
that you could bring your family to and feel safe. The activities
and fun created memories that were shared for generations. It was a
wholesome park for young and older children and families. The park
became known for inexpensive, clean, fun, family entertainment that
was close to home. It became a part of the local fabric and was known
for decades as the “Playground of the Genesee Country”.
Long Point Park was still being leased
out until Reverdy Wadsworth's sudden death in 1970. On November 2,
1973, Mr. and Mrs. John LaGrou purchased the park from the Wadsworth
Estate.
On
May 26, 1976 the “Memorabilia Building” was officially opened at
Long Point Park. An amazing project initiated by the Conesus Lake
Association with permission of John and Alice LaGrou to convert the
first enclosed Dance Hall building of 1898 into a temporary museum in
celebrating the Bicentennial. The east side of the building was
filled with historical antiques, treasured items and pictures. It
attracted over 10,000 visitors in the five months it was open that
summer. The building of itself has an amazing and rich history. In
1898 it was built as the first enclosed Dance Hall when Matthew Tooey
was Manager/Leasee and in 1923 it was converted into a Bathhouse for
Camp Wadsworth's Officers. After WW ll it housed the BINGO Game until
1951 when the game was outlawed by the Johnston Act. Then it was used
by Jim Meagher the “Carnival Barker” for the FIVE-O Game until it
moved to the new Roller Rink/Dance Hall in 1958 . The building was
used for storage until it became the “Memorabilia Building” for
the Bicentennial. Currently the SUNY Geneseo Crew Team uses the
building for their activities.
Throughout the sunny days and warm
moonlit nights on Conesus Lake, many people were able to share a ride
on the carousel, or hold hands during couples roller skating. Lore
and Vince DiSalvo (Honorary Long Point Historians) came together
after roller skating at Long Point.
The Fire
On July 23, 1988, a fire devastated
Long Point Park, destroying many of the buildings.
The Roller Skating Rink /Dance Hall with the attached structures
housing the FIVE-0 and SKEE BALL Games were destroyed. Sadly the
historic Concessions House of 1880 with attached Arcade-Shooting
Gallery was partially burned but the entire structure had to be
razed. Thankfully the amusement rides escaped the fire and they were
sold by auction in 1990.
Without fire insurance, the LaGrou
family could not afford to rebuild the park. John and Alice were
planning to retire and had received an offer from a land developer.
Instead, the LaGrou family was able to negotiate to sell the land to
the Town of Geneseo. The town saw that this park was
valuable to the community, as the last public access to Conesus Lake
on West Lake Road (with other access points at Vitale Park on the
north end, and the boat launch on the east side), and the only
permitted location for the general public to swim was Long Point
Park. Thankfully, through the efforts of Geneseo's Town Supervisor,
Walter Kingston Jr., the town was able to establish Long Point as a
public park and to preserve public access on the west side of Conesus
Lake.
On June 1, 1990, the LaGrous
transferred the property to the town of Geneseo. Sadly, John and
Alice LaGrou and family had to bid a fond farewell to the park that
two generations of their family helped to create over the last 41
years. Because of their devotion and the devotion of those before
them, so many people young and old still have treasured memories.
Many thanks go to Walter Kingston Jr., John and Alice LaGrou, the
Town of Geneseo, Hop Manapol, and all who supported the efforts to
keep Long Point Park a public park for others to enjoy
and to honor James Wadsworth's request and legacy.
A New Beginning
Improvements to the park, funded by the
town, included new bathroom facilities, and a barbecue cooking pit
donated by Geneseo Kiwanis Club in memory of deceased member Ted
McCauley. The wide open lawns of the park, where the
buildings once stood, serve as open space available to the public,
where the annual Fiddler's Picnic, Cops for Kids Day, and the Conesus
Lake Association Arts and Crafts Festival.
Hop Manapol, a member of the Geneseo
Town Board, took it upon himself to spearhead the beautification of
Long Point Park in 2004, making the park a more attractive and
tranquil location for families to enjoy. Hop
and assistance from the Geneseo Garden Club members, have allowed the
beautiful gardens at the park to flourish.
With
limited resources, Hop was able to attract people to the park again,
using the grounds for receptions, reunions, organization meetings,
weddings and relaxation as it was when the park was founded. Hop
also recognized the great history of the park, and in 2008 he started
gathering artifacts from Long Point Park and around Conesus Lake. He
created a museum at the former LaGrou Family cottage, renamed in
memory of Walter Kingston Jr. Nearby schools started to take field
trips to Long Point to learn about the history of the park and
experience it's beauty.
In 2015, the Town Board of Geneseo
formed a Long Point Park Master Plan Committee to develop a plan for
the future of Long Point. The Committee was inaugurated in January
of 2015, and finished its work in December of 2015. The town will be
writing a new chapter in Long Point Park History as they are looking
to better utilize Long Point Park – year round, with developments
to be suggested by the soon to be appointed steering committee. Stay
tuned...
Please note: the information we have posed is accurate
as of the March 23, 2016. New historical discoveries are found each
day, which could alter this material. As new discoveries are made,
we will update our findings to reflect the most accurate information
that you may find. For the most accurate and complete information on Long Point Park History, we
suggest that you speak with the Town Of Geneseo's honorary Long Point
historian – Lore DiSalvo
