Recent Changes for "Genesee River Valley" - Rochester Wiki

Genesee River Valley

alexandergartley — 2015-11-20T20:21:58Z

removed dead URL

Differences for Genesee River Valley

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- This area, while always heavy agrarian, formerly enjoyed far more industrial and commercial development than it does now.[[Footnote(See [wiki:Wikipedia:Genesee_Valley_Canal Genesee Valley Canal] on Wikipedia.)]] Until the mid-twentieth century, the region supplied Buffalo with raw food materials used in production, although the majority of production was still subsistence. During this time, significant industrialization, largely centered around milling and other food processing industries, developed. In the 1920's, ["RG&E"] dammed Caneadea Creek to form Rushford Lake. This provided plentiful and cheap power, supplementing the supply from the ["Beebe Station"] in Rochester. While this helped establish the area as a center of tourism (a mantle earlier adopted by Mount Morris with the formation of Letchworth State Park in 1906), it also had far reaching impact on the local economy.[[Footnote([http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/allegany/TownVillageReservation/TownRushford/Rushford%20Lake/RushfordLake-Rhodes.htm Rhodes, Mary. "Rushford Lake". 2005.])]] This process of negative economic growth was accelerated by World War 2, the rise of industrial agriculture and rapid urbanization of the twentieth century.	+ This area, while always heavy agrarian, formerly enjoyed far more industrial and commercial development than it does now.[[Footnote(See [wiki:Wikipedia:Genesee_Valley_Canal Genesee Valley Canal] on Wikipedia.)]] Until the mid-twentieth century, the region supplied Buffalo with raw food materials used in production, although the majority of production was still subsistence. During this time, significant industrialization, largely centered around milling and other food processing industries, developed. In the 1920's, ["RG&E"] dammed Caneadea Creek to form Rushford Lake. This provided plentiful and cheap power, supplementing the supply from the ["Beebe Station"] in Rochester. While this helped establish the area as a center of tourism (a mantle earlier adopted by Mount Morris with the formation of Letchworth State Park in 1906), it also had far reaching impact on the local economy. This process of negative economic growth was accelerated by World War 2, the rise of industrial agriculture and rapid urbanization of the twentieth century.

Genesee River Valley

jgerek — 2014-06-05T16:40:05Z

link Geology

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- == Geology ==	+ == ["Geology"] ==

Genesee River Valley

Damiankumor — 2010-09-29T23:06:03Z

Grammer and spelling

Differences for Genesee River Valley

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- Long the "Wild West" of the Americas, one of the earliest Europeans to visit this area was [wiki:Wikipedia:René-Robert_Cavelier,_Sieur_de_La_Salle Robert de La Salle] on his quest for th Ohio River and the Western Passage, who while widely memorialized in ["Buffalo"] and Quebec, is not recognized in Rochester. This is peculiar, as he would have had extensive dealings with the Senecas in order to navigate the ["Genesee River"], which features a number of water falls and rapids and the surrounding land, which would have been rather densely forested at the time, with the exception of the well established Native American trails (many of which would become major roads much later, most notably, routes ["Route 20" 20], ["Route 33" 33] and ["Route 104" 104].	+ Long the "Wild West" of the Americas, one of the earliest Europeans to visit this area was [wiki:Wikipedia:René-Robert_Cavelier,_Sieur_de_La_Salle Robert de La Salle] on his quest for the Ohio River and the Western Passage, who while widely memorialized in ["Buffalo"] and Quebec, is not recognized in Rochester. This is peculiar, as he would have had extensive dealings with the Senecas in order to navigate the ["Genesee River"], which features a number of waterfalls and rapids and the surrounding land, which would have been rather densely forested at the time, with the exception of the well established Native American trails (many of which would become major roads much later, most notably, routes ["Route 20" 20], ["Route 33" 33] and ["Route 104" 104].
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- It wasn't until the late eighteenth century, however, that this area became populated by Europeans and their descendants for non-military purposes. The forts and trading posts eventually developed surrounding villages and traditional Seneca trading posts, including the area now known as ["Brooks Landing"] and the communities of ["Portageville"] and ["Bristol"] were razed and/or supplanted. In their place, Americans created small farming villages.	+ It was not until the late eighteenth century, however, that this area became populated by Europeans and their descendants for non-military purposes. The forts and trading posts eventually developed surrounding villages and traditional Seneca trading posts, including the area now known as ["Brooks Landing"] and the communities of ["Portageville"] and ["Bristol"] were razed and/or supplanted. In their place, Americans created small farming villages.
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- Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a milling industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Wyoming_County,_New_York Wyoming County] and [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the ["Letchworth State Park" remnants] of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.	+ Because of its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a milling industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Wyoming_County,_New_York Wyoming County] and [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the ["Letchworth State Park" remnants] of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.

Genesee River Valley

ReyTucker — 2010-07-15T15:44:25Z

linking convenience stores

Differences for Genesee River Valley

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- South of Route 20, and particularly south of ["Geneseo"], the communities are largely economically and culturally tied to Buffalo rather than Rochester. In ["Mount Morris"] and [http://www.town.nunda.ny.us Nunda], for example, you can purchase both the Buffalo News and the ["Democrat & Chronicle"] in convenience stores, but by the time you reach Allegany County, only the Buffalo News is available.	+ South of Route 20, and particularly south of ["Geneseo"], the communities are largely economically and culturally tied to Buffalo rather than Rochester. In ["Mount Morris"] and [http://www.town.nunda.ny.us Nunda], for example, you can purchase both the Buffalo News and the ["Democrat & Chronicle"] in ["convenience stores"], but by the time you reach Allegany County, only the Buffalo News is available.

Genesee River Valley

BradMandell — 2009-03-25T18:38:23Z

adopt Maple Sugar & Syrup

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- Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Spring and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are ["deer"], wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.	+ Due to the predominance of ["Maple Sugar & Syrup" maple trees] in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Spring and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are ["deer"], wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.

Genesee River Valley

alexandergartley — 2008-10-24T14:18:09Z

added wiki link to Deer

Differences for Genesee River Valley

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
Line 13:	Line 13:
- Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Spring and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are deer, wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.	+ Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Spring and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are ["deer"], wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.

Genesee River Valley

KeithObrosky — 2008-10-15T19:27:30Z

Havesting of maple syrup occurs in the spring when the sap rises, not fall

Differences for Genesee River Valley

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
Line 13:	Line 13:
- Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Fall and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are deer, wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.	+ Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Spring and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are deer, wild turkey, goose, duck and fox.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2008-07-21T05:23:49Z

maple syrup, linkapalooza, minor fixes, economy

Differences for Genesee River Valley

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- The entire space occupied by ["Rochester"] and its ["Greater Rochester Area" suburbs], along with much of the land south and west to [wiki:Wikipedia:Lake_Erie Lake Erie], was formerly occupied by the [wiki:wikipedia:Seneca_tribe"]. The name of the river is actually derived from the Seneca language and originally meant ''good valley'' or ''pleasant valley''. Well populated at the time, this region was considered the breadbasket of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Iroquois] Confederacy.	+ The entire space occupied by ["Rochester"] and its ["Greater Rochester Area" suburbs], along with much of the land south and west to [wiki:Wikipedia:Lake_Erie Lake Erie], was formerly occupied by the [wiki:wikipedia:Seneca_tribe Seneca nation]. The name of the river is actually derived from the Seneca language and originally meant ''good valley'' or ''pleasant valley''. Well populated at the time, this region was considered the breadbasket of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Iroquois] Confederacy.
Line 4:	Line 4:
- Long the "Wild West" of the Americas, one of the earliest Europeans to visit this area was [wiki:Wikipedia:René-Robert_Cavelier,_Sieur_de_La_Salle Robert de La Salle] on his quest for th Ohio River and the Western Passage, who while widely memorialized in ["Buffalo"] and Quebec, is not recognized in Rochester. This is peculiar, as he would have had extensive dealings with the Senecas in order to navigate the ["Genesee River"], which features a number of water falls and rapids and the surrounding land, which would have been rather densely forested at the time, with the exception of the well established Native American trails (many of which would become major roads much later, most notably, routes ["Route 20" 20], ["Route 33" 33] and ["Route 104" 104].	+ Long the "Wild West" of the Americas, one of the earliest Europeans to visit this area was [wiki:Wikipedia:René-Robert_Cavelier,_Sieur_de_La_Salle Robert de La Salle] on his quest for th Ohio River and the Western Passage, who while widely memorialized in ["Buffalo"] and Quebec, is not recognized in Rochester. This is peculiar, as he would have had extensive dealings with the Senecas in order to navigate the ["Genesee River"], which features a number of water falls and rapids and the surrounding land, which would have been rather densely forested at the time, with the exception of the well established Native American trails (many of which would become major roads much later, most notably, routes ["Route 20" 20], ["Route 33" 33] and ["Route 104" 104].
Line 9:	Line 9:
- It wasn't until the late eighteenth century, however, that this area became populated by Europeans and their descendants for non-military purposes. The forts and trading posts eventually developed surrounding villages and traditional Seneca trading posts, including the area now known as ["Brooks Landing"] and the communities of ["Portageville"] and ["Bristol"] were razed and/or supplanted. In their place, Americans created small farming villages.	+ It wasn't until the late eighteenth century, however, that this area became populated by Europeans and their descendants for non-military purposes. The forts and trading posts eventually developed surrounding villages and traditional Seneca trading posts, including the area now known as ["Brooks Landing"] and the communities of ["Portageville"] and ["Bristol"] were razed and/or supplanted. In their place, Americans created small farming villages.
Line 11:	Line 11:
- Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a milling industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the remnants of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.	+ Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a milling industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Wyoming_County,_New_York Wyoming County] and [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the ["Letchworth State Park" remnants] of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store. + + Due to the predominance of maple trees in much of New York, a significant amount of [http://www.mapleweekend.com maple syrup] is harvested each Fall and is available for purchase at local ["farmers' markets"]. Hunting is also a popular recreational activity (and for some, a source of food) in the rural portions of the Valley. Common game are deer, wild turkey, goose, duck and fox. + + == Geology == + Much of the valley is a product of the last Ice Age. The current river is actually the western branch of the preglacial river system and extends as far south as northern Pennsylvania and empties into ["Lake Ontario"] at ["Charlotte"].[[Footnote(See [wiki:Wikipedia:Genesee_River Genesee River] on Wikipedia.)]] + + ["Letchworth State Park"] occupies a significant portion of the valley and has an additional three waterfalls of its own, including the highest waterfall in New York State. + + There is also a minor geologic fault on the western fringes of the river valley. While it has never caused more than minor damage, it is still active.
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- It should be noted that while agriculture dominates the landscape, it is rare to find something resembling your traditional family farm. For example, driving down the back roads of ["Livingston County"], you will see many fields of corn, each designated with a commercial tag, indicating that they correspond to specific (likely GMO) seeds. These crops are then harvested for their seeds, which are then re-sold to farmers and consumers alike. An alpaca farm in ["Bloomfield"] has over a dozen young and even offers tours and a gift shop to visitors.	+ It should be noted that while agriculture dominates the landscape, it is rare to find something resembling your traditional family farm. For example, driving down the back roads of ["Livingston County"], you will see many fields of corn, each designated with a commercial tag, indicating that they correspond to specific (likely GMO) seeds. These crops are then harvested for their seeds, which are then re-sold to farmers and consumers alike. An alpaca farm in ["Bloomfield"] has over a dozen young and even offers tours and a gift shop to visitors.
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- Towards the eastern end of the valley, and even beyond, into the ["Finger Lakes"], one finds many, many vineyards. These are of varying age and quality. ["Finger Lakes Wine Country" Wine tours] are, of course, recommended, but keep in mind that most vineyards take 30 or more years to truly establish themselves.	+ Towards the eastern end of the valley, and even beyond, into the ["Finger Lakes"], one finds many, many vineyards. These are of varying age and quality. ["Finger Lakes Wine Country" Wine tours] are, of course, recommended, but keep in mind that most vineyards take 30 or more years to truly establish themselves.
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- And if you're wondering what the dairy farms are for, they're likely for ["Upstate Farms Cooperative" milk and other dairy products] or either of the two major brands of cheeses produced in ["Western New York"], ["Heluva Good"] and [http://www.cubanewyork.us/links/cheesemuseum.htm Cuba], both of which are cheddars.	+ And if you're wondering what the dairy farms are for, they're likely for [http://www.upstatefarmscoop.com Upstate Niagara] (producers of Bison and Upstate Farms brand milk and dairy products) or either of the two major brands of cheeses produced in Western New York, [http://www.heluvagood.com Heluva Good] and [http://www.cubanewyork.us/links/cheesemuseum.htm Cuba], both of which are cheddars. + + == Economy == + The Genesee River Valley cannot properly be thought of as having a single cohesive market. + + North of what is now ["Route 20"], the economy is largely centered around ["Rochester"]. A significant number of people twenty to sixty minutes a day from outlying communities to work in the city or its immediate suburbs. In the early nineteenth century, this area supplied much of the wheat that was processed by the mills. The ["Port of Rochester"] and later the ["Erie Canal"] and railroads were used to distribute this flour to the rest of the nation. By the end of the 1800's, the local market had largely transitioned to the production of ["Ellwanger and Barry" decorative flowers]. Much of what is now the ["University of Rochester"] and ["Brighton"] was used for flower farming. + + In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, significant industrial development occurred along what is now the border of ["Greece"] and Rochester, as well as along the ["Genesee River"], north of Brooks Landing, where rough waters made the river impassable. By the 1960's, the city had over 300 thousand residents and was projected to become one of the largest cities in the nation. However, as with the rest of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Rust_belt Rust Belt], the decline of heavy manufacturing and suburban flight took a significant tole on the city and now 80% of the metro population lives outside of the city. In the early twenty-first centuries, the major areas of employment are education, research and development and medicine. + + South of Route 20, and particularly south of ["Geneseo"], the communities are largely economically and culturally tied to Buffalo rather than Rochester. In ["Mount Morris"] and [http://www.town.nunda.ny.us Nunda], for example, you can purchase both the Buffalo News and the ["Democrat & Chronicle"] in convenience stores, but by the time you reach Allegany County, only the Buffalo News is available. + + This area, while always heavy agrarian, formerly enjoyed far more industrial and commercial development than it does now.[[Footnote(See [wiki:Wikipedia:Genesee_Valley_Canal Genesee Valley Canal] on Wikipedia.)]] Until the mid-twentieth century, the region supplied Buffalo with raw food materials used in production, although the majority of production was still subsistence. During this time, significant industrialization, largely centered around milling and other food processing industries, developed. In the 1920's, ["RG&E"] dammed Caneadea Creek to form Rushford Lake. This provided plentiful and cheap power, supplementing the supply from the ["Beebe Station"] in Rochester. While this helped establish the area as a center of tourism (a mantle earlier adopted by Mount Morris with the formation of Letchworth State Park in 1906), it also had far reaching impact on the local economy.[[Footnote([http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ny/county/allegany/TownVillageReservation/TownRushford/Rushford%20Lake/RushfordLake-Rhodes.htm Rhodes, Mary. "Rushford Lake". 2005.])]] This process of negative economic growth was accelerated by World War 2, the rise of industrial agriculture and rapid urbanization of the twentieth century. + + Today, the area provides relatively few processed goods and the predominant products are unprocessed agricultural commodities, processed dairy goods, lumber and salt.

Genesee River Valley

BradMandell — 2008-07-21T01:36:26Z

wikipedia seneca tribe no local entry

Differences for Genesee River Valley

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- The entire space occupied by ["Rochester"] and its ["Greater Rochester Area" suburbs], along with much of the land south and west to [wiki:Wikipedia:Lake_Erie Lake Erie], was formerly occupied by the ["Seneca tribe"]. The name of the river is actually derived from the Seneca language and originally meant ''good valley'' or ''pleasant valley''. Well populated at the time, this region was considered the breadbasket of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Iroquois] Confederacy.	+ The entire space occupied by ["Rochester"] and its ["Greater Rochester Area" suburbs], along with much of the land south and west to [wiki:Wikipedia:Lake_Erie Lake Erie], was formerly occupied by the [wiki:wikipedia:Seneca_tribe"]. The name of the river is actually derived from the Seneca language and originally meant ''good valley'' or ''pleasant valley''. Well populated at the time, this region was considered the breadbasket of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Iroquois] Confederacy.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-03T22:50:40Z

info on area agriculture

Differences for Genesee River Valley

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
Line 11:	Line 11:
- Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the remnants of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.	+ Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a milling industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the remnants of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.
Line 13:	Line 13:
	+ == More on Agriculture ==
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	+ It should be noted that while agriculture dominates the landscape, it is rare to find something resembling your traditional family farm. For example, driving down the back roads of ["Livingston County"], you will see many fields of corn, each designated with a commercial tag, indicating that they correspond to specific (likely GMO) seeds. These crops are then harvested for their seeds, which are then re-sold to farmers and consumers alike. An alpaca farm in ["Bloomfield"] has over a dozen young and even offers tours and a gift shop to visitors. + + Curiously, you are most likely to find "traditional" family farms in the outer-ring suburbs of ["Monroe County"], like ["Penfield"], where plots of land are too small for intense commercial farming, but are sufficiently large and expensive that a small farm operation offers considerable tax advantages. + + Towards the eastern end of the valley, and even beyond, into the ["Finger Lakes"], one finds many, many vineyards. These are of varying age and quality. ["Finger Lakes Wine Country" Wine tours] are, of course, recommended, but keep in mind that most vineyards take 30 or more years to truly establish themselves. + + And if you're wondering what the dairy farms are for, they're likely for ["Upstate Farms Cooperative" milk and other dairy products] or either of the two major brands of cheeses produced in ["Western New York"], ["Heluva Good"] and [http://www.cubanewyork.us/links/cheesemuseum.htm Cuba], both of which are cheddars.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-02T19:57:20Z

added pics. I have written permission of photographer.

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	+ [[Image(seneca1.jpg,thumbnail,right,250,"Seneca ceremony. Photographer: Judith Gavin.")]]
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	+ [[Image(seneca2.jpg,thumbnail,right,250,"Seneca ceremony. Photographer: Judith Gavin.")]]
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	+ + [[Image(ruralskylineatsunset.jpg,thumbnail,right,250,"Much of the river valley is rural. Photographer: Judith Gavin.")]]

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-02T19:54:56Z

Upload of image ruralskylineatsunset.jpg.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-02T19:50:52Z

Upload of image seneca2.jpg.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-02T19:50:29Z

Upload of image seneca1.jpg.

Genesee River Valley

DaveMahon — 2007-09-02T16:59:43Z

Created page

Differences for Genesee River Valley

Deletions are marked with - .	Additions are marked with +.
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	+ The entire space occupied by ["Rochester"] and its ["Greater Rochester Area" suburbs], along with much of the land south and west to [wiki:Wikipedia:Lake_Erie Lake Erie], was formerly occupied by the ["Seneca tribe"]. The name of the river is actually derived from the Seneca language and originally meant ''good valley'' or ''pleasant valley''. Well populated at the time, this region was considered the breadbasket of the [wiki:Wikipedia:Iroquois] Confederacy. + + Long the "Wild West" of the Americas, one of the earliest Europeans to visit this area was [wiki:Wikipedia:René-Robert_Cavelier,_Sieur_de_La_Salle Robert de La Salle] on his quest for th Ohio River and the Western Passage, who while widely memorialized in ["Buffalo"] and Quebec, is not recognized in Rochester. This is peculiar, as he would have had extensive dealings with the Senecas in order to navigate the ["Genesee River"], which features a number of water falls and rapids and the surrounding land, which would have been rather densely forested at the time, with the exception of the well established Native American trails (many of which would become major roads much later, most notably, routes ["Route 20" 20], ["Route 33" 33] and ["Route 104" 104]. + + Forts established along Lake Erie and ["Lake Ontario"] later played a prominent role during the [wiki:Wikipedia:French_and_Indian_War French and Indian War] of the mid-eighteenth century and the American Revolutionary War (largely on the side of the British loyalists). + + It wasn't until the late eighteenth century, however, that this area became populated by Europeans and their descendants for non-military purposes. The forts and trading posts eventually developed surrounding villages and traditional Seneca trading posts, including the area now known as ["Brooks Landing"] and the communities of ["Portageville"] and ["Bristol"] were razed and/or supplanted. In their place, Americans created small farming villages. + + Thanks to its ["High Falls" prominent] ["Middle Falls" water] ["Lower Falls" falls], Rochester developed a industry. The surrounding area, later designated ["Greater Rochester Area"], however remained largely agrarian, which can be seen to this day, particularly if you follow the Genesee River south of the Rochester area into [wiki:Wikipedia:Allegany_County,_New_York Allegany County]. There, you can also seem some of the remnants of the dense forests that La Salle must have seen, as well as experiencing the remoteness of the villages and (far more numerous) hamlets, where one may reasonably expect to have to drive more than 20 miles to find a grocery store.