Springwater comes to Canandaigua in 2020! Katherine’s tree at the Granger Homestead
Please join us on Sunday Dec. 6 for a sidewalk hike showcasing the some of best of Canandaigua’s historic districts and landmarks. The tour begins at central civic square, site of the original land office for the Phelps and Gorham Purchase, and heads northeast from there, looping through the historic residential neighborhoods of Gorham, Gibson and Howell Streets with their outstanding examples of architectural styles from the Federal through the Colonial Revival. Former City Planner Saralinda Hooker will provide a general orientation and tips on outstanding properties to note. This is not a building-by-building informational tour, but rather a moderate speed hike; we will keep moving and stop as a group only at a few selected locations, maintaining distance guidelines. The hike is fairly level and all paved, but bring warm clothes, water and a mask. Also an umbrella or hood if showers are predicted.
For those who would prefer a shorter hike, more reading, more detail about individual sites, and less of a crowd, bring your smartphone. A self-guided online tour of the central section of Main Street is available (compliments of the Ontario County Historian’s Office), starting at the Historical Museum at 55 North Main Street and extending a few blocks both north and south from the central square. For a preview, see: https://www.co.ontario.ny.us/383/Main-Street-Guided-History-Walk The historic images in this online tour are enlightening.
Meet at 1:45 under the West Avenue railroad bridge, past the lower end of Atwater Park. The Climbers will make a loop of about 4 miles, going as far as the Sonnenberg Gardens gate and the VA campus and returning on North Main Street for a total of about 4 miles. The Tourists and Naturalists can cut the loop short by returning on Howell Street and North Main for a walk of about 2.5 miles, or can make use of the online tour at your own pace.
Social: Social gathering after the hike at the Cheshire Farms Creamery, 10 Parrish Street (turn right at the Parrish Street light, two blocks south of the business district). This restaurant specializes in ice cream, but also has a food menu including sandwiches, quiche, and other light supper fare. The Creamery’s indoor seating area has a variety of table sizes, well-spaced – see photo below.
Directions:
From Springwater and Wayland – Take Route 15A to the north end of Hemlock Lake, then go right on 20A through Honeoye and east to Route 64, where you will turn left (north). At Toomey’s Corners, make a right on Routes 5 and 20 and head straight into Canandaigua. Do not fork right at the 5&20 bypass, but continue straight on West Avenue. Park along the left side of West Avenue just before the railroad bridge and just past the Dollar General Plaza.
From Rochester: Take Route 490 to join the NYS Thruway at the Victor ramp (Exit 45). Go east one exit and get off at Farmington/Canandaigua (Exit 44). Take Route 332 south 5 miles to the City of Canandaigua, where it becomes Main Street. When you come to the center of town (Court House, City Hall, etc – can’t miss it), take a right at the traffic light on West Avenue. Go under the railroad bridge and park along the side of the road on your right, just past the bridge.
Cheshire Farms Creamery