If you’re a history buff, visiting Cortland County is a no-brainer. Just a few days spent in the county is enough to give you a taste of the area’s very diverse history.
We promise adventure, a little beauty, and a whole lot of history in two days in Cortland County.
DAY ONE
Start your trip with a locally roasted caffeine boost at Coffee Mania; then venture to Cortland County’s very-own castle, the 1890 House Museum. Take a guided tour of the mansion, built for the late 19th-century inventor and industrialist Chester F. Wickwire, while ‘oooing’ and ‘ahhing’ over the beautifully decorated period rooms.
Time to breath in some fresh air with a stroll through the Cortland County Rural Cemetery, a 19th-century Victorian garden cemetery that is the final resting place for 18,000 people. Walk the cemetery with an interactive cemetrail tour to admire the beauty of the headstones and discover those who helped shape Cortland history.
Grab a quick bite at Gorgers Cortland before taking a leisurely walk-through downtown Cortland to observe the beautiful brick buildings that helped develop the city as we know it today. While many of the businesses are found within eye level of their potential customers, the history behind the buildings are standing over the person – so don’t forget to look up! If you have a minute, make sure to grab a selfie with the 30-foot mural on the west end of the Cortland Corset Building designed by local artist, Crystal Lyon.
Wrap up the day at The Community Restaurant, a landmark eatery that has been serving the area for 80 years.
DAY TWO
Refuel with a cup o’ joe from Coffee Mania Coffee and set off on Cortland County’s high-tech twist on the classic scavenger hunt. Grab your Smartphone and your sense of wanderlust and embark on the Experience Cortland GeoTour. During the tour you will learn about our county history that includes underground railroads, civil war camps, major league ballplayers and possibly the best trucks ever built. During your adventure, make a pit stop at Exit 9 Marketplace in Marathon. Whether you’re looking for knick-knacks, doohickies or possible hidden treasure, the antique store is the place to go.
Ready to nosh? Consider Hobo’s Bar & Grill for a yummy burger, or Super Cream Dairy Bar if you’re craving a hot dog with a side of ice cream.
Walk off lunch at the Glenwood Cemetery where many illustrious citizens of Homer’s past lay buried from Civil War soldiers to Lincoln’s painter, David Hannum of Cardiff Giant hoax fame and more.
From there, tour the CNY Living History Center which houses three museums in one complex, visitors can learn about the history of the county and surrounding areas. Galleries, artifacts, and narratives cover things like the 17,000-mile trek of a Brockway Fire Truck, the county's involvement in various armed conflicts, and the agricultural history of CNY.
Craving pasta with a side of history? No restaurant in Cortland County will take you on a journey back in time quite like Green Arch. Tucked away in an unassuming white house, this Italian restaurant has been a Cortland favorite since it started serving patrons more than 80 years ago.
Request a FREE Visitors Guide or download the Experience Cortland App to learn more about Cortland County’s historic activities.
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