The Ithaca Commons

Photographed in 1900.

The Ithaca Commons is home to a variety of local businesses and is the very heart and soul of Ithaca. Though the stores have steadily evolved with the times to fit the tastes of the public, it has always been a bustling center for culture and commerce. Some notable establishment that used to be in this area included the Cornell Library, which was demolished in 1960, and the Ithaca Savings Bank, which was where Tompkins Trust Company originated; the building was badly damaged in 1921 and was then demolished. Even now, the Commons is still being worked on and improved to offer the best shopping experience in the area.