Created By: Ithaca Heritage
Ithaca Trail (5.56 mi)- Suggested: Walk/Run/Bike/Roll - (Ithaca Strava File)
The streets we walk on today would be unrecognizable to someone who walked the same street two hundred years ago. New buildings and modern growth are part of that change, but so is destruction- fires, floods, and disasters shape the landscapes on which we live.
On this walking tour of Ithaca, you’ll explore what used to stand in the place of your favorite restaurant or shop, and get a glimpse at the lives of the people who lived and worked here for the past two hundred years.
Because fires can be destructive, and result in the loss of property or life, some of these stories are painful to hear. For every fire that results in a bizarre, fun story, there is one that involves the loss of someone’s home, or a loved one. We hope that while you have fun exploring the history that lives all around you, and appreciate some of the truly weird episodes in Tompkins County’s history, we also hope that you can appreciate the significance of these events, and the courage and tenacity it took for the people who witnessed these tragedies to continue to grow and rebuild their communities. The lives and livelihoods that were lost in flames deserve to be remembered and respected.
Have fun exploring Tompkins County’s unique history, and tag us in pictures of your tour on social media @TompkinsHistory #FindingFires. We hope you have a great time exploring all the county has to offer!
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Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.