Created By: Ithaca Heritage
The Village of Cayuga Heights, across the Fall Creek gorge from the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, is the quintessential university suburb. Founded in the early twentieth century, it has enjoyed a close relationship with the university ever since. A constant theme is the influence exerted on the village by Cornell, which in 2015 celebrated the sesquicentennial of its founding as Cayuga Heights celebrated its centennial of incorporation. In other respects the story of the village is typical of twentieth century suburbanization in the United States. First developed as a streetcar suburb, Cayuga Heights grew with the advent of the automobile, expanded in mid-century, and by century’s end met the qualifications of an inner ring suburb as development spread around it. Looking to the future, Cayuga Heights continues to attract Cornell faculty and staff, area professionals, graduate students, and, now, retirees. A recently adopted village comprehensive plan aims to preserve the neighborhood's architectural and environmental heritage.
Trace the full history of the Village of Cayuga Heights at The Cayuga Heights History Project website.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTES ABOUT THE TOUR:
Intended as a driving or cycling tour.
Total distance travelled: 2.33 miles
Listen to the tour on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/tompkinshistory/sets/the-village-of-cayuga-heights
Please send change requests to changerequest@pocketsights.com.