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A little about Skaneateles

All seasons show a different side of our natural beauty around our blue, clear lake. All of our businesses will welcome you, and you will enjoy the quieter pace of life on the streets of Skaneateles. If coming from afar, be sure to book a room at one of the many cozy inns, motels, hotels, or B&B's. In our historic downtown district, shops and galleries are housed in restored buildings dating back to 1796. Browse for unique foods, distinctive fashions, original art, home accessories, a special antique. Relax at a restaurant or tavern; the atmosphere may be casual and lively or quietly gracious, but the menu is always tempting

The history of Skaneateles

The area was part of the former Central New York Military Tract. The town of Skaneateles was formed in 1830 from the town of Marcellus. Early turnpikes facilitated development, as mentioned in the article about the village of Skaneateles. The town was noted for participation in reform movements prior to the Civil War. The utopian Skaneateles Community in 1843 acquired and successfully operated a large farm and developed small industries, but ultimately failed because of internal difficulties, as well as external concern about its unorthodox social practices. Locally it was sometimes called "No God," because of the atheistic views of members. The Skaneateles Community published a newspaper, the "Comunitist" [sic] between 1844 and 1846, when the community dissolved. Buildings are extant, known as "Community Place," now serving a bed-and-breakfast function.

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