LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Village of Hammondsport, New
York, upon the occasion of being named the Coolest Small Town in America
by BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those towns and villages which symbolize the historical, social
and cultural development of this great State and embody the spirit of
the principles upon which this Nation was founded; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late the Village of Hammondsport in Steuben County, New York, upon the
occasion of being named the Coolest Small Town in America by BUDGET
TRAVEL MAGAZINE; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, February 1, 2012, BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE
released a statement on Facebook, that Hammondsport, New York, is the
Coolest Small Town in America; and
WHEREAS, In order to be considered for Coolest Small Town in America,
there are a few requirements; population had to be below 10,000, and the
town had to have that indescribable something, according to the tour-
ism-promoting site; and
WHEREAS, Lazarus Hammond founded the Village of Hammondsport around
1827; the Village was incorporated in 1856; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hammondsport later became a center for the New
York wine industry; and
WHEREAS, In 1829 the Reverend Bostwick planted grapevines behind his
Hammondsport rectory; little did he know that he also planted a seed
that would mature to become the New York State wine industry; and
WHEREAS, The Pleasant Valley Wine Company, founded in 1860, and a mile
southwest, was designated United States Bonded Winery No.1 and has eight
remarkable stone buildings listed on the National Register of Historic
Places; this winery along with many others make up Hammondsport's
current wineries; and
WHEREAS, Hammondsport is known as the "Heart of the Wine Country" and
the wines from the Keuka Lake Wine District are known world wide; the
hills that surround Keuka Lake are home to numerous award winning winer-
ies and vineyards; and
WHEREAS, The Great Western Winery and Visitor Center, the most compre-
hensive center of its kind in the world, is part of the same facilities;
and
WHEREAS, Displayed at the center are historical artifacts covering
over 140 years of Finger Lakes winemaking and grape growing expertise; a
working model of the Bath and Hammondsport Railroad, "The Champagne
Trail"; and the cooper's shop, featuring authentic wine casks and
barrels, cooper tools and equipment; and
WHEREAS, Pulteney Square Historic District is a national historic
district located at Hammondsport, New York; the Pulteney Square Band-
stand is over 120 years old; and
WHEREAS, This historic district includes 15 contributing buildings,
one contributing structure (bandstand), one contributing site (village
green), and three contributing secondary buildings; the structures are
clustered around Pulteney Square, a village green roughly 140 feet
square, and date from the 1820s to 1920s; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hammondsport is along the route of the Finger
Lakes Trail, a scenic trail winding across central and western New York;
and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hammondsport, located on the Southern tip of
Keuka Lake, a lake known for its pristine waters, offers many recre-

ational activities which include boating, waterskiing, and fishing for
bass or rainbow, brown and lake trout; and
WHEREAS, The village is referred to as "The Cradle of Aviation" and is
home to The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, dedicated to the memory of the
pioneer aviator and housing such exhibits as a full-scale replica of the
first naval aircraft and many original planes developed by Curtiss; and
WHEREAS, Glenn Hammond Curtiss was an American motorcycle designer and
manufacturer, and recognized expert on gasoline engines; and
WHEREAS, Early development of aircraft and seaplanes was carried out
at Hammondsport by Glenn Hammond Curtiss who had joined with Alexander
Graham Bell and others in the Aerial Experiment Association; and
WHEREAS, Hammondsport was also the birthplace of American film critic
and writer Charles Champlin, in 1926; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hammondsport has become a year round destina-
tion, where tourists can visit world class wineries, aviation history,
watersports and enjoy the scenic views; and
WHEREAS, In recognition of Hammondsport, New York's extraordinary
achievement and enduring contribution to the State of New York, this
Legislative Body is proud to pay tribute to this spirited village, and
to join them in celebrating this momentous honor; and
WHEREAS, A celebration recognizing the Village of Hammondsport being
named the Coolest Small Town in America, will take place on June 30,
2012, during the weekend long Hammondsport's Fireman's Carnival; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Village of Hammondsport, New York, upon the occasion of
being named the Coolest Small Town in America by BUDGET TRAVEL MAGAZINE
and to enthusiastically salute its residents as they celebrate this
auspicious occasion; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Village of Hammondsport, New York.