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Owasco Lake
Owasco Lake details:
- Length: 11 miles
- Maximum width: 1.3 miles
- Maximum depth: 177 feet
- Average depth: 95 feet
- Major cities and towns: Auburn, Moravia
What you'll find on this page:
I know you'll want to make sure to spend some time on Owasco Lake while you visit the Finger Lakes Region.
Read on about:
- History's Hometown, Auburn
- How Owasco Lake got its name
- Easy links to other outdoor things to do on Owasco Lake
Chances are really rather excellent you'll find one or more activities to add to your itinerary!
Auburn: History's Hometown
Auburn, which rests at the north end of Owasco Lake, is sometimes called "History's Hometown." You can see the home of Harriet Tubman here.The third from the easternmost of New York’s Finger Lakes, Owasco Lake is 11 miles long and maxes out at 177 feet deep.
This lake has a lot of history that happened around it. Auburn, which rests at its northernmost point is an historic town, now gaining in exposure for things to do and a great place that’s not too far from Syracuse but not in the city either.
Auburn has been dubbed “History’s Hometown” and has an incredible list of past famous residents, including:
- Harriet Tubman - Abolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor
- William H. Seward - U.S. Secretary of State and Lincoln advisor
- Theodore Case - Sound-on-film technology pioneer
- Jeremiah S. Black - U.S. Attorney General and Secretary of State
- Thomas Mott Osborne - Prison reform advocate
- Enos T. Throop - New York governor and diplomat
You can visit the former homes of some of these famous residents, the Harriet Tubman House being a popular destination for many.
Would you believe I was an adult living abroad before I learned Harriet Tubman had lived within an hour of my New York home? Astonishingly sad, isn’t that? Make sure this doesn't happen to you!
How did Owasco Lake get its name?
Similar to nearly all of the 11 Finger Lakes, Owasco Lake also gleans its name from a Native American phrase used to describe the lake and its surrounding territory.
East of Owasco Lake is the town of Owasco. Early settler roads followed old paths the Native Americans used to get from recent day Owasco to Auburn. These paths included log crossings over the Owasco River. In the Iroquois language, the log bridges were called “wasco,” meaning “the crossing” in English, from which Owasco was derived.
Things to do while visiting Owasco Lake
So, you wanna visit Owasco Lake?
Owasco Lake is known for having some amazing history, great fishing, and leisurely paddles. I don't blame you for wanting to come here. Even though I live locally, I'm planning my next trip too!
To find out more about the following activities on Owasco Lake, just click on the link. I suggest you try them all - because you just never know what kind of good stuff you might miss out on if you don't!
Create your own Finger Lakes adventure
Owasco Lake is just too amazing to miss!
Which outdoor activities will you add to your next Finger Lakes adventure itinerary?
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