Ithaca history

Founding and First Mentions

The history of Ithaca is rooted in times when the lands around the Finger Lakes were inhabited by indigenous peoples, particularly the Cayuga tribe. The modern settlement began to take shape in the late 1780s when the first American colonists arrived in the region. The city received its current name in the early 19th century thanks to Simeon De Witt, the Surveyor General of New York State. Inspired by classical literature, he named the settlement after the Greek island, the home of the legendary Odysseus.

Key Factors of Development

• Geography and Water Resources: Its location at the southern end of the long Cayuga Lake provided the city with access to important waterways, and later — a connection to the Erie Canal, which stimulated trade.
• Power of Waterfalls: The local landscape with deep gorges and powerful streams (such as Fall Creek) allowed for the construction of numerous mills and factories utilising hydropower for production.
• Railways: The arrival of rail transport in the 1830s strengthened Ithaca's status as a regional transport hub, facilitating the export of local products.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, the city's economy was built on agriculture, logging, and flour milling. However, a turning point in history was the founding of Cornell University in 1865. This event not only changed the cultural face of the city by attracting scholars and students but also reoriented Ithaca's development towards science and education. It is also accurate to note that in the early 20th century, the city was a brief centre of the silent film industry, hosting famous film studios of that time.

Chronology of Ithaca's Development

• 1789 — The first American settlers build log cabins on the territory of the modern city, marking the beginning of a permanent settlement.
• 1804 — State Surveyor General Simeon De Witt names the settlement Ithaca in honour of the homeland of the ancient Greek hero Odysseus.
• 1817 — Ithaca is officially incorporated as a village, allowing for the creation of local government bodies.
• 1821 — The settlement becomes the administrative centre of the newly formed Tompkins County, strengthening its political significance.
• 1834 — The Ithaca and Owego Railroad is launched, becoming one of the first railway lines in New York State.
• 1865 — Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White found Cornell University, forever changing the destiny of the city.
• 1888 — Ithaca receives official city status, administratively separating from the town of the same name.
• 1892 — William Egbert founds the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, which eventually transforms into Ithaca College.
• 1914 — The Wharton brothers open a film studio here, turning the city into the "Hollywood of the East" and a centre of silent cinema for several years.
• 1931 — The Conservatory is formally transformed into Ithaca College, reinforcing the city's status as a major educational hub.
• 1974 — The pedestrian shopping zone Ithaca Commons opens in the city centre, becoming a popular place for walks and events.
• 2015 — A complete reconstruction of Ithaca Commons is completed, updating the infrastructure and appearance of the historic centre.

Stages of City Transformation

The development of Ithaca is a story of the transformation of a small settlement into a global educational and cultural centre. Below are the key milestones that defined the modern appearance and economy of the city.

• Industrialisation via Water Energy (19th Century).

  Thanks to the elevation changes and powerful streams in the gorges, Ithaca became an early industrial centre. The construction of mills and factories, including the famous Ithaca Gun Company and calendar clock production, formed the primary economic base and attracted the working class, laying the foundation for urban infrastructure.

• Rise as a Transport Hub (1830s).

  Connection to the New York State canal system via Cayuga Lake and the construction of one of the region's first railways turned the city into an important logistics point. This ensured the transit of coal, lumber, and gypsum, strengthening trade ties with major markets on the East Coast.

• Academic Revolution (1865).

  The founding of Cornell University was the main turning point. This event reoriented the economy from manufacturing to education and science, and also set the vector for urban planning: the campus on East Hill became an architectural dominant, separating academic life from the business centre in the valley.

• Era of "Hollywood of the East" (1914–1920).

  During this period, Ithaca served as a base for the Wharton brothers' film studio. Filming numerous silent movies in local settings (gorges and campuses) brought the city cultural fame and a short-term economic boom, leaving a legacy of interest in arts and media.

• Construction of the Ithaca College Campus (1960s).

  The relocation of Ithaca College from the city centre to South Hill became a massive urban planning project. This not only freed up buildings in the centre for other needs but also created a second powerful academic cluster, finally cementing the city's status as a "city of two colleges".

• Urban Renewal: Ithaca Commons (1974).

  In response to the outflow of shoppers to suburban malls, city authorities turned the main shopping street, State Street, into a pedestrian zone. This decision became one of the first such projects in the USA and allowed the preservation of the historic centre (Downtown) as a lively public and commercial space.

Urban Planning Context

The architectural appearance of Ithaca is dictated by its unique landscape. The city is clearly divided into "The Flats", where the historic and business centre is concentrated, and "The Hills", where residential areas and university campuses are located. This division defined the character of the development: dense commercial architecture in the valley and spacious academic and residential complexes on the heights.

Architectural Styles and Eras

The city's development represents a visual guide to the history of American architecture from the 19th to the 21st centuries, where academic monumentality coexists with cosy residential buildings.

• Greek Revival and Federal Style (1820–1850s).

  During the city's early formation, which coincided with the popularity of ancient ideals in the USA, many public and residential buildings were constructed. This style, with its columns and symmetry, reflected the democratic aspirations of the young nation.

• Victorian Eclectic and Italianate (1860–1890s).

  The era of industrial growth and the founding of Cornell University brought a variety of Victorian styles to the city. Wealthy industrialists and professors built mansions with decorative cornices, towers, and verandas, especially in the East Hill and Downtown districts.

• Richardsonian Romanesque and Neo-Gothic (Late 19th Century).

  These styles dominate the oldest buildings of the Cornell campus. They are characterised by massive stone walls, arched windows, and high spires, designed to emphasise the weight and significance of educational institutions.

• Beaux-Arts and Neoclassicism (Early 20th Century).

  The "City Beautiful movement" period left a mark in the form of monumental public buildings and the expansion of university buildings, distinguished by strict lines and grandeur of proportions.

• Modernism and Brutalism (Mid — Late 20th Century).

  The post-war era was marked by the construction of the new Ithaca College campus on South Hill and the appearance of bold concrete structures at Cornell. This was a time of experiments with form and functionality.

Landmark Buildings and Districts

• Clinton House. A striking example of Greek Revival with monumental Doric columns. A former hotel turned office building, it is one of the oldest landmarks in the centre.
• Sage Hall. A building on the Cornell campus, executed in the High Victorian Gothic style. It is distinguished by complex brickwork, pointed roofs, and rich decor.
• Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art. A masterpiece of Brutalism designed by the famous architect I.M. Pei. The concrete building resembles a sewing machine or a giant sculpture rising above Cayuga Lake.
• Ithaca Commons. An example of an urban planning experiment of the 1970s. The transformation of the main street into a pedestrian zone reflected the trend towards humanising the urban environment and creating public spaces.
• Milstein Hall. A modern building for the architecture faculty, designed by Rem Koolhaas. It represents a bold cantilevered structure demonstrating the principles of deconstructivism and modern engineering.

Science and Innovation

Thanks to Cornell University, Ithaca has become home to many luminaries of world science whose discoveries have changed our understanding of the world.

• Carl Sagan (1934–1996)
  Astronomer, astrophysicist, and science communicator.
  For most of his career, Sagan was a professor at Cornell University. Living in Ithaca in a historic house known as "The Sphinx", he worked on NASA missions and created the famous series "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage".
• Richard Feynman (1918–1988)
  Theoretical physicist, Nobel Prize laureate.
  After participating in the Manhattan Project, Feynman taught at Cornell (1945–1950). It was here, in his own words, that he regained the joy of scientific discovery and began developing quantum electrodynamics, for which he later received the Nobel Prize.
• Hans Bethe (1906–2005)
  Nuclear physicist, Nobel Prize laureate.
  He fled Nazi Germany and found a home in Ithaca, where he taught for over 60 years. His work made Cornell a world centre for physics, and he played a key role in explaining how stars produce energy.
• Robert Moog (1934–2005)
  Engineer, pioneer of electronic music.
  Received his doctorate at Cornell. It was in this region that he developed and began production of his famous Moog synthesizers, which revolutionised the music industry of the 1960s and 70s.

Literature and Culture

The creative atmosphere of the city attracted writers and artists who created their major masterpieces here.

• Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)
  Writer, poet, and entomologist.
  Taught Russian literature at Cornell for over a decade (1948–1959). In Ithaca, he wrote a significant part of the novel "Lolita" and was actively involved in studying local butterflies, a collection of which is partially stored at the university.
• Rod Serling (1924–1975)
  Screenwriter, TV producer, creator of "The Twilight Zone".
  In the final years of his life, he taught at Ithaca College. His influence on US media culture is immense, and the college still houses his extensive creative archive.
• Alex Haley (1921–1992)
  American writer, Pulitzer Prize winner.
  The author of the famous novel "Roots" lived and worked in Ithaca during the period of his greatest popularity, frequently interacting with the local academic community.

City Founders

• Ezra Cornell (1807–1874)
  Businessman, philanthropist, co-founder of Western Union.
  A key figure in the history of Ithaca. He donated his land and fortune to create a university open to all regardless of gender or race, which forever defined the city's destiny as an educational centre.