Welcome to Cortland... A Place of History and Charm
Midway between Syracuse and Binghamton, situated on a glaciated plateau at the intersection of seven valleys, Cortland is one of the most scenic small cities in New York State. Cortland is also the southeast gateway to the beautiful Finger Lakes Region, with nearby wineries, farm markets and world class educational institutions.
The City of Cortland is a place of great charm and local history. Its rich heritage traces back to 1500 AD when it was American Indian hunting grounds, used primarily the Iroquois who named Cortland’s lovely Tioughnioga River "Bank of Flowers." Indians hunted in the great hardwood forests until the American Revolution when early pioneers arrived, paddling up the Tioughnioga River, which is the headwaters of the Susquehanna and Chesapeake Bay. A small road constructed in the late 1700s through Cortland to Cayuga Lake brought New Yorkers and New Englanders who welcomed the opening of this new frontier. By the early 1800s, Cortland County was formed, named in honor of General Pierre VanCortlandt, first lieutenant governor of the state.
The region was soon transformed into rich farmland, supporting mixed crops such as wheat, corn and potatoes. Early farmers floated their products along the Tioughnioga River, which was the primary mode of transportation, from Port Watson, a bustling center of commerce within the City. From Cortland, the Tioughnioga River flows 400 miles south to the port of Havre de Grace, Maryland, the mouth of the Chesapeake, and it was not an uncommon sight in the early to mid 1800s to see "arks" loaded with local products floating down river to Baltimore.
With the opening of the Erie Canal and the construction of the railroad in the mid 1800s, local dairy farmers began shipping milk, butter and cheese to eastern markets. Cortland’s historic rail station, which just celebrated its centennial, was the hub of this activity. The station is just a few blocks from the downtown central business district, and still serves as an important feature of the line now operated by the New York, Western and Susquehanna Railway.
By the late 1800s and early 1900s, Cortland was a city of varied industries. That era of enterprise, prosperity, civic pride and public spirit is still evident in the mansions that line Tompkins Street, and the beautiful Victorian era central business district. In the early 1920s, one of Cortland’s most famous landmarks, the domed Courthouse was built. Its statue of Justice towers 160 feet above the manicured park lawn with its stately old elms. Lighted at night and visible for miles, the building is more impressive than many State Capitols
Today, Cortland’s thriving downtown business district has retained its Victorian heritage and is home to charming shops and restaurants. In addition, world renowned companies like Cortland Line make their home here, along with small entrepreneurial companies. The community has secured $1 million in funding to develop a Tioughnioga River Trail that will blend heritage tourism with unique recreational resources such as blue-ribbon fly fishing along the shores of this classic American Waterway... hearkening back to the era when Cortland’s first inhabitants fished its swiftly flowing cold water streams fed by the gently sloping, scenic seven valleys.