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Mexico Point Park: A Gem on Lake OntarioThe shore of Lake Ontario has been a favorite spot for generations of Central New Yorkers. The first half of the 1900s, before air conditioning, Mexico Point Club was the “in” place for those with the means to escape the cities’ summer heat.Mexico Point Club burned in the 1950s but was resurrected as a town park on state land in the late 1980s. On any summer day visitors will find children building sandcastles on the beach, people swimming in the vast waters of Lake Ontario, hikers on the trails, and others just enjoying the natural beauty of the area. Casey’s Cottage is just one unique feature of the park. A 19th century carriage house was transformed into an 11th century English manor house by Dr. William Casey, a sociology professor at Columbia University and his artist friend, Severin Bishof. Along with Casey’s students, they spent thousands of hours turning the unused carriage house into a medieval manor house. A “moat” room was built along with a stone fireplace and a small chapel room, stained glass windows crafted, plus the walls, floors, and ceilings were carved with drawings and medieval sayings. Several nights each year Casey’s Cottage host guests entertained by volunteer re-enactors. Mid Summer’s Eve is an evening of “melodious interludes, victuals and libations.” The wine, mead, and ale flow while harpers play, serving wenches break into song and dance, and for a short time it is the 11th century. Several years ago the park started a Park People Project. Three full-size, hand-carved wooden statues of people key to Mexico Point Park were designed by Rebecca Woods of Oswego and sculpted by Kenvyn Richards of New Haven. One of the people who enjoyed the park during the 1950s was Carmen Basilio, a two-weight world boxing champion. It became his summer training camp. In 2010 a statue of Carmen Basilio will be unveiled joining Joseph Brant, a Mohawk chief; Bessie Maud, a waitress at Mexico Point; and Grace, representing all the people who have enjoyed swimming in Lake Ontario — and still do. One of the two nature trails at the park leads to the Silas Town monument on Spy Island, the burial site of an unsung hero of the Revolutionary War. While secreted on an island in the river, Town overheard British Col. St. Leger and Mohawk Chief Joseph Brant’s planning their attack on Fort Stanwix in Rome. Town rushed to Fort Stanwix warning the American militia, “The British are Coming,” thus helping to thwart part of the major British plan to conquer New York. Town’s request to be buried on the site was honored. Today Friends of Mexico Point Park host art shows, nature walks, band concerts, ice cream socials, fireworks and a variety of family-style activities. For more information check www.howardsplace.net/manorhouse.html. The park is open from May to October. Admission is free and Casey’s Cottage is open during park events or by request. |
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