Portageville, New York

Portageville is a hamlet located in the Town of Genesee Falls in Wyoming County, New York. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 859. Its name derives from the Native American canoists who would withdraw their craft from the river to avoid going over three waterfalls in the Genesee River gorge. They had to portage several miles to the site of present day Mount Morris where they could embark for the rest of the journey downriver.

Related Topics:
Hamlet - Town of Genesee Falls - Wyoming County, New York - 2000 - Native American - Canoists - Genesee River - Mount Morris

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Portageville is the only named community in the Town of Genesee Falls.

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The Genesee River Gorge with its scenic waterfalls was formed after the original valley was buried in glacial debris from the last ice age and the river had to cut a new valley though the Devonian sedimentary rock of the area. It has also been called The Grand Canyon of the East. The site has now been designated Letchworth State Park and is a major tourist attraction, with the upper entrance at Portage.

Related Topics:
Waterfall - Glacial - Ice age - Devonian - Sedimentary rock - Letchworth State Park

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