| Members
of the Cayuga Nation who inhabited what is now the Village of Aurora named
their settlement Deawendote, or "place of constant dawn," because the eastern
ridge above the Village prolongs the dawn. The Village was first settled
by Euro-Americans in the 1790s, some of them veterans of the American Revolution.
In the beginning of the 19th century, due to the reliance on transportation
by water, Aurora was a bustling port town. There was lively steamboat traffic
on Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, and later a railroad line
ran through the village.
 In
the mid-19th century Aurora was a center of wealth and culture. Henry Wells,
founder of the Wells Fargo and American Express Companies, was one notable
resident. In later life, Henry devoted himself to building a liberal arts
college for women of the highest quality in the Village. Having opened
as a seminary in 1868, Wells officially became a college in 1870.
During the last century,
Aurora has been a favorite destination for travelers who enjoy its historic
architecture, natural beauty, college events, and local businesses.
Mindful of its rich heritage
and the warm nature of the community, villagers have worked to preserve
Aurora’s charming qualities. The presence of the College has contributed
greatly to the Village’s identity as a center of culture and learning.
In the past few years, as the result of the efforts of the Aurora Foundation,
a distinctive partnership between Wells and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation,
many of Aurora’s historic buildings have been restored, including the Aurora
Inn. As a result, the Village is experiencing an economic renewal.
Now more than ever, Aurora
stands out as a jewel among Finger Lakes villages a wonderful place to
live and learn, and an exciting destination for visitors.
Lodging, Dining, Weddings
in Aurora
The Aurora Inn is a charming,
historic
Finger Lakes inn in the Village of Aurora, offering impeccably restored
guest rooms and
waterfront
dining overlooking Cayuga Lake.
The Aurora Inn hosts beautiful
Finger
Lakes weddingsin the elegant Lakeside Room and lawn weddings under
pristine white tents, accommodating between 96 and 126 guests. Visitors
may also enjoy a romantic
Finger Lakes getaway.
The Aurora Inn offers one
of the most elegant facilities in the Finger Lakes for
business
meetings and retreats, and can accomodate up to 120 people.
Other Area Lodgings
Dining
Wineries
Shopping, Galleries
Village of Aurora and Cayuga
County
Last updated 01/13/2009
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