Timeline

5500 BC
Earliest traces of Native Americans in Seneca River Valley

1677
Jesuit Mission settlement. Called St. Rene’s Mission. Maps indicate Montezuma Hamlet area, but name of mission is also referenced to be in Savannah area. Not certain if these are one and the same or different missions. Click here for Indian Land Map

1779
Gen Sullivan’s Expedition: Gen. William Butler is sent to destroy all Indian towns east of Cayuga Lake September 9, 1779

1782
Military Tract divisions include Towns of Aurelius and Brutus

1789
Cayuga Reservation formed on East Side of Cayuga Lake

1795
New York Treaty with Cayugas to give up land, Cayuga Reservation is surveyed into lots of 250 acres

1796
Sale of Indian lands begins

1798
First settlement at Montezuma made by Peter Clarke, Comfort Tyler, and Abraham Morgan

1799
Cayuga County formed from portion of Onondaga County March 3, 1799

1802
Town of Mentz formed from portions of Towns of Aurelius and Brutus March 2, 1802

1807
Cayugas cede all remaining land to New York State

1811
Bridges built over Clyde and Seneca Rivers and turnpike built over the marshes

1820
Middle section of Erie Canal is first opened between Montezuma and Utica

1823
Baptist Church formed in Montezuma as “Church of Aurelius and Mentz”

1825
Old Mentz Church built, Erie Canal completed Oct. 26, 1825

1828
Cayuga-Seneca Canal is opened in Montezuma extending canal to the Finger Lakes

1849
Richmond Aqueduct construction begins

1857
Completion and opening of Richmond Aqueduct

1859
Montezuma Township created from portion of Mentz Township April 8, 1859

1865
St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church built

1866
Montezuma Village incorporated with population of 550

1917
Barge Canal replaces Erie and Richmond Aqueduct partially demolished

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