Clifton Springs

History

The location was first settled around 1801, and much of the early community endeavors exploited the sulfur springs as a health spa. The village was incorporated in 1859. The development of the area was slow until 1849, when Dr. Henry Foster came looking for a place to begin his water cure. Modern medicine was in its early stages, and it was thought that the sulphur waters together with a strong religious revival could restore many to active and useful lives. Sulphur Springs, as it was once called, was well known throughout the eastern part of the US because of this. Over the years, thousands of people came to enjoy the benefits of the water and rest and regain their health. Some famous people who visited the area were Elvis Presley, and Bette Davis' daughter. The area around the former sanitarium was designated the Clifton Springs Sanitarium Historic District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. In March 1917, a local convalescent and architect George Edward Barton assembled a small group of authorities from around the country to discuss the benefits of the "work cure", or the value of activity in promoting recovery. During that meeting, the profession of occupational therapy was born with the incorporation of what is now The American Occupational Therapy Association. In 1968, a plaque was placed on Barton's home, known as Consolation House, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the profession. Between 1915 and 1921, Barton maintained Consolation House as a convalescent home employing therapeutic activity. Today, there has been a revival of interest in bathing at mineral springs. The Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic has devoted an entire wing to this treatment. Modern-day Clifton Springs offers a modern hospital, YMCA, Chamber of…

Geography

Clifton Springs is located at (42.962310, -77.137362). According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land. Clifton Springs is immediately south of both the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) and New York State Route 96. County Road 13 passes through the village as Main Street.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  11,708
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  10,240
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  9,008
• Canada Goose (canadensis Group)

  Branta canadensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,988
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,739
• American Crow

  Corvus brachyrhynchos C.L.Brehm, 1822 · Aves
  8,709
• European Starling

  Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 · Aves
  8,592
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  8,282

Most recent

• M 2.8 — 2026-03-21
  28 km WSW of Henderson, New York
• M 2.6 — 2022-03-15
  5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York
• M 2.91 — 2009-06-05
  4 km SSE of Attica, New York
• M 2.6 — 2007-12-13
  7 km NW of Warsaw, New York
• M 2.59 — 2007-04-11
  6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York
• M 2.59 — 2005-10-31
  7 km NNW of Ontario, New York