Old Jamestown – Chautauqua Lake Dredging

While doing research, I came across a series of articles that appeared in the Jamestown Evening Post from November 1919 through February 1920. The were simply entitled "Old Jamestown" or "Old Jamestowners" and dealt with the early history of the city.

The following deals with the first dam on the Chadakoin, built sometime in the 18th century by French soldiers, prior to the Revolutionary War.

Chautauqua or "the Place of Easy Death"

While doing research for the Bicentennial Biographies project,  I was reading Andrew Young's "History of Chautauqua County, New York" (1875). The opening chapter, which was written by historian Obed Edison, tells of Chautauqua County's history prior to settlement by the white man. The entire section is fascinating, but I was especially intrigued by telling of the origin of "Chautauqua" - so intrigued that I figured I'd share it on my blog. Enjoy.

Vintage Map of "Chautauque" County

The name Ohio, or La Belle Riviere, was applied by the French to that portion of the Allegany, extending up from Pittsburgh as far, at least, as Franklin, as well as to the Ohio proper. It is probable that the Connewango, Chautauqua lake and outlet, and perhaps that part of the Allegany below the mouth of the Connewango to Franklin, were called by the French the Tchadakoin, as inscribed upon this leaden plate [see 'Lead Plate Expedition' in this link], and that, in process of time, this appellation was retained only by the lake. The word underwent various changes in its orthography also, until it came to be spelled "Chautauqua."