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Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II

O'Callaghan, E.B., ed. The Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II. Albany: Weed, Parsons and Co., 1849. 313 words

Mud Creek affords good navigation for boats of four or five tons at least, twenty miles ; and the navigation downwards for boats of ten tons, is good to Schenectady sixteen miles only from Albany. The settlements in this part of the country derive great advantage from the Western canals, which the State has patronized at much expense. On the bank of Mud Creek, near the junction of the two streams, is laid out the village of Lyons, so called from the similarity of its situation to the city of that name in France. The vicinity of this place to the mills and to the salt works, and the command of the navigation, both to the interior country and to Albany, contribute to make it a

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place of importance : such has been the success of this settlement, that though only begun two years ago it is now almost one continued village from Geneva to Lyons, sixteen miles. From Lyons to Sodus there is a direct road, but only a few families are, as yet, settled on it. The town of Sodus is however, making considerable improvements ; a set of mills are finished, and other considerable improvements are carrying on. This place is situated on a bay of the same name, which is well known as the best harbour on the south side of Lake Ontario. Few or none, even on the sea coast, exceed it for spaciousness and beauty. The exteat of the bay, from north to south, is about six or seven miles, and from east to west, from two to four miles. The grounds around the bay rise considerably high, and the entrance is not above half a mile over. So completely is it protected from the wind, that when the lake is agitated with a storm, the bay may be passed safely in a canoe.