The name "Branchport" comes from its location at the north end of the west branch of the Y shaped Keuka Lake. Keuka is one of the Finger Lakes, a series of long slender lakes located in Western Central New York State.
Branchport lies within the Beddoe Tract of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. The area immediately north of Branchport was first settled circa 1791 by followers of the Public Universal Friend, a charismatic American evangelist, who called the area "The New Jerusalem".
In 1831, the first store was built at the crossroads, and the community of Branchport (Originally called Esperanza, meaning "hope") grew around this store. In 1867, Branchport became an incorporatedvillage, but has since dissolved the village government, relinquishing its incorporated status.
Branchport became an important port for steamboats which plied the waters of Keuka Lake carrying both passengers and produce from 1835 to 1922. It was also the western terminus of the Penn Yan, Keuka Park and Branchport railway, an 8½ mile electric trolley which provided passenger and freight car service from 1913 to 1928. The line connected with the Northern Central Railroad at Penn Yan.
In the past, Branchport was the seat of small industry including a basket factory, foundry, spoke factory, planing mill, and harness shop. As transportation became more available and industry became concentrated in larger towns, Branchport became largely a residential community, but continues to serve an area of summer lake residents and tourists, as well as farmers who are mainly involved in the growing of grapes.
Area points of interest
Keuka College — three miles east of Branchport. An independent, four-year, residential, coeducational college.
Keuka Lake State Park — one mile east of Branchport. A full feature park, offering swimming, picnic tables with pavilions, a playground, hiking, hunting and fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, a boat launch and a campground with tent and trailer sites.
The Keuka Lake Winery Tour — a self conducted tour of Keuka Lake area wineries goes through Branchport. Hunt Country Vineyards is a stop along the tour.
Stone Schoolhouse — built in 1868 as a two-room school for the Branchport area. It now houses the offices of the town of Jerusalem and contains historical displays and records which are open to the public.
Verdi Burtch Bird Refuge — at the Eastern edge of Branchport along Sugar Creek. A marshland with an observation platform overlooking the marsh and Keuka Lake. Also available is a public fishing area and a boat launch.
Stafford C. Cleveland (1873) "History of Yates County, New York"
Lewis Cass Aldrich (1892) "History of Yates County N.Y."
Miles A. Davis, (1912) "History of Jerusalem"
William Reed Gordan (1967) "Keuka Lake Memories"
January 20, 2023
branchport, york, branchport, hamlet, town, jerusalem, yates, county, york, united, states, crossroads, community, which, contains, about, dwellings, stores, churches, library, firehouse, branchporthamletbranchportlocation, within, state, yorkcoordinates, 5983. Branchport is a hamlet in the town of Jerusalem in Yates County New York United States It is a crossroads community which contains about 85 dwellings six stores two churches a library and a firehouse BranchporthamletBranchportLocation within the state of New YorkCoordinates 42 35 54 N 77 09 14 W 42 59833 N 77 15389 W 42 59833 77 15389 Coordinates 42 35 54 N 77 09 14 W 42 59833 N 77 15389 W 42 59833 77 15389CountryUnited StatesStateNew YorkCountyYatesTownJerusalemElevation740 ft 226 m Time zoneUTC 5 Eastern EST Summer DST UTC 4 EDT ZIP code14418Area code315The name Branchport comes from its location at the north end of the west branch of the Y shaped Keuka Lake Keuka is one of the Finger Lakes a series of long slender lakes located in Western Central New York State Contents 1 History 2 Area points of interest 3 References 4 NotesHistory EditThis section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed July 2021 Learn how and when to remove this template message Branchport lies within the Beddoe Tract of the Phelps and Gorham Purchase The area immediately north of Branchport was first settled circa 1791 by followers of the Public Universal Friend a charismatic American evangelist who called the area The New Jerusalem In 1831 the first store was built at the crossroads and the community of Branchport Originally called Esperanza meaning hope grew around this store In 1867 Branchport became an incorporated village but has since dissolved the village government relinquishing its incorporated status Branchport became an important port for steamboats which plied the waters of Keuka Lake carrying both passengers and produce from 1835 to 1922 It was also the western terminus of the Penn Yan Keuka Park and Branchport railway an 8 mile electric trolley which provided passenger and freight car service from 1913 to 1928 The line connected with the Northern Central Railroad at Penn Yan In the past Branchport was the seat of small industry including a basket factory foundry spoke factory planing mill and harness shop As transportation became more available and industry became concentrated in larger towns Branchport became largely a residential community but continues to serve an area of summer lake residents and tourists as well as farmers who are mainly involved in the growing of grapes Area points of interest EditKeuka College three miles east of Branchport An independent four year residential coeducational college Keuka Lake State Park one mile east of Branchport A full feature park offering swimming picnic tables with pavilions a playground hiking hunting and fishing cross country skiing and snowmobiling a boat launch and a campground with tent and trailer sites The Keuka Lake Winery Tour a self conducted tour of Keuka Lake area wineries goes through Branchport Hunt Country Vineyards is a stop along the tour Stone Schoolhouse built in 1868 as a two room school for the Branchport area It now houses the offices of the town of Jerusalem and contains historical displays and records which are open to the public Verdi Burtch Bird Refuge at the Eastern edge of Branchport along Sugar Creek A marshland with an observation platform overlooking the marsh and Keuka Lake Also available is a public fishing area and a boat launch The Larzelere Tavern Solomon Weaver House Myron Weaver House and Dr James Wrightman House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places 1 References EditThis article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 Notes EditStafford C Cleveland 1873 History of Yates County New York Lewis Cass Aldrich 1892 History of Yates County N Y Miles A Davis 1912 History of Jerusalem William Reed Gordan 1967 Keuka Lake Memories Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Branchport New York amp oldid 1033724026, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
