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Fort Hill/Granary Box # 1 LbNA #25112

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jul 25, 2006
Location:
City:Victor
County:Ontario
State:New York
Boxes:1
Planted by:dipperwhippers
Found by: Jiggs
Last found:May 9, 2010
Status:FFFFFFFFFFF
Last edited:Jul 25, 2006
Fort Hill/Granary Box # 1
Ganondagan State Historic Site
Boughton Hill Road.
Ganondagon State Historic Site
1488 State Route 444, Victor, New York 14564-0113

Background

Just southeast of Rochester, New York, in the town of Victor, lies Ganondagan (ga·NON·da·gan), the site of a Native American community that was a flourishing, vibrant center for the Seneca people.

Americans everywhere owe a debt to the Seneca people; as one of the six nations comprising the Iroquois Confederacy, their democratic ideals served as an inspiration for the U.S. Constitution. If you're a woman, you may be surprised to learn that the Seneca's matriarchal Society helped inspired the 1848 declaration of sentiments that eventually lead to a woman's right to vote. The Seneca also developed one of the world's most basic and healthy cuisine’s using natural foods that are still popular today, as are many of the natural medicines they used to treat illnesses. From politics and the environmental movement to food and medicine, the roots of contemporary society can be traced back to this historic site right in Rochester's back yard.

From the eyes of a 12 year old Seneca girl…

It is the summer of 1687. I am walking down hill towards the setting sun from my village called Ganondagan. It is the home of my people, the Seneca. We are one of the six nations comprising the Iroquois Confederacy. In my village I was checking on the building of another Long House and visiting a friend who was also left behind this summer as the men have gone to Illinois to fight the French over the beaver trade.

As I approach the bottom of the hill I am standing in a large grassy field. To my right is Gah:ha-da-yan-duk which means “a Fort was there.” It is a mesa with a picketed granary some 800 paces around. The white man calls this place “Fort Hill”. This place is very special to my people. I will take you there.
We start up the path through the meadow. The path bends towards the setting sun. Notice the wild strawberries coming into fruit. They are always so sweet! We should not stop today - I feel that something is amiss. We turn right onto a path that runs through thick woods. Despite the gloom we press onward seeing lots of Horsetails on the sides of the path. Not too far along we come to a low swampy area fed by an uphill spring that I often bring water from. Long split wood planks carry us over the soggy ground. The woods are quiet as if the birds and animals know that something is amiss.

Now comes the climb. My ancestors were wise to keep the corn so high up on this Mesa. I stop and rest once or twice and wonder what can be happening. I see the Indian Peace Pipes by the side of the trail near the top. They are always a welcome sight. There is so much corn in the granary! I wonder who would want it? The women work so hard to raise, pick, and store the corn. Grandpa says we are a wealthy nation because of so much hard work.

We reach the top of the Mesa. Listen! Do you hear the shouting? Someone is screaming! There are white men here! Who they? Why are they here? We run towards the setting sun around the front of the stockade – the side that faces the trail to my village. We hide in some low brush.

From the looks of the strangers and the cries of my people I can tell they are part of General Denonville’s expedition. There must be a 1,000 or more of them! Oh no! They must be the “corn cutters” that my Father told of! They have come to destroy our corn! I must save some of the precious corn seed for our nation to go forward. I rush to the log wall and grab several handfuls to fill my leather pouch.

Traveling further towards the setting sun we come to a wide path that is traveling downhill. The corn cutters must have come up this way! We rush to the edge of the mesa on the winter sun side of this path. The tree that bears the sweet bright red fruit of fall grows here. I hide my pouch here near the base of this tree. I hope that I can come back another time to get it! I hope Denonville’s men do not find my stash! We crouch low, and prepare to run silently back to the village to warn the others that an Army is here.

Can you Find this young Seneca’s stash of corn?



- Scroll Down for the Easy Directions -















Easy Directions

The Granary Trail is at Fort Hill west of the Gonondagan site on Boughton Hill Raod. Go here for a map and a link to the site. The parking lot is between the intersections of Boughton Hill Road and Murray Rd on the west and Boughton Hill Road and Rt. 444 on the east. Park in the small grassy lot. A Kiosk displays a map of the trail. Be watchful for Poison Ivy as always in any outdoor adventure (although this site does not have very much).

The Granary Trail is a nice trail of short length, with some steep uphill terrain (don’t worry, this is a walk in the woods not a climb of Mt. Marcy). The view from the top is well worth the effort. When you reach the top of the mesa, you will find dozens of large metal plaques that tell the story of the battle/ destruction that ensued between the French coming from Canada and the Indians in the 1600’s. The women / youth were left behind to guard their large holding of corn while the Seneca warriors went out to Illinois to fight over the Beaver trade.

Follow the trail to the top of the mesa. As you enter the Mesa from the East, walk to the left (south) on the grassy trail along the edge. Follow the Story written on the plaques. The Mesa in the summer is filled with Milkweeds that attract Monarch’s – look for them. Also wild Lavender, Bee Balm and Butterfly bush. When you reach the western end, there is a bench and four plaques. Look at the four plaques there, 3 have similar objects and one does not. Stand in front of the odd plaque (it contains a compass rose). It is facing the village of Totiakton to the West. Follow the North mark inscribed there. It will point you to an Apple Tree. At the base of this tree you will find what you seek - the smart hiding place of this young Seneca Indian. As you enjoy the golden contents of this treasure, enjoy the view from this magnificent location. Looking south on a clear day, you can see Bare Hill, the legendary birthplace of the Seneca nation.

When you are ready re-hide it as you found it and continue on the loop returning as you came. There are several Picnic tables at the top in the good weather. Every season is splendid here atop Fort Hill.