HEATH’S GROVE
- Program
- Subject
- Location
- Lat/Long
- Grant Recipient
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NYS Historic
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Arts & Culture
- 2353 Otisco Valley Rd, Marietta, NY 13110, USA
- 42.884867, -76.293407
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Town of Otisco
HEATH’S GROVE
Inscription
HEATH’S GROVEOTISCO LAKE RESORT OPERATED
BY GEORGE AND RUBY HEATH
CA.1901-1955. HOSTED SUMMER
COTTAGES, SPORTS GAMES, DANCES
AND ANNUAL EVENTS HERE.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2022
In 1894, Ruby (Kinney) Heath inherited this waterfront property from her father, Warren Kinney. Following her marriage to George Heath, Ruby and her husband established Heath’s Grove here ca. 1901, which became a popular Otisco Lake resort. Heath’s Grove, or The Grove, featured furnished cottages and boat rentals as well as athletic fields and a dancehall. The Six Town Picnic, believed to have started in 1885 by local farmers, became an annual county-wide event held here and included guest speakers, baseball games, races, contests, music, and dancing. They also hosted events for the Grange, Camp Fire Girls of Marcellus, fire departments, local schools and churches, veterans’ groups, and family reunions. Heath’s Grove closed after the deaths of both George and Ruby Heath in 1955.