Program

NYS Historic

Subject

Site

Location

Panama Rocks Scenic Park, 11 Rock Hill Rd, Panama, NY 14767, USA

Lat/Long

42.073217, -79.488807

Grant Recipient

Harmony Historical Society

More than 300 million years ago, long before any human set foot in what would become western New York, powerful rivers carried sand, gravel, and pebbles from the ancient Appalachian Basin. Over time, these sediments hardened into an impressive quartz conglomerate formation along the shore of the Paleozoic Ocean, part of the Upper Devonian Epoch. Millennia later, glaciers swept across the landscape, carving away most of the formation and leaving behind towering outcrops, crevices, alleys, subterranean passages, and hidden caves. This remnant became known as Panama Rocks.

The land surrounding this geological wonder was inhabited by Native American residents for several generations, before the Holland Land Company sold the property in 1820. For decades the rocks stood in relative quiet—mysterious, dramatic, and inspiring local legends of hidden treasure among formations with names like Ship of State, Rock Palace, and Paradise Alley.

Everything changed in 1886, when George W. Hubbard recognized the site’s potential and purchased the property. Hubbard transformed Panama Rocks into one of the region’s earliest and most beloved tourist destinations. He constructed a hotel and established a regular stagecoach service to carry visitors from the railroad station in Ashville, seven miles away. Word spread quickly, and soon thousands of travelers arrived each year to explore the twisting passageways, enjoy picnic outings, reunions, and stroll the newly built hiking trails nestled among the ancient stone.

As visitation grew, the Panama Traction Company added a trolley line between the railroad station and the site, making access even easier. Panama Rocks gained national recognition, celebrated for its scenic beauty and atmospheric rock formations. It even became a sought-after honeymoon destination for couples seeking a blend of nature, adventure, and romance.

In 1918, the Davis family took over management of the property, guiding it through nearly three decades of continued development. They built a guest house and a tearoom or dining hall to better serve the growing crowds. D. L. Davis eventually founded Panama Rocks Company, Inc., which carried the park into its next era. Improvements continued, including stairways built into the rocks and a small access road that made the site more welcoming to Sunday travelers—some of whom came all the way from Buffalo for a chicken dinner and a day spent wandering the formations.

Ownership transferred again by 1944, when Mr. and Mrs. G. E. Eddy purchased Panama Rocks, managing it until around 1968. Several owners followed in the years after, each preserving the park’s legacy in their own way. Beginning in 1973, the site hosted a major folk fair that ran through 1999, featuring traditional arts and crafts, Native American exhibits, living history performances, music, food, and other cultural celebrations that drew large crowds.

Today, many of the original buildings have been restored, and Panama Rocks remains privately owned and open from May through October each year. It continues to attract hikers, campers, festivalgoers, geologists, and curious explorers—just as it has for more than a century. Through all its changes, one thing remains constant: the breathtaking geological maze formed hundreds of millions of years ago still stands as one of western New York’s most unique natural treasures.