Our Community : Bath
Bath, New York is a pleasant town found in the predominantly rural Steuben County. Located in the lush and beautiful Finger Lakes Region of southwestern New York State, Bath serves as county seat to this unique and diverse region. Most of Steuben County is rolling, forested hillsides and fertile valleys, with premier quality vineyards and small family farms. The three main population centers are Bath, and the cities of Corning and Hornell. They each have robust economies and exciting, prosperous futures as the county grows into a major business hub for the Southern Tier region.
Established in 1793, Bath was named for Lady Bath of England. The lovely town square at Pultney Park was the first clearing in Steuben County. Located in Cohocton Valley, the land surrounding Bath is a rolling plateau crossed by sparkling streams and steep-sided ravines. Looking up from the town, working farms can be seen, as well as wooded hillsides, creating a wonderfully rustic and peaceful view.
Just outside of Bath is one the finest hunting and fishing regions in New York. Trout, bass, turkey and deer abound in the pristine waterways and forests. Nearby Stony Brook State Park in Dansville reigns supreme as a magnificent gorge with ancient towering cliffs and tumbling waterfalls, providing spectacular hiking and climbing. Keuka Lake, known as the “Lady of the Lakes"? for its purity and natural splendor, awaits boaters, swimmers and fishermen. Bristol Mountain and Swain Ski Resorts keep Bath residents trim and fit during the winter months, with skiing, snowboarding and tubing. Steuben County, New York is a nature lover’s wonderland.
Also close to Bath is the world famous Watkins Glen International racetrack, which hosts NASCAR races and the Watkins Glen Grand Prix. A large crafts area, the nearby city of Corning is know for its world-class glass making artisans. The Corning Museum of Glass and the Corning Glass Center display the finest marvels of glasswork, while specialty shops offer works of art for sale. Corning also has a nationally known historic Gaffer District, home to more than forty restaurants and over one hundred stores.
The town of Bath holds its own share of master craftsmen, such as stone workers and archery bow makers. Honoring its farming traditions, Bath hosts the Steuben County Agricultural Fair each year, the oldest continuous Fair in the nation. The Bath Fairgrounds are also the site of the annual Lumber Jack and Jill Festival, featuring professional competition in association with the NYS Lumberjack Association. Autumn brings the fun-filled Oktoberfest to Bath, complete with Bavarian food and ales, dancing and scarecrow-stuffing contests. Bath residents celebrate their bountiful region with two Farmer’s Markets each week in Pultney Park, where the very freshest of local produce can be bought. This quaint Victorian park is also the scene of weekly free concerts through the summer.
Census 2000 reported Bath’s population at just over 12,000. Within the town is the village of Bath, with a population of 5,641. With Interstate 86 running directly through the town, residents have easy access to the metropolitan areas of Elmira, Hornell and Corning. Area students have eight excellent institutes of higher learning within a forty miles radius, including SUNY Geneseo, Elmira College and Alfred University.
Bath, New York is a delightful town with wonderfully old-fashioned values. A remarkable place to raise a family or spend a relaxing week’s visit, Bath is near to the modern world, but still refreshingly rural.
