Manager Carol Powers Discusses Longevity & The Backdrop Of Lake Ontario In Sodus Point, NY
Ever wanted to visit the site of a World War II P.O.W. Camp? How about the location of a safe house that was used during the Underground Railroad? Sodus Point, New York is home to these historical landmarks. Travelers looking for a location with rich history, plentiful wildlife and the chance to meet people from all over the world come to South Shore RV Park along Lake Ontario for an experience like no other.
“I've lived at the South Shore RV Park for 16 years,” said Carol Bowers, the 78 year old woman running the show. “I was born and brought up not that far from here. I love the history and the people. This area makes me so happy and I want to [feel] welcome [here].
At any given time at South Shore, there are people camping from Massachusetts, California, Norway and Australia. In fact, Bowers said the campsite should be called the “South Shore International RV Park, because we get so many people from different countries.” Situated on the Seaway Trail, which goes along the waterways in New York, Sodus Point is often a rest stop for cyclists, cross-country travelers and people looking to relax somewhere and fish.
While families are commonplace at South Shore, Bowers does not encourage a lot of children to visit the park because of its location right on a cliff, 50 feet above the water line. The location makes for a great view with great sunsets, one of Bowers' favorite parts of South Shore RV Park.
“[Many of our guests] come to our park because we are right on the Lake Ontario, which many people have never seen. It's comical because some people think it's an ocean.” said Bowers'. “You can just sit [on the cliff] and enjoy the eagles who fly by.”
Only a few days ago, a couple camping at South Shore ended up with a giant fish on their camper's patio. Bowers and many other campers had watched an eagle fly over the campsite and lose its hold on the fish: “It was a real big shocker when the guy stepped out of his camper.”
Being up close with nature is just one piece of South Shore's international appeal. The town's rich history provides visitors with a unique experience that can't be replicated anywhere else. One of the town's popular draws is its lighthouse, which dates back to 1825.
“We have one of the only original lighthouses [in the area] where you can climb to the top. Most are closed,” said Bowers. “I know [this for] a fact because I went on a lighthouse tour three years ago and was amazed when I heard that most of these lighthouses are closed down.”
Now a museum and popular wedding ceremony backdrop, the lighthouse was once very useful for the import shipments coming in and out of Lake Ontario by ship. Not that there was never any mishaps: Sodus Point is known for three major shipwrecks in the mid-1800s, including the Canadian schooner Orcadian, Canadian-built schooner Etta Belle and three-masted Canadian schooner Queen of the Lakes. Scientists and divers still research these shipwrecks to this day.
Sodus Point is also home to several safe houses that were used to harbor “Freedom Seekers,” including what is now Maxwell Creek B & B, Silver Waters B & B, the old Cohn Farm and the Sodus Fruit Farm. Sodus Point ran a schooner out of the old Ore Dock that would pick up slaves on its way to Canada. Many well-known abolitionists lived in Sodus Point, including Jacob Buys, Dr. William Cooke and Josiah Rice.
Sodus Point is also situated right in the area where there was once a World War II P.O.W. camp that was home to 115 German prisoners of war in 1944, most of whom were set to work immediately, taking care of the property. But every few days, the guards would march around 30 prisoners down the road to the west, where they played soccer on a field belonging to the Proseus Farm.
“A gentleman down the road from me grew up during that time,” said Bowers (who noted that it's all “before my time, although I'm almost 80 years old”). “He used to play soccer with the prisoners. I never liked history in school, but I'm more interested in it now that I live here. It's amazing what went on in this place. If you're interested in history at all, it's so interesting to be here. It's extremely fascinating… I'll put it that way.”
But what Bowers truly enjoys the most isn't the wildlife (although she can see deer in the woods right out her kitchen window) or the rich, vast history of the town. It's all of the people who pass through. That's what makes her continue on.
“It's a warm, friendly park. I call it my South Shore family. Everyone cares about the other person, which is important for an RV park. It's a clean park. We have people that like it so much they camp here every other weekend,” Bowers gushes. “It's amazing how welcoming everyone is. You get warm-fuzzies, a fuzzy feeling you get when you come in here. You feel like you've come home.”
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
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South Shore RV Park in Sodus Point, NY has spectacular Lake Ontario views and sunsets and is located in the historic, resort village of Sodus Point, 35 miles east of Rochester, New York.