Editing Livingston County, New York (section)

=== Water Therapy: Avon Springs and the Jackson Sanitarium ===
[[File:Summer excursion routes and rates (1897) (14572853000).jpg|thumb|View from Sanitorium, 1890s]]
The area around present-day [[Avon, New York|Avon]] and eastern [[Caledonia, New York|Caledonia]] was known by the Seneca as "[[Canawaugus, New York|Canawaugus]]," or "the place of stinking waters" due to the prevalence of [[sulfur]] in the springs on the west side of town. The Seneca believed the water's mineral characteristics had [[Hydrotherapy|health benefits]] long before the white settlers arrived. In 1821, Richard Wadsworth was the first white man in Avon to build a showering box and promote the curative properties of the sulfur water. The reputation of Avon Springs grew throughout the 19th century, peaking just before the [[American Civil War|Civil War era.]] Guests sought health cures as well as relaxation and recreation opportunities in the Genesee Valley. By about 1900, most of the numerous hotels and [[spa]]s were gone.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|title=Avon: Heart of the Genesee Country|last=Preston|first=Marie C.|publisher=Avon Herald-News Inc.|year=1976}}</ref>

Nunda and Dansville also boasted mineral springs and attracted travelers from around the world to enjoy the medicinal effects of water therapy. Most well-known was the sprawling resort in Dansville operated by Dr. James C. Jackson, a leading [[Alternative medicine|holistic health]] advocate and [[Abolitionism|abolitionist]]. Dr. Jackson is credited with inventing [[Granula]], America's first cold [[breakfast cereal]], and along with Dr. Harriet Austen, endorsed exercise and less constraining clothes for women. The resort stayed in the Jackson family until the early 1900s. During [[World War I]], the sanitarium was used by the [[Federal government of the United States|federal government]] as a hospital for wounded soldiers. In 1929, [[Bodybuilding|bodybuilder]] [[Bernarr Macfadden]] bought the facility and named it the Physical Culture Hotel. His larger-than-life personality and national magazine with the same name boosted the popularity of the place into the 1950s.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Castles on the Hill|last=Jackson|first=Ted|publisher=Dansville Area Historical Society|year=2010}}</ref>