Editing Bemus Point, New York (section)

== History ==
The area currently known as Bemus Point was once part of the territory of the Erielhonan or [[Erie People]] Indigenous tribe, first colonized by [[William Bemus]] in 1806. Bemus had purchased land on both sides of [[Chautauqua Lake]] from the [[Holland Land Company]] in 1805 for $1.50. He moved his family to the east side of the lake (in the area now known as Bemus Point) on March 9, 1806. The Bemus family lived in a log cabin approximately {{convert|500|to|660|ft}} northeast of the current ferry landing site. Bemus descendants still reside on original family property along Lakeside Drive north of Bemus Street.<ref name="History">[http://www.bemuspt.com/About/Default.asp History of Bemus Point] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221092015/http://www.bemuspt.com/About/Default.asp |date=December 21, 2007 }}</ref>

The village of Bemus Point was incorporated in 1911.

A [[ferry]] connecting Bemus Point and [[North Harmony, New York|Stow]] was founded in 1811 by Thomas Bemus. The original ferry was a raft built by Thomas and had to be poled across the lake.<ref name="History" /> Today, a [[cable ferry|cable-drawn ferry]] exists in its place and is operated by the Sea Lion Project.<ref name="Sea Lion Project LTD">[http://www.sealionprojectltd.com Sea Lion Project Ltd.]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614143303/http://www.sealionprojectltd.com/ |date=June 14, 2013 }}</ref> Until the nearby bridge (now part of I-86) opened October 30, 1982, the Bemus-Stow Ferry was the only way to cross [[Chautauqua Lake]]. When closed for the winter months, motorists had to travel northwest to [[Mayville, New York|Mayville]] or southeast to [[Jamestown, New York|Jamestown]] to reach Stow. Either way was a {{convert|19|mi|adj=on}} round trip. Residents often purchased a seasonal pass to use the ferry, commuting to [[Lakewood, New York|Lakewood]], [[Sherman, New York|Sherman]], or other areas west of the lake.

Throughout the 1800s, Bemus Point gained popularity as a tourist destination, which promoted its growth and development. By the early 1900s, a dance hall known as the Village Casino, which still exists under the same name, became a well-known venue for entertainment, particularly [[big band]] music.<ref name="History" />

Bemus Point hosted the "Bemus Bay Pops" concert, which involved many local musicians, and was also host to the "Chautauqua Lake Voices", similar to ''[[American Idol]]''.

The village volunteer fire department was chartered in 1920 and began its operations with a Model T fire truck. Today, the Bemus Point Volunteer Fire Department continues to serve the village's residents and the surrounding community.

Today, Bemus Point is still a popular summer tourist destination, with a large influx of summer visitors.