Editing Hammondsport, New York (section)

===Wine industry===
Reverend Bostwick planted the first grapevines in a garden at his rectory in 1830. He soon discovered that the surrounding region would be ideal for growing imported grape vines and planted the first vines in the slopes around Keuka Lake, which established the wine country and its subsequent wine industry in the western [[Finger Lakes]] region.  The first townspeople to take vine cuttings from Bostwick's vines were John Poppino,  Lemuel Hastings and George McClure. Beginning with Andrew Swartout in 1852, grapes from vineyards around the lake were being shipped by boat to  Hammondsport, then by wagons, and then by the  [[B&H Rail Corporation|Bath & Hammondsport Railroad]] to where it connected to the  [[Erie Railroad]] at the  [[Bath, NY|Bath]]  railroad station and transported to [[New York City|New York]]. Subsequently, the demand for fresh grapes in New York increased dramatically, which in turn greatly promoted the wine industry in and around Hammondsport.<ref name=sherer1989/> After the flood of 1935 the Bath & Hammondsport Railroad was purchased by local interests and renamed the B & H Railroad. The railroad remained in operation for 120 years.<ref name=palmer1994>[[#palmer1994|Palmer, 1994]], Journal article</ref> By 1870, Hammondsport had  3000 acres of vineyards; by 1879, 5000 acres; and by 1889, 14,500 acres.<ref name=church>[[#st'james|St. James' Church History, Hammondsport, New York]]</ref><ref name="sherer1989"/>  Subsequently, Hammondsport is considered the heart of the grape-growing region in New York.<ref>[[#curtiss1922|Curtiss,1922]], p. 8</ref>

The [[Crooked Lake Canal]], after much deliberation with state officials, and labor disputes, was completed in three years and opened in 1833, connecting Hammondsport and the Town of Urbana to the [[Erie Canal]]. At a width of 42 feet, the canal was built to accommodate the same size boats in use on the Erie Canal.<ref name=dumas>[[#dumas1990|Dumas,1990]], Journal article</ref><ref name=bretherton>[[#urbana1822|Bretherton, 2023]], Essay</ref> With access via the [[Seneca Canal]] to the Erie Canal, which led to the [[Hudson River]], it became possible to ship goods between Hammondsport and  New York City by boat.<ref name=sherer95/>  When the Bath and Hammondsport railroad opened in 1874 the canal became obsolete. Subsequently, the canal was financially forced to close in 1877.<ref name=dumas/><ref name=bretherton/>