Union Springs, NY

Union Springs sits on Cayuga Lake's eastern shore, where the village's name comes from mineral springs that once powered its early industries. Two of the larger springs were dammed into north and south ponds, turning water into power for mills and other businesses. Frontenac Island, ceremonially important to the Cayuga, lies offshore, while Route 90 runs through the village and the waterfront has a boat launch, marinas, and a park. Union Springs is about ten miles west of Auburn, but it is organized around its own water map - springs inside town, Cayuga Lake beside it, and the ponds in between.