Seneca Estates, Where Land and Water Meet

One Person's Trash Is Another One's Treasure

A friend and neighbor of mine found a treasure amongst items headed for the garbage at an estate sale last fall. The homeowner had passed away, and the deceased's daughter was throwing out a bunch of papers and things she considered junk. My friend found a stack of  promotional flyers describing our development,  Seneca Estates, as having “Incomparable Home Sites” and “Superb Recreational Facilities”. They were used to attract home buyers in the 1970’s (we think) who wanted to build their dream home in a dream neighborhood. 

The cover reads “Seneca Estates…..Where Land and Water Meet”, and the back shows its location in relation to Syracuse, major highways, and surrounding lakes. The piece unfolds to reveal a map on the opposite side (not shown here) showing the homesites, streets, and locations of the park, tennis courts, and marina.  Inside there are illustrations typical of the 1970’s depicting the many enjoyable activities awaiting prospective home buyers such as biking, fishing, boating, and tennis. Some of the copy reads: 

“Seneca Estates, a residential development representing a return to the original suburban concept, is located along the Seneca River at Baldwinsville. It has impressive physical features for recreation and privacy, in an area where the natural background of land and water is being both conserved and enhanced. 

To new home owners, Seneca Estates provides a parklike environment, conducive to a relaxed family life style, offering a variety of leisure time recreational facilities.

Without question, these are the finest and most desirable home sites available in Central New York.”

Though times have changed since many of these fine homes were built, the original Seneca Estates, as well as the newer Crane’s Watch, continues to live up to its claims as “an ideal environment for total family living, privacy, and relaxation—a constant pleasure.”