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30-580: The lake's name comes from the now-extinct Erie language . Because the Erie people were defeated in the Beaver Wars before a comprehensive study of their language could be made, its meaning remains unknown and a source of speculation, with two longstanding folk translations being “bag tied in the middle” and “place where fish are taken out,” the latter having some support based on similar words in other Iroquoian languages. A Seneca legend, dating at least to

60-490: A diverse sportfishery, with angling for walleye, muskellunge, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and several species of panfish. Additional species include yellow perch, pumpkinseed, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, white perch, white bass, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, white sucker, common carp, rock bass, longnose gar and golden shiner. Chautauqua Lake is mentioned in at least one episode of I Love Lucy . Lucille Ball (a native of nearby Celoron, New York ), playing

90-564: A lake tour or dinner cruise on The Summer Wind, a large leisure boat that departed from Celoron at the southern end of the lake. The Summer Wind was damaged in a storm in 2019 and missed the 2020 tourist season. The Summer Wind was sold in late 2021 and moved out of Chautauqua County. Two yacht clubs are located at the lake, Chautauqua Lake Yacht Club in Lakewood and Chautauqua Yacht Club in Chautauqua . Chautauqua Lake supports

120-469: Is also the origin and namesake of the Chautauqua adult education movement, which was heavily referenced in the novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig . Erie language Erie is an extinct language, believed to have been Iroquoian , similar to Wyandot , formerly spoken by the Erie people . It was poorly documented, and linguists are not certain that this conclusion

150-564: Is correct. There have been few connections with Europeans and the Erie's with the French, and Dutch being peaceful, while the English being mostly hostile. The names Erie and Eriez are shortened forms of Erielhonan , meaning "long tail", referring to local panthers. The Erie were called the "Cat people" ( Nation du Chat in French; Hodge 1910, Swanton ). At least one loanword survives from

180-600: Is operated by the Sea Lion Project. 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 or southeast to Jamestown to reach Stow. Either way was a 19-mile (31 km) round trip. Residents often purchased a seasonal pass to use the ferry, commuting to Lakewood , Sherman , or other areas west of

210-467: The census of 2000, there were 340 people, 170 households, and 95 families residing in the village. The population density was 850.0 inhabitants per square mile (328.2/km ). There were 218 housing units at an average density of 545.0 per square mile (210.4/km ). The racial makeup of the village was 97.65% White , 0.88% Native American , 0.59% Asian , 0.29% from other races , and 0.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.88% of

240-487: The Erie language: Chautauqua , a word of uncertain definition/translation. Bemus Point, New York Bemus Point is a village in Chautauqua County , New York , United States. The village is within the town of Ellery and is located along the eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake . The population was 312 at the 2020 census. Bemus Point is located along the southwestern edge of the town of Ellery, on

270-498: The age of 65. The male population comprised 46.43% (169 people) of the total population, and the female population comprised 53.57% of the total population. The village is within the Bemus Point Central School District (BPCSD). Bemus Point has a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, basketball courts, a park, and a free boat launch. The village's school district, Bemus Point Central School District,

300-410: The current ferry landing site. Bemus descendants still reside on original family property along Lakeside Drive north of Bemus Street. The village of Bemus Point was incorporated in 1911. A ferry connecting Bemus Point and 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. Today, a cable-drawn ferry exists in its place and

330-605: The days of Seneca diplomat John Cornplanter Abeel , attests to the Chautauqua having a reputation as a "place of easy death." While the lake has a similar geologic structure (a very long, narrow valley) to the Finger Lakes in the east, it is not considered one of the Finger Lakes. Chautauqua Lake runs perpendicular to the westernmost of those lakes (much like an opposable thumb ), lies in a different watershed, and

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360-573: The eastern shore of Chautauqua Lake at 42°9′46″N 79°23′28″W  /  42.16278°N 79.39111°W  / 42.16278; -79.39111 (42.162886, -79.391230). The village is immediately north of the location where Interstate 86 crosses Chautauqua Lake . Access to the village is from exits 9 and 10. According to the United States Census Bureau , the village has a total area of 0.44 square miles (1.13 km ), all land. The area currently known as Bemus Point

390-507: The floating stage series to Mayville. Bemus Point offers The Village Casino, a restaurant and bar that can easily be reached by boat. Boaters are able to tie up at the Casino's dock where waitresses will serve them from their location. This establishment also has historical value in the area and offers nightlife on the lake. Contrary to its name, the Casino does not offer gambling. From the late 1990s until September 2018, visitors could schedule

420-610: The lake are Bemus Point , Maple Springs , Lakewood and Chautauqua , the site of the influential Chautauqua Institution founded in 1874. There are many other settlements located on the lake, including Fluvanna, Greenhurst, Dewittville, Stow, and Ashville Bay. As of February 19, 2008, Chautauqua Lake has the unique distinction of being an unorganized territory within Chautauqua County. Unlike most large bodies of water in New York which are administratively divided up among

450-853: The lake drains to the south, emptying first into the Chadakoin River in Jamestown, New York , before traveling east into Cassadaga Creek and Conewango Creek , south into the Allegheny River in Warren, Pennsylvania , and the Ohio River in Pittsburgh , instead of moving north into the Great Lakes . Chautauqua Creek and Little Chautauqua Creek have their headwaters near the lake, but flow north into lake Erie. The drainage divide

480-704: The lake was the Bemus Point–Stow ferry, a nine-car cable guided ferry, which still operates during the summer months and has become more of a tourist attraction. The cost of the ferry ride is free, though donations are accepted, and it is operated by the Sea Lion Project Ltd. The lake is the home of the Chautauqua Belle , a replica sternwheeler steamboat constructed in 1975 for the US Bicentennial, which offers sightseeing cruises on

510-545: The lake. The Village of Bemus Point has several popular attractions on the lake during the summer months. Prior to 2018, a popular tourist location was the Bemus Point restaurant, The Italian Fisherman, since renamed "The Fish." Prior to its change in name and ownership, the Italian Fisherman boasted a popular floating stage that hosted an annual summertime concert series. As of 2020 plans were underway to move

540-467: 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. Bemus Point hosted the "Bemus Bay Pops" concert, which involved many local musicians, and

570-583: The lake. Every Fourth of July , fireworks are launched from communities around the lake. There is one bridge that connects the opposite sides of the lake, the Veterans Memorial Bridge (also known as the Chautauqua Lake Bridge). The structure was completed on October 30, 1982, and joins Bemus Point to Stow on I-86 (at the time known as Route 17). Prior to the construction of the bridge, the only means for cars to cross

600-433: The population. There were 170 households, of which 18.8% had children under 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.1% were non-families. 38.8% of all households comprised individuals, and 24.7% had someone who was 65 or older living alone. The average household size was 2.00 and the average family size was 2.65. The village's population

630-422: The role of Lucy Ricardo , finds a stuffed and mounted fish in a trunk in her attic and recalls that Ricky caught it at Chautauqua Lake, and was so thrilled that he had mounted and kept it. Chautauqua Lake is of major significance in the novel Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan , published in 2002. The German translation of the title was Abschied von Chautauqua , which means "A Farewell from Chautauqua". It

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660-399: The summer months. Chautauqua Lake is known for its muskellunge fishing and sailing . There are two very popular boating locations on the lake, "Sandy Bottoms" (aka "The Sand Bar") in the northernmost part of the lake, and "Party Bay," located to the east/southeast of Long Point State Park , near Maple Springs. On busy, warm weekends, it is not uncommon to see nearly 100 boats in this area of

690-567: The surrounding towns, villages, and cities, Chautauqua Lake is demarcated by the USGS and U.S. Census Bureau as a nonfunctioning political division of its own. The lake is used primarily for recreation, such as boating and fishing, and tourism. The majority of tourists flock to the Chautauqua Institution , which contains a wide variety of stores and restaurants and is home to live music entertainment and many public lectures during

720-460: The village was $ 19,943. About 3.9% of families and 7.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over. As of the Census of 2010, there were 364 people (an increase of 24 people or 7.06%) and 170 households in the village. The population density was 910.0 inhabitants per square mile (351.4/km ). The racial makeup of the village

750-448: Was 96.43% (351 people) white, 2.20% (8 people) Asian, 0.28% (1 person) other, and 1.10% (4 people) of two or more races. The Hispanic/Latino population of any race was 0.28% (1 person). The population was spread out, with 19.23% (70 people) under the age of 18, 2.20% (8 people) ages 18 and 19, 3.02% (11 people) ages 20–24, 4.40% (16 people) ages 25–34, 19.78% (72 people) ages 35–49, 25.55% (93 people) ages 50–64, and 25.82% (94 people) over

780-524: 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. As of

810-476: Was likely formed by a different process. Chautauqua Lake, at an elevation of 1,308 feet (399 m) above sea level, is higher than any of the Finger Lakes. It is also one of the highest navigable lakes in North America. The lake's water level is regulated by Warner Dam, with the water level lifted during the summer to allow for recreational boat use and lowered during the winter months. The water from

840-575: 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 500 to 660 feet (150 to 200 m) northeast of

870-517: Was spanned by Pierre-Joseph Céloron de Blainville in his 1749 Ohio River expedition that started from Montreal, and the town of Celoron at the southern end of the lake is named for him. The lake's drainage area is about 180 square miles (470 km). Also at the southern end of the lake is the City of Jamestown while the Village of Mayville is located at the northern end. Other communities located on

900-472: Was spread out, with 17.6% under 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 23.5% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 27.6% who were 65 or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.5 males. The median income for a household in the village was $ 33,333, and the median income for a family was $ 46,250. Males had a median income of $ 37,708 versus $ 25,625 for females. The per capita income for

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