Still Growing
In 1953, through the annexation of residential neighborhoods due north and east, Cayuga Heights grew from less than half of one square mile to its present size of 1.82 square miles. Its population grew apace.
In 1994, on the Savage Farm land, which Cornell had owned for some time, Kendal at Ithaca opened its doors, a continuing care residential facility for older adults. Many retired faculty and other villagers, along with Cornell alumni eager to live near their alma mater, sold their homes and moved in. An older version of the Kendal at Ithaca website tells the amusing tale about how Nellie and Dale Corson came to Ithaca and eventually moved into Kendal: |
"The selection of the site was of special interest to Dale Corson, President Emeritus of Cornell University. As a young physicist, he was being recruited to join the faculty at Cornell in the 1940's, and was sent a letter offering him a choice of sites in a faculty housing project "soon to be built" on University property in Cayuga Heights. Dale Corson and his wife Nellie did accept the position at Cornell, but the houses were never built. Exactly 50 years later they moved into Kendal at Ithaca, on the very site of the promised homes!" Kendal at Ithaca (http://www.retirementhomes.com/homes/Detailed/Kendal_At_Ithaca_L20242.html)
Looking to the future, Cayuga Heights continues to attract Cornell faculty and staff, area professionals, graduate students, and, now, retirees. Related to the goals of architectural and environmental preservation stated in the newly adopted comprehensive plan, is sustainability.
As we chart a course to the future we have the opportunity to hold onto our roots in a community where residents can walk or bike to school and work, to run an errand or see a friend.
Beatrice Szekely
Village Historian
2015
Village Historian
2015
"At Home in the Heights"
Centennial Speaker Series, 2015

At Home in the Heights
Panel discussion with long-time residents
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Kendal at Ithaca
Hosted by Ralph Janis, this panel discussion included residents who grew up in Cayuga Heights during different decades and returned to the Village to raise their children. Alison Shull and Steve Flash discussed what the village has meant to them as a community and reflected on the changes they have seen and been a part of.
Made possible, in part, by a Tompkins County Community Celebrations Grant for the Centennial Speaker Series.
Panel discussion with long-time residents
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Kendal at Ithaca
Hosted by Ralph Janis, this panel discussion included residents who grew up in Cayuga Heights during different decades and returned to the Village to raise their children. Alison Shull and Steve Flash discussed what the village has meant to them as a community and reflected on the changes they have seen and been a part of.
Made possible, in part, by a Tompkins County Community Celebrations Grant for the Centennial Speaker Series.
"At Home in the Heights," Part 1
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"At Home in the Heights," Part 2
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