Cortland County

Established on April 8, 1808, Cortland County named for Pierre Van Cortlandt, president of the convention at Kingston that wrote the first New York State Constitution in 1777, and first lieutenant governor of the state. Cortland County was formed from the southern portion of what was then Onondaga County. The county seat is Cortland. The famed Cortland apple is named for the county. Located in the glaciated Appalachian Plateau area of Central New York State, midway between Syracuse and Binghamton, this predominantly rural county is the southeastern gateway to the Finger Lakes Region. Scattered archaeological evidence indicates three different aboriginal cultures hunted the area beginning about 1500 AD. From its beginnings Cortland County has had a strong agricultural economy. While the small family dairy farms of the past have dwindled, large dairy operations and abundant crop farming continues. Cortlands strong agricultural background contributed to the decision by dairy products...