Canawaugus, New York facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Canawaugus (or Conawagus, or Ca-noh-wa-gas, or Conewaugus) was a Seneca Indian village. The village was located on the west side of the Genesee River, "about a mile above the ford", on the eastern edge of the Town of Caledonia. It was nearly opposite of the Avon sulphur springs. The name (translated as "Cattaraugus" in other Iroquoian languages) means "stinking waters" because of the sulphur.

Canawaugus was one of the most populous of the Seneca villages, with a population approaching 1000 people.

The Seneca religious leader Handsome Lake was born here about 1735. Governor Blacksnake moved here shortly after his birth. Cornplanter was born here around 1750.

It is unclear whether or not the village was destroyed in the Sullivan Expedition of 1779.

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