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Click to Enlarge all Picts
Town Seal / Village Seal
Welcome!
Welcome! - The electronic version featuring
town happenings and goings on.
Young Street
The Nook - Pupular breakfast & lunch cafe
Catholic Church
Methodist Church
Have a Picnic here.
Once Wilson's principal employer.
Sunset Island Home
Sunset Island Homes
Sunset Island Home
Triathlon
Triathlon
Triathlon
Signs pointing the way
Wilson Harbour (west)
Tuscarora State Park Marina
Bridge to Wilson Y.C.
Tuscarora Yacht Club
Boat House Restaurant & Bar
Ed's Country Restaurant & Bar
Wilson Boat Yard Marina
Leisure time at Harbor Entrance
Leisure time at Harbor Entrance
Harbor side Art gallery
Just what it says
Patriots Statue
Town Folks
Ira Pettit: This Historical Plaque stands in front of cobblestone house #2 and was the home of the father of Private Ira Pettit of Company B, 11th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, United States Army during the War Between the States. Ira died at age 23 in Andersonville prison Sumter County, Georgia, of scurvy after capture. His personal diary was given to his Father and later published as "Diary of a Dead ManÓ
Morgan Johnson: This Historical Plaque can be found in front of cobblestone house #4 and was the home of ship captain Morgan Johnson who built his home in 1844. His ship, the "Milly Cook" caught fire and sank in Wilson Harbor. The spot is still known today as Milly Cook Cove. The anchor on the lawn is from the schooner "Franklin Pierce", which sank in 1840. The anchor was found near Wilson pier 57 years later!
Billy Sherman, the Confederate Horse from Wilson
(More Info)
Town Gnome
Daisy Barn RV Park
Wilson Harbor WebCam
Wilson Weather
Geodetic / Nautical Chart
(wide angle)
Inquiries? sandy@motuiti.com
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Wilson on the Lake
WilsonOnTheLake.com
Updated Annually (last update - August '09)
by Sandy Estabrook
Click for detailed village map Click for detailed county map
Sunset Island
Sunset Island - western end (take fromTuscarora State Park)
Sunset on the Lake
Toronto in the Distance (telephoto)
The Niagara County Village of Wilson is a sleepy one stop-light village and farming community of little change over the last couple decades. 2008 saw its sesquicentennial. It lies on Lake Ontario 20 miles east of Niagara , 62 miles west of Rochester and 37 miles across the lake from Toronto. It's just blocks off Route 18 know as The Seaway Trail. Wilson ia also the name of the township (pop 5840 as of 2000). It's largest employer had been the Pfeiffer Salad Dressing plant which closed in 2009.
In contrast to its rural farming character, by summer Wilson turns into the home of vacationers and yachtsmen. Most of the aforementioned is centered around Wilson Harbor and its numerous yacht clubs, commercial marinas, restaurants and the residences of Sunset Island. Once maritime interests of a different variety prevailed here including boat building, fishing, farm produce distribution and in 1848 Wilson Harbor became a Port of Entry. (Info)
I started visiting Wilson a some years back and have been coming every year since. My wife grew up in Wilson and introduced me to the area with periodic visits to her folks who live on the Harbor. She also introduced me to the regions favorite sandwich - Beef on Weck. In '06, the summer I first prepared this website, we bought our "own place" right on the lake front at the Daisy Barn Camp Site and RV Park.
Being a boater and island hopper by nature I've always gravitated to the seaside where ever it be; in the States, Europe and of course tropical islands especially the Abacos were we spend a month before heading to Wilson. Wilson NY, has now become my first, first hand experience of any consequence lakeside. Ergo, the purpose of this website, which is: to pass along my impressions of Wilson and it's environs from the perspective of a this vacationer, boater and water lover. It's intended to be used as a guide for those first time visitors whether one arrives by land or by lake and it is updated every summer.
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As mentioned Wilson is a sleepy one stop-light village with many victorian homes lining its side streets. It lies just 5 - 6 blocks from the lake front at Wilson Harbor. The village has what one might expect namely, an IGA market, one bank (HSBC) reminiscent of the Bonny & Clyde era, pizzeria, one gas station / convience store, a combination lawn garden and pet shop, plus an assorted other half dozen stores. Sadly, the liquor store went out of business as of 2006 (is there a business opportunity here?) and by 2009 the hardware store was gone. The closest of either about 15 miles away. There are a couple vintage bars that open when the bank opens. There are two restaurants, not the least of which is the charming and historic Wilson House Inn and Restaurant, It is one of the few places to stay in Wilson. The cobblestone structure was built in 1844 for Luther Wilson, the town's namesake, and was once a men's club with a bowling alley in the basement (more on Cobblestone below). The other is The Nook a casual and popular spot for breakfast, lunch and light dinner. There are easily a half a dozen historic churches in and around town covering all the major Christian faiths.
Wilson House Inn & Restaurant (in town)
Niagara Motorcycle Club's Wilson Rendezvous. (Click for large montage)
Despite the rural atmosphere, there are many annual events scheduled by the town not generally associated with a town its size. Every summer starts off with a giant flee market and fair on Memorial Day. It repeats on Labor Day weekend all be it not quite as large. There is a annual triathlon, and five K race. The Niagara County Motorcycle Club congregates for the annual Wilson rendezvous. There is an annual Wine Tasting & Fair at the end of July featuring numerous Niagara County vineyards. All events attract visitors from far and wide including Canada. Check the towns Calendar of Events for specific dates.
Field Day Parade
By far the biggest event is "Field Day" held the last weekend in August to raise money for the Volunteer Fire Dept. It's Wilson's major event and a place to rub shoulders with the locals. Field Day is duplicated by many of the regions neighboring villages. In each community's Field Day, neighboring towns "contribute" bands, floats, Classic Fire Trucks etc. for their parade. Essentially Field Day is a small town carnival with Wilson's being one of the largest with mini rides for the kids, games of chance, food stands featuring local fare with a beer hall set up in the fire house accompanied by the music of a marching band. Regarding the latter, the Village of Sandborne's band reigns supreme attracting members from throughout the region. Sadly we've learned than some of Niagara Counties villages have stopped their Field Day activities with others on the cutting block. A way of life for generations, going into the history books with Wilson's still surviving.
One of the organizers for such events is the WCEC (Wilson Community Enhancement Charity). For more information Click here, In addition to the town sporting events, the WCEC, provided Wilson with its first ever high-speed wireless internet (WiFi) hotspot. The hotspot covers the Boat House/Boatyard waterfront, Clark's Park, the town gazebo and lookout on Ontario St., and portions of the Wilson Pier, Tuscarora Yacht Club and Sunset Island.
Just a couple miles east of the village on Route 18 you find Wilson-Tuscarora State Park. It's right on the lake and has many offerings, not the least of which is a regionally favorite sport called Disc Golf. I have to admit, I never knew there was such a sport until first seeing it played in '06. As the name implies, it's a cross between Frisbee and Golf. It's played in wide open areas like a golf course and very popular in this region. Want to know more?
Greenwood Veterans Memorial Park
Memorial Day 2007, saw the opening of Greenwood Veterans Memorial Park. It's a stones throw from the harbor's clubs and restaurants and truly a magnificently uplifting and spiritual spot commemorating the Wilson men and woman who contributed to their nation. More information and pictures can be found by clicking on the picture above.
Sunset Grill (on the 12 Mile Creek)
Wilson Boat House (on the harbor)
Wilson Harbor is were the action is. Here you'll find three Yacht Clubs, namely the exclusive Tuscarora Yacht Club on Clark Island (Aerial), the Island Yacht Club, and the Wilson Yacht Club,(Aerial). They all have some type of reciprocation with other Lake Ontario clubs. Nearby you'll find Moyer's Marina and the Sunset Bay Marina with popular Sunset Grill. The slips of the aforementioned get crowded in the summer as they are popular stop for the cruising sailors from the US and Canada.
Many of the harbor area homes are second homes for folks who also come from around the country and Canada. This is especially true of the exclusive enclave of Sunset Island on the Harbors north side which is primarily accessible only by boat. (There is a service road through the state park that opens only occasionally)
The Harbors action spot, on the east side, is The Wilson Boat House Restaurant. It is a fun spot and there's usually live music on weekends. In 2009, management changed hands including a new chef. Our group of four, all ordering different selections, were totally impressed! Selections ranged from Ahi Tuna, to Loin Lamb Chops. Three and a half stars for the new chef. It's more expensive than others in the area but worth it for their new chef and ambiance. It gets very noisy inside so head to one of the ourside porches if weather permits.
What might seem like part of the same establishment due to their proximity, is the separate Wilson Boatyard Marina, including a half dozen gift shops. Here is a combination I never saw - wine & ice cream store! Of course the state requires them to partition the two, so a nice wooden lattice fence is in place. The shops sales person, we found, attends to both, running back and forth through a gate in the divider. The wines featured here are all from the Niagara region and cost from $11 to $14 a bottle. On our 2009 visit after tasting quite a few we settled in on a Red table "Quaker Red Rougon" the close thing to a Chianti Classico I could find. Our second choice was the this part of the world's regional favorite, Riesling. Both were from The Becker Farms Vizvarra Vineyards, They ship.
The Marina also provides four rooms for rent. Not to be overlooked are the fishing and sailing charters available here. If you prefer, rent a Kayak or take a complementary boat ride around the harbor. The young captains work for tips only. A B.C. Sophmore named Will ges us an excelent tour. If fishing is your thing another alternate site you might want to check out is the Western Lake Ontario fishing guide. Also included here is all sorts of information on the neighboring town of Olcott. One guide who hangs his hat in Wilson by summer of whom I'm personally familiar is Kelly Bob. He'd be happy to run you off shore for a nice salmon or two, 412-271-6636. Another guide that comes to mind is Dan Evans. He is at LoneWolfSportfishing.com. Both are USCG captains.
Lake vewing lookout
Across the parking lot from the Boat House is Clark's Park and pool. It's a popular family spot for cooling off during summer days. Here, barbecues (IE: Christmas in July party) are scheduled through out the summer. and movies are shown on selected evenings.
Oh, don't forget a stop at Brownies Drive-In. It's right on Route 18 between the yacht clubs and the Boat House, You cant miss it. For some local color head west on 18 to Ed's Country Store. It's more a bar and restaurant serving breakfast (7am), lunch and dinner. There is even a detached clam bar open three nights a week serving cajun food. Occasionally they have a band and even a friendly poker or youker game. Like I said it's frequented by the locals. The bar is limited prety much to just two brands of everything; vodka, bourbon, scotch, rum, gin, canadian etc. etc. In the scotch catagory, my choise, they had one I never heard of and Chivas Regal all at 3.00 to 3.25! Depending on who's bartending. Oh, dont forget to ask about their nightly special, and two for one Beef on Weck. If your lucky there will still be some left.
During earlier trips we started making it a point to sample Beef on Weck at all the establishments in Wilson and they all serve it, even Brownies. Our ratings are still the Sunset Grill being no. 1 and Ed's being no. 2.
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When I first came to Wilson in 2001, I was taken aback with it's lovely and energetic harbor environment. Although live aboard sailors and boaters have little concern, there are few places to stay in the immediate area. Those that are, have been mentioned above. Further east and west along route 18 you'll come across other accommodations. One of these is the Lakeview Motel and Cottages. It's a new establishment about 7 miles west of Wilson. Their motel opened in '06 and in '07 they added the cottages. It's run by Chris Nowacki and her husband.
Fall is a beautiful time as one might expect with the leaves changing. Add to that the harbor hustle and bustle with all the boats being hauled out in preparation for the harbor freeze. It should also be mentioned, the surrounding establishments close mid fall through mid spring with the exception of the Boat House which stays open a bit later.
As a result employees are seasonal including the restaurant chefs. In my search for a restaurant of some ambiance, quality food and presentation, one has to drive about 20 minutes from Wilson to Sanborn and the Schimschack's Restaurant. It's built on the edge of the Niagara Escarpment with their tiered dining room giving each table a panoramic view of Niagara County's farm lands, orchards and vineyards below. For additional fine dining, your best bet would be to head west to the artsy town of Lewiston where you'll find numerous fine dining with some ethnic variety. Our favorite restaurant has been Carmelo's Coat of Arms. When last visited, the four of us concluded we would liken Carmelo's to one of the best in all of Western NY including Buffalo. Both the aforementioned are a worthwhile trip from Wilson, but make a reservation. For a listing of all Niagara County's lake region restaurants, click here.
Western New York has much to offer travelers within 20 miles of Wilson, not the least of which is Niagara Falls. Aside from that, not far from Wilson is the local wine country, the historic Erie Canal city of Lockport, state parks and forts. And don't forget a stop at the charming and picturesque Niagara River towns of Lewiston noted for with their praiseworthy Jazz Fest, Art Fest, Outdoor Concerts and more. And also Youngstown with it's must see Old Fort Niagara. And finally, to Wilson's east, on the lake, the sport fishing harborage of Olcott.
- Wilson Homes -
- Historic Cobblestone Homes -
Prior to the Civil War through in the 1800's, in Western NY, many homes were built of cobblestone. The rounded polished rock of Lake Ontario was quite plentiful along lake beaches, and a nuisance to farmers. Many of these homes have been well maintained over the years and quite a few are located here in Wilson. Most of those are on Maple Road and one that we know of, will be soon part of the US Registry of Historic Homes. Two of the homes shown here have historical redidents of significance as noted on the left column. Click here for more info and a NYTimes Article A close-up of the masonary work on home #1 is here.
- Wilson Harbor Scene -
  
- Signs Along the Way -
  
PS - A funny story. I live in Sarasota, Fl. I volunteer at their community hospital on Monday and Thursdays. One day a new volunteer joined the Thursday team. The usual conversation developed "where are you from" etc. He told me he was a retired orthodontist from Lockport NY. Wow I said, I'll be spending my summer in Wilson NY a few miles away. His reply was that he will be too, on Sunset Island! Small world. (And what if he chose another day to volunteer?). Naturally we connected and became good friends.
Order Wilson Book? sales@arcadiapublishing.com
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