The Communities We Serve

Chautauqua County has long been a special place Chautauqua Lake Sunset to live, work and raise a family as well as to visit. The presence of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, with its 45 miles of shoreline, has been a key factor in driving the economic growth and development of the region dating back to the first settlers in the early nineteenth century when, in 1810, the first log cabin home was built in what would later become the City of Jamestown along the Chadakoin River off the southern end of the lake. This location was chosen as the birthplace of the city because the rapid river water current was the ideal energy source for powering the grist and sawmills making up the first business activity in the area.

Local residents and vacationers alike have come to expect the best in recreational and cultural opportunities in the Chautauqua region. During the summer months, the lake is the primary focus of activity. It supports a wide variety of boating – both power and sail – and water sports including swimming, waterskiing, and some of the finest freshwater fishing to be found anywhere. Chautauqua Institution, with its nine-week summer season, offers diverse programs in education, religion, music and the arts. In the lakeside villages of Mayville, Lakewood, Bemus Point, Celoron and Westfield, one can find shops, restaurants, and entertainment to please any taste. A floating stage just offshore in Bemus Point is a summer-long venue that features movies, live musical groups, the annual Chautauqua Lake Idol competition, and the Bemus Bay Pops orchestra – all free of charge.