Chonodote, Native American settlement near Cayuga Lake, New York.
Chonodote was a settlement on the east side of Cayuga Lake that included fourteen longhouses beside a large peach orchard containing over one thousand trees. The layout took advantage of the shoreline and fertile ground inland.
The settlement was destroyed on September 24, 1779, during the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign under William Butler's command. The destruction was systematic, involving the burning of all structures and the cutting of the orchard trees.
The Cayuga people called this settlement Deawendote, meaning village of constant dawn, reflecting their connection to the lakeside location. The name later changed to Chonodote, marking a shift in how the place was known.
A historical marker in front of the Aurora Inn identifies the settlement's location for visitors. The site can be visited easily by referencing the marker as a starting point for understanding the area.
Archaeological excavations in Aurora uncovered pottery fragments and coal residue from the 1770s at the original village site. These findings reveal that residents were already using coal, suggesting advanced practices.
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