Due to the completion of Locks 2 & 3 in 1915 this artificial body of water was created. The New York State Board of Geographic Names did not favor the adoption of the term “lake” for any of the new backwater or artificial water bodies that have been created in the course of construction operations for the barge canal. The Board also wanted the name of this new body of water to have some historical context or be related to the scenery in the area. The name Silsby Lake was suggested to be named after the Silsby Manufacturing Company, which was the last fire engine company still operating in Seneca Falls. Many Native American names were also suggested for the tiny lake in Seneca Falls. Mynderse Van Cleef, a former Seneca Falls resident who was then living in Ithaca, offered to the Seneca Falls board of trustees a $500 contribution toward improving the surroundings of this body of water if they would permit him to select the name for this new village lake, but this was not accepted by the Board of Trustees as Van Cleef wasn't a resident at the time. Oddly enough, the name Van Cleef is very popular is the history of Seneca Falls. Lawrence Van Cleef is said to be the first European American to settle here. The lake however is not named after Lawrence, but his son George Cunningham Van Cleef. A historic marker near the lake reads, “Named for George Cunningham Van Cleef, one of first white children born in Seneca County, 1797."
You might look a bit sketchy if you come at night. Cache is a small sized lock n' lock.
Make sure to replace the cache as you found it!