TATUM ERICKSON
Special to The Leader
Are you bored? Maybe looking for something new, something a little… strange.
Look no further than Lily Dale, N.Y.
This small town is a bit different from your regular, run-of-the-mill gated community — it’s full of mediums (yes, people who speak to the dead), reiki healers, spiritualists and more.
If you’re feeling tired, visit Sacred Grounds and grab some delicious coffee, tea or a sweet treat before the adventure begins!
Just a few steps into the forest, you’ll find the pet cemetery, filled with beloved animals’ tombstones that tell a story about their past lives.
One of the community’s favorite and most well-known animals, Topsy, was a horse who lived in the 1890s.
She worked hard during the winters hauling ice off the lake, but one day, she fell ill.
Topsy was the first pet in the cemetery, and many other grieving pet parents buried their beloved animals there.
Photo by TATUM ERICKSON | Special to The Leader
Another Lily Dale quirk is the Inspiration Stump. Residents believe that this stump holds strong spiritual power.
In the 1800s and much of the 1900s, mediums would stand on the stump and give readings to crowds.
Now the stump is cemented over, and no one is permitted to stand on it.
But twice daily during the season, mediums gather around the stump to give readings to the crowd.
If you end up visiting, you may be lucky enough to get a message from the dead.
Take a stroll down East Street, and you’ll pass the playground and find yourself at the museum.
Stopping in, an older man will greet you: Ron Nagy.
Nagy knows almost everything there is to know about Lily Dale’s past, from the women’s suffrage movement, Hollywood stars’ visits, town-wide fires, great mediums or healers of the past and more.
Should you get the pleasure of speaking to him, you won’t be disappointed.
Another interesting fact about East Street is that you’ll find the remains of the Fox Sisters’ house.
These women began the spiritualism movement and the diversification of religion in New York State way back in the early 1800s.
Their childhood house was moved to Lily Dale in the 1950s, but it burned down shortly after that.
Beside the remains of the cottage is a small path called the fairy trail, another small hike that Lily Dale has to offer.
Photo by TATUM ERICKSON | Special to The Leader
These are some of the most popular landmarks in this small town, but there are so many other interesting spots to check out.
The people of this town are some of the best folks you’ll meet, not to mention all of the cool shops littered about.
You can purchase crystals, tarot cards, incense, books, antiques, clothing and so much more.
Gate passes are $15 from June 24 to Sept. 4. Outside of that, entry to the town is free.
So plan a trip; it is only a 15-minute drive south of Fredonia.
Lily Dale should definitely be on your to-do list this year.
Photo by TATUM ERICKSON | Special to The Leader