Watkins Glen Tour Guide

by Gordon D. Cooper

Get the full Watkins Glen, N.Y., experience with this history-rich guide that includes five self-guided tours in and around the village. The book starts with an extensive, photo-rich history of the village of Watkins Glen and surrounding area. The history starts about 350 million years ago when the rocks in Watkins Glen State Park were being formed. Learn about the fierce and proud Seneca warriors who lived in the area and about the first settlers who came to Watkins Glen. The history section also includes the birth of road racing in Watkins Glen as well as the creation of the first wineries.

320 pages, Paperback

Published August 17, 2009

About the author

Born in 1964 in New York City, Gordon D. Cooper moved with his family to Watkins Glen, N.Y., when he was 3 years old. After graduating from Watkins Glen High School in 1983, he attended Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y. and then began a career in electrical engineering. He served for 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserve, including deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo as a public affairs officer, before retiring as a major in 2003. In 2002, he started Preston Woods Publishing Company to promote books of regional interest. Watkins Glen Tour Guide is the first book he has authored. He lives in Northern California with his wife and their three sons.

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never seen such an interesting and thorough tour guide before. I grew up in Watkins Glen yet learned so much I didn’t know. The quantity and quality of the photos, old stereoscope views, postcards and maps are phenomenal.
This is very thorough covering not only the history and architecture of the town but the Glen itself, the old race track on the country roads and through town, and many wineries.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first rate tour guide that combines local history and tour material in a beautiful high gloss edition. I picked this up during a recent visit to the area and found it invaluable. The Glen is a perfect single day hike for a family. With the help of the detailed guide key areas we learned about multiple areas of interest along the way that would have been missed otherwise.

The book itself is a fun read even by itself (unlike most tour guides). There is a wealth of information provided here that I'm still absorbing. For anyone visiting this part of the country this guide is a very worthwhile investment.

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous book - I won it last month in a GoodReads giveaway and it arrived the other day. I've been wanting to visit the area so I was really excited to receive it! Packed with information and lots of beautiful pictures, so even if you can't go there this book would serve the armchair traveler well. I liked the very thorough history in the first section that starts with geology of the region before getting into any history of human habitation. Each section seems to have a number of old pictures/photos to compare with present-day photos and there are many different tours suggested. I think this is one guidebook that I'll read cover-to-cover.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so impressed with this book. I visited Watkins Glen many years ago when I was young. I'm always looking for week-end trips. Now I can go back with new eyes. It starts with a science lesson the turns to the history of the region. Extremely well written - not boring in the least. Then it turns into a tour guide that yells visit "Don't miss this area. It is filled with helpful pictures throughout all sections. I am going to a wedding in Ithaca this August and have decided to extend the trip to check out this area. Can't wait.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great travel guide! I was aware of Watkins Glen previously because of the Grand Prix racing and now I have been able to learn more history about the area. Pictures are wonderful! Hope to plan a trip with the family in the near future and use the book!

[Gina]

Won this through first reads! I am looking forward to reading it and adding a new destination to my never ending travel plans!