Buttermilk Falls (LeRoy)

Buttermilk Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in New York State. A massive 70-ft U-shaped cascade of porous limestone on Oatka Creek,  impresses not only with its size, but its ever-changing nature in all seasons and a variety of water levels. Like with Akron Falls, LeRoy’s Buttermilk Falls’ karst-like geology carries the creek not just above the rock, but through it. The result: water bursting out from the green-speckled, arena-like cliff-face from all angles. Below the falls is a giant pool, just begging for swimmers. Above the falls is an open spandrel arch bridge that perfectly frames the falls for the photographer. The site is such a gem, the state DEC has had it on their Open Space Conservation Plan, essentially a “Wish List for Parks” for over 15 years.

It’s no wonder that despite the numerous warnings about trespassing, POSTED signs plastering the place, and regular patrols from local authorities, people continue to ignore all of that and make this a regular stop for swimming and yes… cliff jumping. Over the last decade, a number of incidents resulting in injuries and rescues have only proven to strengthen the restrictions and penalties for trespass.

The access road leading in, a former route of the Lehigh Valley Line, and the east side of the creek and falls is owned by The Dolomite Group, a Rochester-based gravel company. They operate a quarry just east of here and use this road for operations. Below the falls, the east and west side of the creek belong to private farms.

Should you visit Buttermilk Falls in LeRoy?

Signs are up. They tell you what the property owners want. They don’t want you to visit.
Local habits continue to persist, trails and parking areas have been blazed and I believe, short of fencing the whole area off, people are going to continue to visit, attempt to swim, fly their drones, and bring more people. That’s their decision and their risk.

I visited well over a decade ago as a part of an environmental study and the place was packed and rowdy. I could totally see owners wanting to reduce their liability and conservationists wanting to reduce that impact on this unique area, but I also understand the allure of such an awesome place.

My recommendation is to obey the law and respect the landowners. If you come across a “No Trespassing” sign, you turn back, no matter what others are doing. That’s what makes you a better person.

Buttermilk Falls Potential

If the town of LeRoy or the state could acquire this land and develop it as a park, it could very well be an attraction that pulls in tourists from afar. While LeRoy has some historic locations of interest in the quaint village, it lacks any public nature parks that can compete or complement the tourism industry in neighboring Letchworth State Park and the Finger Lakes region. It could be a huge boon for the area and a source of pride for the village.

Oatka comes from a Seneca word meaning “Opening.”

Early settlers arrived in the town as early as the 1780s. At the time it was known as Northampton. Oatka Creek was originally called Allen’s Creek, after Ebenezer Allen, who was quite the interesting “Genesee pioneer.“

Buttermilk Falls was originally the name given to the 11 ft tall (at the time) waterfall south of here in the village. Holland Land Company surveyors are said to have recommended settlement on that smaller Oatka Creek falls rather than the 70 ft falls, because harnessing water power on the former was more “probable” given the available technology. The smaller falls was named “Buttermilk” during the first town meeting in 1798. While the larger falls does not seem to have been given the “Buttermilk” moniker in any official records, it took on the name as early as the 1850s on some maps.

The name LeRoy comes from the Jacob Le Roy (of New York City) who purchased the land from the Holland Land Company in 1835 and settled, with his family, in the present-day village.

The Dolomite Group was originally founded as Dolomite Products Company, of Rochester, NY in 1920. John H. Odenbach was the founder, president, and “explosive expert.” The company opened quarries in LeRoy in the 1850s to supply railroads with aggregate for laying track.