Corning Facts
Fact 1: Floods following 1972's Hurricane Agnes devastated the Corning area, leading to loss of life and extensive property damage. In the wake of such tragedy, a new spirit of unity arose, along with rebuilt homes and industries. A downtown renewal also took place, resulting in the charming ambience that exists today along Historic Market Street.
Fact 2: Built in 1948, Watkins Glen International was busy even before NASCAR returned in 1986.
The 2.45-mile course draws scores of fans to Upstate New York each year, and the region's largest weekend sporting event is the Sirius at the Glen race, part of the NASCAR Nextel Series. It's held each August.
Fact 3: The well-known Corning Classic bears some interesting trivia: The competition is the LPGA's most long-lived, and it has maintained the same primary sponsor and course locale for more than 25 years. For its first 18 years, the Classic also crowned a new champion annually, without repeats. However, Rosie Jones upset the pattern with back-to-back victories in 1996 and 1997.
Fact 4: Corning, NY, was named after Erastus Corning, a wealthy businessman from Albany and one of its mayors. A strong presence in banking and railroad development, Corning was also a US Congressman. A city in Kansas is named for him too, thanks to his railroading influence.
Fact 5: Corning's most prominent employer and business presence is undoubtedly Corning, Inc. The company began as Brooklyn Flint Glass Works in NYC and was renamed following its move in the 1860s. Although glass was initially the company's primary product, fiber optics, ophthalmic items, environmental filters, and glass for LCDs have now been added to Corning's expanded repertoire of goods.
Fact 6: Just north of Corning, and perfect for a day trip, are the Finger Lakes. Named for their long, narrow profiles, the lakes offer a variety of recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, and swimming. Among the lakes are Cayuga, Canandaigua, Keuka, Owasco, Seneca, and Skaneateles.
Fact 7: Twelve miles from Corning, Elmira is known for its associations to writer Mark Twain, whose wife, Olivia Langdon, was a resident. The couple were married at her family home and spent many summers there with her sister and brother-in-law. Twain wrote so much at the home that they had a study built for him, where "Huck Finn" and "Tom Sawyer" were both penned. Twain was finally laid to rest in Elmira's Woodlawn Cemetery.
Fact 8: New York State's two largest attractions (New York City and Niagara Falls) are steeped in sheer size and magnificence. The third, however, is Corning, which takes the other route, showcasing quaint, small-town charm and a thriving glass-making artisan community.
Fact 9: Art glass aficionados often make pilgrimages to Corning to check out the home of Steuben glass. Founded in the early 20th century by Frederick Carder and Thomas Hawkes, the company has produced everything from substantial, engraved items to colorful, organic pieces. Considered to be among the world's finest, most collectible glass, Steuben is handmade from top-quality materials.
Fact 10: Many people recognize Corning as a result of its bakeware, which was originally adorned with a little blue cornflower. Although Corning, Inc. is still its parent company, CorningWare is now manufactured in West Virginia, and its plant isn't open for public tours.
