Tioga Point

Katie Replogle came through again today, with another painting by my grandmother.  This one of Tioga Point, Athens, painted for a family named Lucy many years ago.  Liz and Chuck Lucy donated the painting to the Spalding Memorial Library.

Tioga Point by Mary Wands Campbell

Tioga Point was the original name of Athens, and the scenic spot has always been dear to my grandparents.  Below a photo taken by my grandfather, Herbert Campbell, from a slightly different angle.

Tioga Point photo by Herbert Campbell

My grandmother was so taken with Tioga Point, she even penned a poem under the nom de plume of Cayenne Pepper, about why Athens should have been named Tioga Point instead of the second-hand name of Athens.

Athens Should be Named Tioga Point
by Cayenne Pepper

Old Athens, in the grandeur of her gracious, golden prime,
Never had a fortune-teller give her warning of the time
When her fame would be all story, and her monument of glory,
Be "forty-leven" namesakes in a far and foreign clime.

One, they tell me, Mother Athens, is in every state but four!
I've held a list in my own fist, that totaled to a score.
There's Athens, Penn., and Athens, Tenn., it is not far to hie
From the one that happens nearest to another.  Here's the
Clearest case of any place, within my ken, of fingers in the pie.

We should honor ancient Athens - but for us, oh how I wish,
We could serve our share honor in some other sort of dish.
Then, who knows but ancient Athens, too, might take it as disgrace,
And change her will, or send a bill, if she should see the place.

For all these other Athenses there may be some excuse,
And for the Romes and Parises, but was there any use
In taking on a borrowed tag right here where there was found
A name on hand (the one they canned) upon this very ground?
By this historic water way, from this same soil it sprung,
In olden days of legend that was told in native tongue.

They cast away, one happy day, their rightful name and more-
Picked a second-handed label that was overworked before.
They sought, tis thought, distinction.  O famed of foolish ways!
They left the balmy frying pan - to blister in the blaze.

Sweet to the sweet, and otherwise, oh could it come to pass!
How I'd like to smite the sinners with the jawbone of an ass.
And had I Samson's mighty strength, I'd not hold back a mite.
I'd pick the most propitious place and swat him good and right
Who took the map upon his lap of this fair spot we see -
And wrote the name of Athens where Tioga Point should be.