Your Favorite Ice Cream Treat Is 131 Years Old & From Upstate NY

Did you know that one of your ice cream favorites was originally created here in Upstate New York? But where exactly?

Go back 131 years ago, and the first ice cream sundae was born. It was on April 5th, 1892 over in Ithaca, New York. Platt & Colt's Pharmacy on State Street put out an ad in the Ithaca Daily Journal asking for locals to come try their new "Cherry Sunday". Back then it only cost 10 cents.

Credit - John Kucko

How Did It Come About?

Legend has it... Chester Pratt, owner of the Pharmacy, would always be paid a visit by Reverend John M. Scott from the Unitarian Church after services. When they would meet, Pratt would always make Reverend Scott a dish of vanilla ice cream, with syrup and a cherry on top.

The priest said it was so good and should be shared with more people than just himself. Since it was made on a Sunday, for church services, Reverend Scott suggested naming it after the day. The spelling was later changed to "sundae" to avoid offending anyone at the time.

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Is The Pharmacy Still There?

The simple answer to this, is no. Platt & Colt's Pharmacy was originally located down on State Street in Ithaca. What's now in it's place is known as the Ithaca Commons, which is the center for food, arts, and other goods in the city.

What's left in the Pharmacy's place is a small engraving on the sidewalk. It is there to commemorate the origin of the ice cream sundae, and serve as a piece of history for the City of Ithaca.

Credit - John Kucko

Ithaca isn't the only place to claim themselves as the inventor of the ice cream sundae though. Other cities and towns claiming to be the birthplace include Cleveland; New Orleans; New York City; Plainfield, Illinois; and Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Though Two Rivers also has their own historical marker in place, Ithaca has the earliest printed proof from the 1982 newspaper.

You think that's cool? Check out these other fun facts about Upstate New York you may not have known before.

The Most Head-Scratching List Of Upstate New York Trivia You Have Ever Read!

Wait....is that Mr. Ed in the photo above? What on earth could that talking horse have to do with Upstate New York?

OK...trivia time! Where is the geographic center of New York State? Where are all the lollipop, corn dog, and cotton candy sticks made? Where is the oldest (and shortest) covered bridge in the U.S.? Where is the most visited celebrity grave of all located? Is there really such a thing as a two-story brick outhouse, and if so where the heck is it?

Well, if you answered "Upstate New York" to all of these you are right. And you will definitely enjoy this delicious list of trivia about our region!

Everybody loves a good story, or some head-scratching trivia facts. This list pulls the curtain back on nearly 40 amazing pieces of Upstate New York history you probably didn't know about. Are they earth-shaking? No. Are they interesting? Definitely!

Whatever happened to "that kid" in the Willie Wonka movie? Where was the first grand slam home run in organized baseball hit? Where is the oldest mini-golf in America located? Tell us the story of Binghamton's Kentucky Derby winner! Tell us the story about TV's "Mr. Ed" and his connection to Upstate New York! How could the oldest continuously operating Boy Scout troop be in a tiny Upstate New York village? And what was that controversy over famous singer Kate's Smith's Lake Placid, NY grave all about?

The answer to all of these questions and many more lie in Upstate New York.

Enjoy!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

30 "Head Scratching" Trivia Facts About Upstate New York

There are so many fascinating trivia facts about Upstate New York that one could write a book about it. Here are 30 interesting factoids about our region that will leave you scratching your head!

Everything had to start somewhere and Upstate New York was the birthplace of many commonly used items today and over the past 150 years. Things we love, like Pyrex dishware, things we play with, like the golf tee, and things we would rather not find ourselves sitting in, the modern dentist chair! Plus the 4th most favorite salad dressing in the US was born here, and America's favorite whipped topping is made here, too! All of these and many other trivial facts about people, places and things from Upstate New York make this a "must-read" gallery!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio