Those familiar with Skipper's Landing restaurant on the eastern shore of Great Sodus Bay - may be interested to know that this area was the site of a massive boat landing for agricultural shipping, as well as a sawmill. The site was called "Purdy's Landing" after renown evangelist property owner - Reverend Fay Hovey Purdy (1816-1894)

William G. Pomeroy Foundation Historic Marker for Purdy’s Landing/Sawmill.  

            Reverend Fay Hovey Purdy was a prominent land/business owner in the town of Huron during the late 19^thCentury.  Purdy owned property which included lot #451 of the Central New York State Military Tract (east of the Pre-Emption Line). A review of local abstracts reveals Purdy owned much of the east side of Sodus Bay from Military Tract lot # 451 to the shores of Lake Ontario to include Military Tract # 415 on Lake Ontario and Sodus Bay.  The property for this historic marker is located on Lake Bluff Road along the east side of Sodus Bay. A map of Huron from 1874 Wayne County Atlas depicts lot # 451 with a sawmill “Purdy’s Landing Sawmill”, and lot #415, formerly known as “Lake Bluff Campground”.

            Reverend Purdy was a well-known mid to late 19^th Century Methodist evangelist. He traveled throughout New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey delivering sermons and promoting the gospel of the Methodist Church.   

            In 1873, Reverend Purdy developed lot # 415 on the shores of Lake Ontario and Sodus Bay as a Religious Camp. By 1873, people from around New York State came to Sodus Bay to attend Reverend Purdy’s Summer Lake Bluff Camp revival meetings. The Lake Bluff area where Purdy held these camp meetings is now a private resort community with private access only. 

            A historic marker placed on the east side of Sodus Bay, along Lake Bluff Road at the site of the historic Purdy Sawmill will designate the site of the sawmill and location of Purdy’s Landing, as well as the significance of Reverend Purdy as an evangelist whose efforts helped to popularize Sodus Bay as a destination tourist spot during the late 1800s.