Romulus
Romulus, NY offers scenic Seneca Lake views, agricultural heritage, wineries, and Sampson State Park, among New York’s most visited state parks. The town also features historic military connections, outdoor recreation, and peaceful Finger Lakes landscapes that attract visitors throughout the year.
- Sampson Naval Training Station trained more than 400,000 sailors during World War II, making it one of the largest naval training facilities in the United States.
- Portions of the former naval base became Sampson State Park, now one of the most visited parks in the New York State Parks system.
- The town was named after Romulus, the legendary founder and first king of Rome in ancient Roman mythology.
- The nearby Seneca Army Depot became nationally known for its rare herd of white deer that thrived within the former military installation.
- Christopher McDonald was born in Romulus and became widely known for portraying the iconic character Shooter McGavin in the comedy film Happy Gilmore.
- Admiral William T. Sampson, for whom Sampson Naval Training Station was named, gained national recognition for commanding American naval forces during the Spanish-American War.
- George J. Walker, served at Seneca Army Depot during his military career before later becoming a brigadier general.
The Town of Romulus, NY was established in 1832 from portions of the Town of Ovid and developed as an agricultural community between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Early settlers were drawn to the area’s fertile farmland, scenic lake views, and access to transportation routes that supported farming and commerce throughout the 19th century.
Romulus later became nationally significant during World War II with the establishment of the Sampson Naval Training Station on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. More than 400,000 sailors were trained at the facility during the war, making it one of the nation’s largest naval training centers at the time. Portions of the former base later became Sampson State Park, now one of the most visited parks in the New York State Parks system.
Today, Romulus is known for its agricultural heritage, wineries, outdoor recreation, and historic connections to military service and the Finger Lakes wine region.
