DAYS 43-44: Spencerport to Brockport - Albion


Map from Spencerport, New York 14559 to Albion, New York 14411


Spencerport to Brockport:  7.2 miles; 1:12 hours
Brockport to Albion: 12.2 miles; 1:54 hours

Brockport, NY
I am including a bit on Brockport because it's really beautiful and I wish we had stayed there the night before Albion. The town has invested a great deal in redevelopment with a Victorian flair, it has more to offer by way of art, and restaurants. The docking is limited and looked like part of it had electric and water. When you are on your way, look over and make the decision then, what do you have to lose?


Albion, NY
FREE dock: electric, water, and a short walk through the local police and fire department parking lots to the bathrooms and shower. Our intended stop was Middleport but the Bridge Master advised us to stop here for the night because the Knowlsville Lift Bridge was having mechanical problems. 

The town has beautiful architecture to satisfy the inner photographer in you and a Greek Restaurant to stop you in your tracks (so the police chief tells me - never mind why I needed to meet him). The local coffee shop is a nice stop for a breakfast snack, good vibes, and music. We ended up meeting fellow Loopers, Beauty, and had a great time on the dock.

The boat card book we have was given to us by Beauty who had an extra.




Little known fact about Albion NY

For more than three decades, men who portrayed Santa traveled to Albion to learn how to play the role properly from the Santa School founder, Charles W. Howard, 1896-1966. Howard was the leading specialist regarding the holiday character and he lived his personal life accordingly.

Howard was an accomplished wooden toy maker. In the beginning, during the holiday season, he would make his wooden toys in the window of Merrril and Son Furniture. Children would watch from the window or head inside to interact with him.

Later, he played Santa at McCurdy’s Department Store in Rochester, NY and it just broke his lovin' heart; he couldn’t believe how unprofessional the other Santas behaved. As a result, in 1937, Howard opened his farm house to become the first Santa School. Santas from around the world came to Albion to learn the skills and mindset needed to play this holiday figure’s role for children.

From 1948-1965 he was the Santa Clause in the sleigh during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade; he was also hired as a consultant for the movie Miracle on 34th Street; really - who else were they going to ask? During his later years, in his hometown of Albion, he created the Christmas Park - which included a carousel and toy shop (of course).

The school and ownership have since moved and/or changed hands, but this is where learning to be a Santa all began. The first lesson he taught was to never promise a child anything because it might fall through at the last minute and Santa would be to blame - children need to believe.

*Carousels found their beginnings in upstate New York. 

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