History

Before Ithaca College bought the land, South Hill used to be farmland and homesteads.  This is indicated by the rock walls (that are still present today) that were constructed by people who used to live there. The rock walls were put up because the area was used as pasture land. Past soil disturbance in the South Hill area has been postulated to have caused the growth of the rare sedges [Robert Wesley, Natural Areas Manager of Cornell Plantations]. 

In 1958, Ithaca College acquired enough money to move to South Hill. This was thanks to trustee Roland “Red” Fowler, who headed a committee that contributed a significant amount of money in order for Ithaca College to expand from downtown Ithaca to South Hill. The land that comprises the South Hill Natural Area was included in the land bought by Ithaca college. When part of the land became what is now campus, the other land was left.