Florence Rutter

Florence Rutter was a significant figure in the history of the Oxbow community, where she arrived in 1947 at the age of 21. During that time, the Oxbow was experiencing a renaissance of sorts, with a vibrant social life documented in a weekly newspaper feature "Oxbow Briefs," and a small tavern catering to patrons. However, it also had a reputation for trouble, which some residents sought to change through community initiatives.

"Flo" was part of the Oxbow Association, which aimed to unite residents for common causes such as maintenance projects and community activities. Her involvement in the Oxbow earned her the nickname of "The Oxbow Lady." The residents faced challenges such as maintaining the unpaved Oxbow Road and dealing with inadequate sanitary facilities. Despite the negative perceptions from outsiders, Rutter and others defended their community and worked to improve its image.

Over the years, Rutter witnessed the evolution of the Oxbow from a vacation spot to a year-round residential area. Despite the challenges, she remained devoted to her beloved waterfront community until her death in 2012 at the age of 86. Her cottage stood as the last reminder of the Oxbow's history until it burned down under suspicious circumstances.

The Oxbow itself evolved from a popular vacation spot to a residential area, with cottages originally built from dismantled railroad boxcars. However, economic changes, including the Great Depression, led to a decline in the community, marked by abandoned cottages and "suspicious" fires. The cottages that were not burned down in fires were demolished.

With Rutter's passing and the destruction of her cottage, the fate of the Oxbow remains uncertain. The Erie Canal still flows through the area, but without its former residents and their cottages, its future of the Oxbow is unknown.